THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 59 



samly soil, than to run the risk of damaging them, which often 

 happens when lifting them out of hard loam. In the months of 

 April and May, the radical rosette-like leaves of this sp. may be 

 easily seen if carefully looked far, as its bright green color contrasts 

 distinctly with the dark color of the Epacris scrubs where it grows, 

 and thus renders it easy of detection. To grow it well, use sandy 

 soil mixed with decayed vegetable mould; put say 24 tubers in a 

 shallow pot or pan, water well, and be careful as to drainage. This 

 orchid is Avell worth cultivating, and will seed freely if taken care of. 

 It is widely distributed throughout the colony, although by no 

 means to be considered a common plant. Flowers from October to 

 December. Height from 4 to 10 inches. P. squamata is synomous 

 with this sp. Found also in S. and W. Australia, Tasmania, and 

 in New Zealand. 



P. MUTicA, (R. Brown.) 



A small flowered and singular sp., often found growing in dry- 

 districts. The general appearance of this plant is quite distinct; 

 from that of any of the Victorian sp , the whole plant having an 

 erect habit, and a very faded look, the little green flowers often 

 partaking of the same feature. When Mr. Best and myself were 

 on our Murray trip, we found a large number of specimens of this 

 orchid, growing in the yellow sand of the dreary Frenella, or pine 

 scrubs, a country, which, by the Avay, must be a cheerful place to be 

 "bushed" in. I again remark the large tubers attached to this 

 little plant, and as in the cnse of P. ruja, I suppose it is the same 

 here. This sp. is barely worthy of cultivation, excepting for the 

 completion of a collection, it being very inconspicuous, and not at 

 all uncommon, being found also near Melbourne, and in many other 

 parts of the colony. To grow it, use sandy loam well pressed down, 

 and water sparingly. The spike has from 5 to 9 flowers, borne in a 

 soi't of an erect raceme, if such a term be allowable. Height from 

 3 to 8 inches. Flowers from September to November. Found also 

 in New South Walos, Queensland, Tasmania, and South Australia. 



P. RUFA, (R. Brown.) 



This is another gem amongst the Fterostylis, and although not 

 quite so distinct and handsome as the preceding sp.^ it is of muck 

 rarer occurrence. It is a strange fact that this plant is found neaily 

 always in the hardest and driest soil, so hard and dry, indeed, that 

 the wonder is how it can exist at all during a scorching summer, and 

 generally, its habitat is in the hottest parts of the colony. It seems 

 to be a wise provision of nature, that this little plant is furnished 

 with (for its size), very large tubers, which, no doubt, enables it 

 better to witlistand tlie great heat and long droughts of the Murray 



