151 



Pterostylis humilis, n. sp. Planta robusta, perbrevis, 

 2-3. cm. alta. Folia 4-6, rosulata v. subrosulata, sessilia, 

 imbricata, 0*5 -2'5 cm. longa, ovata v. oblonga. Flos unicus, 

 sessilis; ovarium basibus foliorum in parte obtectum. Sepalum 

 dorsale ovato-lanceolatum, circiter 15 mm., longum cum petalis 

 connivens. Galea subangusta, ap'ce acutiuscula. Labium 

 inferius oblongo-cuneatum, erectum, sinu acutissimo, lobi 

 subulati circiter 13 mm. longi galeam multo superantes. 

 Labellum unguiculatum, lineari-oblongumi, ad apicem ob- 

 tusum sensim contractum; lamina circiter 11 mm. longum, 

 linea longitudinalis elevata in medio; appendix linearis, 

 curvata, penicillata. Columna circiter 10 mm. longa; anthera 

 terminalis, obtusa, bilocularis, erectiuscula ; lobi supenores 

 laciniarum breves lineares, inferiores longi falcati acutissimi. 

 Stigma perprominens, infra columnam mediam, late cordatum, 

 lobis distinctissimis. 



A rather stout plant of low stature, arising from two 

 more or less conical or globose tubers. Leaves (in the flower- 

 ing stage) 4-6, rosulate or subrosulate, sessile, sheathing, 

 imbricate ; lamina of varying length, oblong, ovate or oblong- 

 ovate. Flower solitary apparently sessile, the ovary partly 

 hidden by the sheathing bases of the leaves. Dorsal sepal 

 ovate-lanceolate, about 15 mm. long (when extended), con- 

 nivent with the petals to form a rather narrow erect galea, 

 apex of galea rather acute but not prolonged into a filiform 

 point. The base of the lower lip oblong-cuneate, erect; lobes 

 subulate (hardly filiform), including a very acute sinus, 

 embracing the galea. Labellum reddish-brown, on a movable 

 irritable claw, oblong-linear, tapering a little towards a very 

 blunt and slightly recurved tip ; lamina traversed by a raised 

 longitudinal line with a corresponding groove below; basal 

 appendage linear, curved, penicillate. Column (extended) 

 about 10 mm. long. Anther terminal, bilocular, quite blunt, 

 rather erect. Wings of column with a short linea,r upper 

 lobe or tooth; the lower lobe long, falcate, very acute. Stigma 

 very prominent, situated below the middle of the column ; its 

 two lobes very distinct, together forming a broadly cordate 

 disk'. Rostellum linear-oblong situated between the bases of 

 the anther loculi and connect-ed to the stigma by a split tube. 



New Zealand: The Haunted Whare, near Waimarino 

 (H. B. Matthews). 



Mr. Matthews states that his specimens were removed 

 from their natural habitat near the base of Ruapehu (within 

 three miles of perpetual snow), and cultivated in Auckland, 

 200 miles north of their native locality. He thinks that the 

 change to abnormal conditions may have produced a dwarfed 

 growth in the plant. Along with his spirit specimens, he 



