CLASS XX. ORDER I. ] SPIRANTHES. 112] 
Perennial; flowering in May and June. 
This remarkable species of Orchis has much the general aspect of 
the Orobanche, and like the Limodorum abortivum, grows in the 
shade of woods amongst decayed roots and leaves. This species is 
not unfrequent in the mountainous districts of the Continent, and is 
destitute of leaves, but of greenish violet colour. 
GENUS IX. SPIRAN'THES.—Ricu. Lady's Tresses. 
Nat. Ord. OrcHID'Ex. Juss. 
GEN. Cuar. Sepals and petals coloured, converging parallel with the 
lip. Zip included within the lateral segments, entire, unquicu- 
late, with two fleshy projections at the base. Column taper, 
elub-shaped, free, with two teeth at the apex. Stigma promi- 
nent, rostrate—Name from crspx, spiral; av9os, flower ; in 
allusion to the spiral form of the inflorescence. 
1. S. autumna'lis, Richard. (Fig. 1344.) Autumnal Lady's Tresses. 
Stem leafless, ‘sheathed; radical leaves ovate, or ovate oblong, con- 
tracted into a footstalk; spike spirally twisted; lip obovate, emar- 
ginate. 
Lindley, Synopsis, p. 257.-Ophrys spiralis, Linn.—English 
Botany, t. 541.—Neottia spiralis, Sw.—English Flora, vol. iv. p. 36.— 
Hooker, British Flora, ed. 4. vol. i. p. 318. 
Tubers two or three, large, ovate, oblong, downy. Stem erect, 
radical, from four to eight inches high, sheathed, with membranous 
taper pointed bractea. Leaves radical, tufted, ovate, or ovate oblong, 
contracted at the base into a footstalk, mid-rib stout, and the lateral 
veins several, parallel, netted. Inflorescence a terminal spiral spike of 
numerous small flowers, all turned to one side, highly fragrant, and 
in a single row, downy, as well as the upper part of the stem. 
Bractea ovate, with a long taper point. Sepals pale, greenish white, 
ovate lanceolate, one above, and two meeting under the lip. Petals 
oblong, parallel with the lip, and converging with the upper sepal. 
Lip obovate, scarcely longer than the sepals, with a short claw, and 
haying at the base two fleshy projections. Column tapering to the 
base, globose at the top, with two tapering teeth at the apex. Stigma 
prominent, rostrate. Anthers parallel with the stigma. Capsule 
ovate, tumid, three ribbed, on a short footstalk. 
Habitat—Dry open hilly pastures in various parts of England, 
especially in a chalky or sandy soil. 
Perennial; flowering in August and September. 
2. &. estiva'lis, Rich. (Fig. 1845.) Summer Lady's Tresses. Stem 
leafy ; leaves linear, or oblong lanceolate ; spike spirally twisted ; lip 
oblong, ovate, entire. 
