180 



Allied to M, repens^ from wliicli it differs in its unbranched erect habit and 

 scrobiculate leaves. 



In marshes, Onehunga. 



I have great pleasure in naming this pretty plant after Mr. Colenso, who 

 appears to have been its original discoverer. 



Corysanthes Cheesemanii, Hook, f, n. s. 



Root of small tubers on rather stout caudicles. Leaf membranous, sessile, 

 ^" in diameter, ovate-cordate, apiculate. Bract very short, rarely petaloid and 

 coloured. Flower -I" long, rarely more, sessile or shortly peduncled. Upper 

 sepal very large, helmet-shaped, curved over the lip, obovate, obtuse, rarely 

 acute. Lip involute, large, the margins enclosing the column, two-lobed at the 

 base, the lobes produced downwards into two horn-like processes, apex of the 

 lip recurved. Lateral sepals 0, or rarely concealed under the lip, and spirally 

 twisted. Petals minute or wanting, subulate, deflexed. Column stout, erect. 

 Anther terminal, persistent. Peduncle elongating after flowering, capsule 

 narrowed upwards, striate. 



Te Whau, 1865, T. K. Ourakei, Mr. T. F. Cheesemcm, 1867. Titirangi, 

 T. K. 



I obtained a few imperfect specimens of this interesting plant from the 

 Whau District about five years ago, but not in a fit state to allow of a 

 diagnosis being drawn. Mr. Cheeseman subsequently found it in some 

 quantity, and has kindly favoured me with good specimens and valuable notes, 

 of which I have availed myself in drawing the foregoing description. 



It is the earliest-flowering species in this colony, usually displaying its dull 

 purple flowers early in July. It will probably be found to have a wide range 

 of distribution. 



All the species of Corysanthes previously discovered in New Zealand 

 belong to the sub-genus Nematoceras, Hook. f. The present species belongs to 

 the typical section of the genus. 



