THE VICTORIA.^ NATURALIST. 79 



Before closing my remarks on this genus, I may make mention 

 of A. inridis, a very elegant and delicate sp. found in Tasmania, 

 where Dr, Dobson tells me he found it growing on dripping rocks, 

 and on damp logs in fern gullies. I have one specimen in my 

 collection, for the possession of which I am indebted to our late 

 president, the Hon. F. S. Dobson, M.L.C. This sp. will, in all 

 probability, yet be found in this colony. 



Eriochilds, (R. Brown.) 

 Dorsal sepal erect, slightly incurved and concave; petals nearly 

 as long, usually narrower, erect or spreading. Labellum mucli 

 shorter, with a narrow, concave erect claw. Column erect, the front 

 angles sometimes ciliate, or very narrowly winged. Anther erect, 

 not mucronate, 2-celled. Leaf solitary at the base of, or higher up 

 the stem. Flowers 1 or more, nearly sessile on a scape or peduncle. 

 E. AUTUMNALis, (R. Brown.) 

 A slender plant, rarely exceeding 6 inches, more or less glandular 

 pubescent. Leaf radical, ovate, acute, usually dying away before 

 time of flowering. Flowers solitary, or 2 or 3 rather distant. 

 Dorsal sepal erect. Labellum about half as long as the lateral 

 sepals, with an erect, conclave, narrow claw. Column shorter than 

 the dorsal sepal. 



This pretty little harbinger of the orchid season, makes its 

 appearance, say from IMarch to June, and I have often found it 

 still later on. It may be easily recognised, even without referring 

 to tlie abbreviated description taken from the '' Flora," and given 

 above, as its pinlcy white flowers are sure to attract the attention o£ 

 collectoi's, and it cannot be well mistaken^for any other orchid. In 

 the grassy country in and about the ranges, it may be foundiin. 

 large numbers, being much more common there than it is at 

 Brighton and elsewliere near the coast, although very fine and 

 isolated specimens are met with in tlic Ti-tree at Brighton, &c. 

 To grow it well, place a number of tubers in a shallow pot or pan, 

 vrith a mixture of loam and sand, and when growing, Ewater freely. 

 Although this little plant flowers in many instances without the 

 leaves, still you will often find it otherwise, the leaves often remaining 

 above ground till later in the summer. I have noticed a great 

 difference in the leaves of this orchid, as sometimes they have t^uite 

 a glabrous appearance, and at others the surface is thickly covered 

 witli little white hairs. Tbis is a general favourite, and should be 

 in every collection of native orchids. Epipactis cucullata, LabilL, 

 and Eriochilus cucullata, Reichenbach, are synonomous with this 

 sp. Found also in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, 

 and Tasmania. Mr. T. Sloane, of Mulwala, has sent me a very 

 sturdy form of this sp., found in the pine scrubs on the Murray. 



{To be Continued.) 



