1902.] J. F. Dathie — Some new species of Orcliideee. 37 



II. — Descriptions of some new species of Orcliideae from North-West and 

 Central India. — By J. F. DuTHiE, B.A., F.L.S., Director, Botanical 

 Department, North India, 



[Received 25th November, 1901. Head 4tli December, 1901. ] 



Since the publication in 1898 of the four volumes on the Sikkira 

 orchids by Sir George King and Mr. R. Pantling, I have been engaged 

 during my spare time in the preparation of a similar work on the 

 orchids of North-West and Central India. As, owing to more pressing 

 work, there may be some delay in its completion, I have decided to 

 publish at once the descriptions of some new species, which have been 

 discovered within the period during which I have been able to make a 

 special study of the subject. 



For the greater portion of the material, on which the following des- 

 criptions are based I am indebted to my friend, Mr. P. W. Mackinnon, 

 who for many years has taken a keen interest in the botany, and espe- 

 cially the orchids, of the Mussoorie district. Also, by his having 

 carefully trained some intelligent hillmen in his service to work as 

 collectors, some very interesting results have been obtained. I wish to 

 express also my appreciation of Sir William Thiselton-Dyer's kindness 

 in allowing me to consult Mr. R. A. Rolfe, the eminent orchidologist 

 at the Royal Herbarium at Kew, from whom I have received great 

 assistance. 



1. MiCROSTTLTS Mackinnoni Duthie, n. sp. 



Whole plant 1-1*7 dm. high. Stem 3-4 cm., swollen below and 

 rising from the base of the previous year's pseudo-bulb ; lower portion 

 enclosed within the leaf-sheaths. Leaves 2 or 3, horizontal, unequal in 

 size, the larger one about 6 cm. long and 4 cm. broad, ovate, obtuse, 

 3-7-nerved, cordate and amplexicaul at the base, fleshy ; upper surface 

 dark brownish-green ; main nerves 3-7, prominent beneath and purple- 

 coloured, the interspaces raised above, and giving the whole leaf a 

 bullate appearance. Scape reddish-purple, sharply 4-angular. Raceme 

 shorter than the scape ; bracts subulate, persistent, reflexed, 

 longer than the ovary. Flowers sessile, very small, reddish-purple, 

 resupinate. Dorsal sepal ovate-lanceolate, subacute ; lateral shorter, 

 subfalcate, edges of all reflexed. Petals linear, shorter than the 

 sepals, much reflexed. Basal and apical portions of lip divided by 

 a raised rim, basal lobes falcately ovate-lanceolate, contiguous, or over- 

 lapping at the tips ; apical portion of lip deeply bifid and protruded, 

 deep crimson-purple. Colunn with fleshy rounded arms. Anther with 

 a truncate or emarginate lip. Ovary clavate, curved, not twisted. 



