194 NEOTINEA INTACTA IN COUNTY CLAKE, 



usually studded with small wart-like protuberances. Paraphyses 

 none. The spores are elliptical, and, as in most lichens and fungi, 

 variable in size, hence constituting a minor factor in the dis- 

 crimination of species. The measurements of various authors are 

 as follows :— (Nylander) 12-16 x 7-8/* ; (Leighton) 13-15 x 7-8 ft; 

 (Hepp) 12-20 (M long, 2-3| times as long as broad; (Th. Fries) 

 13-16 x 8-9 /a, yellowish. Cumbrae, Little Cumbrae, and Loch 

 Goil Head, on the west ; Bummouth and Eyemouth, on the east 

 of Scotland. . . . 



Plate 324, fig. 7, ascus and spores of Verrucaria maura ) x 400. 



It is highly probable that careful search on our maritime rocks, 

 even quite down to low-water mark, would add considerably to our 

 marine Lichen-flora. 



NEOTINEA INTACTA IN COUNTY CLARE. 



By H. C. Levinge, M.A. 



In the middle of May of this year I started on a short tour in 

 the limestone district of Clare, comprising the northern portion of 

 the county, adjoining the Bay of Gal way, and known as the Burren 

 district, the principal object I had in view being to ascertain how 

 far that rare little orchid, Neotinea intaeta, extended in that part of 

 the country. On my way I stopped for one day at Castle Taylor, 

 in the Co. Galway, where my friend Mr. A. G. More had formerly 

 found the Neotinea; but I regret to say that, after many hours' 

 diligent search in the locality indicated by him, I was unable to 

 re-discover it. More success, however, attended my search in the 

 neighbourhood of Bally vaughan, where it was found to extend from 

 about six miles west to about three miles east of that town. I also 

 gathered it at Glanquin, where it was first observed by the late 

 Mr. Corry. This is the wildest and most unfrequented part of 

 Burren, about nine miles in a direct line from Bally vaughan, and 

 perhaps more than double that distance by road. The flowers of 

 this plant have been described as of a delicate pink colour; but all 

 that I observed were rather of a creamy white. This difference 

 between the actual and the described colour of the flowers has 

 probably led to doubts as to the true name of the plant, which had 

 been previously gathered, but not identified, by Mr. P. B. O'Kelly 

 and other botanists. In fact, it was not until I had referred speci- 

 mens to Mr. More that I felt fully satisfied as to the identity of the 

 Burren plant. It cannot be said that this little orchid — a most 

 important item in the Irish Flora — is really plentiful; miles of 

 country may be walked over without finding a single plant ; but in 

 certain localities it is not uncommon, and it was observed to grow 

 on loamy pastures, in the grass on rocky plateaus, and in heathery 

 and stony fields. Doubtless careful search would be rewarded by 

 finding it in other parts of the limestone districts of Galway and 

 Clare ; but I had hot time to spare for further investigation, and 

 the weather during my visit was stormy and wet. 



