209 



lum every facility is also afforded for fertilization by in- 

 sects. The stigmatic surface in P. Austral e is large, promi- 

 nent, and somewhat pentagonal in shape. 



The flowers are sweet-scented, and the lateral index is 

 about 91. 



It blooms in this State in December. 



The distribution of this species seems to be very local- 

 ized. It is invariably found in swampy or wet ground, and 

 has been recorded so far only from the swamp country 

 around Myponga, Mount Compass, and Mylor ; from Grun- 

 thal, Glenelg River, and Kangaroo Island. In the latter 

 place it was found growing in the damp ground in the bed 

 of the Harriet River. 



i. P. elatum, R. Br. PL viii., ligs. 8 to 15. 



This species calls for little comment. I have known it 

 to reach a height of 4 ft., which is considerably higher than 

 mentioned in Bentham. All shades of colour are to be met 

 Avith in the flowers, from a pale-green to a dark-purple or 

 almost black. The latter colour prevails in the Kangaroo 

 Island variety, which is locally known as the "black-boy." 



Occasionally in very hot, dry weather I have found tJie 

 lateral sepals free. The caudicle in this species is long, white, 

 and strap-shaped. The stigmatic surface is large and trian- 

 gular-ovate. 



Lateral index about 95. 



It blooms in November, and is distributed widely 

 throughout the Mount Lofty Ranges, Victor Harbour district, 

 and Kangaroo Island. 



5. P. odoratum, Rogers, sp. voo. Pj. ix.B, tigs. 1 to 9. 



This plant has hitherto been regarded as a mere variety 

 of P. ■patens, from which, however, it differs in habit, scent, 

 and many important particulars. 



Plant usually tall and robust, from 1 to 3 ft. high, stem 

 often pinkish towards the base. 



Ovary turgid, lying close to or diverging but slightly 

 from the axis of the spike, very shortly stalked, subtended 

 by a small ovate-lanceolate bract. 



Fistula H to 2 in. below the spike, lamina of leaf of 

 varying length, often reaching beyond the spike. 



Spike not crowded; flowers, from 5 to 20. 



Flowers pink and white, strongly and sweetly scented. 



Lateral sepals free, about 5 lines, green or pinkish, di- 

 lated at base, concave on the top with cylindrical points, 

 very divergent. 



