130 ) THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST 
being carefully gathered up. Before the expiry of the short time I 
have mentioned, there would be signs of a general break up in the camp. 
One of the birds, which had got his share of the terrible poison, 
would essay flight, but before he had sailed many yards would be 
seized -with convulsions. Down he would thud on the ground, 
every crow would arise with a loud discordant cry, circling over and 
around, whilst now and then others would drop, or fly reeling away 
to die. The uproar might last for half an hour, after which the 
terrible din, which requires to be heard to be realised, would subside. 
Would any of the surviving birds touch that sheep again? no not 
one, in a spirit of negative generosity, they relegated it to the 
ubiquitous Polystominide. 
ORCHIDEA OF VICTORIA. 
By C. French, F.L.S., Department of Government Botanist. 
(Part 8.) 
(Read before the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, June 10th, 1885) 
Microris, (R. Brown.) 
Dorsat sepal erect, broad, incurved, concave; lateral sepals as long 
or shorter, lanceolate or oblong, spreading or recurved, petals usually 
narrower, incuryved or spreading. Labellum sessile, oblong. Column 
very short, with 2 small wings behind the stigma. Anther erect, 
2-celled, pollen masses granular, stigma obtuse, or with a rostrum 
shorter than the anther. Leaf solitary. Flowers small, green or 
whitish, usually uumerous in a terminal spike. 
Microris porrironia. (Sprengel.) 
This common and most cosmopolitan species will be known to 
most collectors by its very strong resemblance in appearance to 
young onions. It makes its appearance early in spring, and im 
strong soil sometimes attains a height of 18 or 20 inches. The 
flowers are of a pale green color, not unlike some of the more 
slender forms of Prasophyllum, but differing from that genus mm 
many respects. It may be looked for in open, grassy country, 
although it is equally common on heathy flats, &e. This sp., 
excepting for a botanical collection, is of little value, and although 
easily cultivated, it dries badly. M. porréfolia, is the largest as well 
as the best marked indigenous sp. To grow it, use sandy loam, 
well pressed down, with plenty of water while in active growth. 
