127 



This plant is a close ally of P. mutica, Br., from which, 

 however, it differs in habit, the latter being a much more 

 slender plant, generally with four or five basal leaves, which 

 are not crowded, and with less crowded flowers. The labellar 

 appendage, a conspicuous feature in the two plants, is quite 

 different in shape and direction in each case. In P. mutica 

 it is fleshy, oblong, recurved, looking towards the base of the 

 labellum ; in P. cycnocephala it is pyramidal and looks towards 

 the tip of the labellum. The claw of the labellum is rela- 

 tively very long in P. mutica, being about the same length as 

 the labellum itself; in the other species it is short. In Fitz- 

 gerald's species the stigma is ovate-lanceolate with the point 

 uppermost; in Brown's plant it is narrow-elliptical. 



Capsules of seed are produced freely in this plant. 



Hitherto it has only been recorded from New South 

 Wales, but last year I received very fine specimens from Vic- 

 toria. One of these was 7 in. in height and had a raceme of 

 thirteen flowers. Fitzgerald speaks of a specimen bearing 

 twenty-four flowers. The only locality in which I have 

 obtained it in South Australia is Monarto South, growing in 

 mallee scrub in sandy soil. It blossoms early in September. 



Pterostylis parviflora, Br. 



This plant has been recorded in all the Eastern States and 

 Tasmania, but not hitherto from South Australia. It seems 

 to be a somewhat elusive species so far as this State is con- 

 cerned. Twice only have I received it, and in both instances 

 the specimens were imperfect. The first specimen was col- 

 lected by Mr. E. Ashby in the swamps of Myponga nine years 

 ago. The second was found at Yatala Vale four years ago. 

 These localities have been carefully searched many times since, 

 but without success. 



The time of blooming was stated in both cases to be 

 December. 



Description. — Plant very slender, 3 in. to 7 in., with 

 (rarely) or without basal leaves. When present these appear 

 in the form of a lateral tuft of two to four diminutive, petio- 

 late, ovate leaves. There are usually three acute sheathing 

 bracts on the stem in addition to those subtending the flowers. 

 Flowers one to seven, on short pedicels, subtended by a bract, 

 small, green, looking towards the central axis of the stem, 

 except where terminal. Galea three and a half to four and a 

 half lines, much incurved, hardly acuminate. Conjoined 

 sepals erect, with shortly acuminate points. Lahellum on 

 movable claw, oblong with rather blunt tip, raised longi- 

 tudinal mesial line on lamina ; appendage recurved, termin- 

 ating in a few set« : reaching to about the same height as the 



