60 THK VICTORIAN NATURALIST 



country. I was fortunate enougli to find my first plant of tliis sp. 

 many years since, whilst on a collecting trip to the district around 

 Liake Cooper, although it had often been found before, and since by 

 many collectors. When in company with my old friend, Q. W. 

 Hobinson, of Berwick, a short time since, he found one in the ranges 

 near his house, and together we found several others, in what I believe 

 is quite a new locality for this plant. The whole specimen when 

 growing has somewhat of a withered look, and the galea or hood is 

 of a transparent nature, somewhat difficult for me to describe. The 

 stem bears from 2 to 4 flowers, which have a peculiar reddish 

 rppearance. This sp. is well worthy of cultivation, strong loam 

 being necessary to grow it successfully, with a limited supply of 

 ■water. Height from 3 to 6 inches. Founl in Queensland, 

 l^ew South Wales, Tasmania, also in y. and W.Australia. This 

 sj}. is very variable, and PterostyJis Mitchelli, is now considered but 

 a form of the above s/?. 



P. LONGIFOLIA, (R BrOWU.) 



A very fine and distinct sp., found in most moist parts of the 

 colony. It may be easily recognised by its long stem, linear leaves, 

 and, for its size, very small flowers. In the Ti-tree near Brighton 

 Eeach, tliis plant may be met with in patches, mostly in the most 

 secluded and out of the way places, and thus it is easily overlooked 

 by any but the enthusiastic collector, who is not afraid of a little 

 liard work in scrambling through the almost impenetrable scrub, 

 wliich in many places line the coast between Brighton and Frankston. 

 This sp. is ver}^ easy of removal, and it will thrive well with very 

 little care, blooming as a rule much earlier than when in its native 

 state. The irritability of the labelhnu of this orchid is more marked 

 than in any of the other Victorian sp., and it is less irritable when 

 wet, than when the flower is quite dry. To grow it well, use sandy 

 soil and leaf mould mixed, plenty of Avater and use an ordinary 

 flower pot, because the plant being tall, the tubers have a bettei* 

 hold tlian when grown in the usual shallow pan. This sp. is also 

 found growing inland, where it is invariably found in sheltered 

 places, often amongst the branches of fallen trees, and in such 

 positions it often attains a height of nearly 2 feet. The number of 

 flowers on the stem is usually from 3 to 5, or even 6. Flowers 

 from October to end of December. Found also in New South 

 Wales, Tasmania and South Australia. 



P. viTTATA, (Liudley.) 



This liandsome orchid was found in Victoria, (for the first time 

 I believe), by Mr. C. Walter, a former member of the Club, and a 

 well known professional plant collector, who has also made known 



