347 • 



This orchid has a very characteristic habit, and the 

 impression gained from its examination in the field is apt to 

 be very different to that obtained from a herbarium specimen. 

 In spite of its large labellnm with the beautiful deep reddish- 

 purple divergent lines,^ it may easily escape observation, 

 because this organ is carried erect, or nearly vertical, against 

 the column. Its lamina is comparatively flat with slightly 

 depressed margins. The dorsal sepal is erect, or but slightly 

 recurved from the column; all the other perianth segments 

 are acutely and closely reflexed against the ovary. Con- 

 sequently the collector looking down on this plant sees very 

 little to attract his attention. This has led to confusion in 

 the eastern States between it and other Caladenia^, which 

 though of very different habit, bear a more or less close 

 resemblance to it in the dried state. The eastern plants 

 generally have a more or less spreading labellum and perianth 

 segments (except the dorsal sepal), which give them a totally 

 different appearance when growing to F. v. Miieller's species. 

 Hence it is thought advisable to supplement the description 

 appearing in the ''Flora Australiensis," by further details 

 derived from a careful examination of the type specimen in 

 the National Herbarium, Melbourne. The fype was collected 

 from the "Base of Stirling Range, W.A., in basaltic valleys, 

 October, 1867." 



In addition to the features referred to above, viz., lateral 

 sepals and petals appressed against the ovary, erect dorsal 

 sepal and vertical labellum, it is noted that the extreme tips 

 of both lateral and dorsal sepals bear a number of minute 

 hairs. This appears to be rather a peculiar but constant 

 feature which the writer has observed in all specimens 

 examined from Western Australia. The labellum is ovate, 

 its extreme apex edged by a narrow dark callous border or 

 "binding" already described under G. cordiformis, d. 331 

 of this paper. Calli in two rows occupying posterior half of 

 the lamina. No basal yellow glands at base of column, but 

 two horizontal rows of small glandular hairs in their place. 

 Anther blunt, without a point. 



Measurements: — Lateral sepals 12'75 mm. long x '6-2 

 mm. wide, lanceolate. Dorsal sepal linear, with a point not 

 very sharp, 1275 mm. long x 1 mm. in widest part. Lateral 

 petals lanceolate, 11*6 mm. long x 1"5 mm. in widest part. 

 Labellum (including claw) 10' 6 mm. x 8'5 mm. wide. Column 

 9'5 mm. long. The average measurements of a large number 

 of specimens collected on the Porongorup Mountains are as 

 follows and are interesting as showing how little variation 

 actually occurs in the relative size of the parts: — Lateral 

 sepals, 1275 mm. x 2 mm. wide (maximum); dorsal sepal, 



