280 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [SEPTEMBER, 1922+ 
row of tall oak trees, and were thus protected from the heat of the mid-day 
sun. The poorest plants were those nearest the trunks of the trees, the 
best ones about 100 feet away in partial shade, after which the plants were 
gradually poorer, and with shorter spikes, as they became less and less 
protected by the shade of the trees. The following season I searched the 
same meadow, but failed to find a specimen, due, I believe, to the fact that 
chemical manure had been applied during the winter. However the plants 
have since reappeared, although somewhat less in number. The foliage of 
this species lacks the shining green nature of O. mascula. 
In the month of June my excursions always include visits to open woods 
in search of Habenaria bifolia, the Butterfly Orchid. The erect spikes of 
about a foot or more in height bear whitish flowers with the long spur so 
characteristic of the genus. The flowers are fragrant, the more so after an 
evening shower of rain. The broad foliage of this species is noticeable at a 
much earlier period of the year, and I never remember a season in which 
the apical half of the leaves had not been severely injured by frost, yet no 
apparent harm was done to the general welfare of the plant. I have more 
than once wondered why some expert has not crossed this species with one 
of the warmer growing Habenarias that are cultivated under glass. 
The Sussex Downs prove a good locality for the interesting Ophrys 
apifera, commonly called the Bee Orchid, in allusion to the remarkable 
resemblance which the lip of the flower has to a bee. In distinguishing it 
from other members of the genus, I find the little hook-like appendage on 
the tip of the column most useful. Varieties seem scarce, but a friend once 
discovered a pretty form having white sepals and petals, the former with 2. 
median green line, and the lip light green. It constitutes the rare albino 
variety. Knowing how this plant has a liking for chalky soil, I have 
endeavoured on several occasions to transport specimens to my garden, © 
always accompanying the removal with some of the surrounding chalk, but 
always reaping failure. I know not the reason, unless it be an unsuitable 
atmosphere. . 
Listera ovata, the Tway-blade Orchid, is easily found if search be made 
in very moist and shady places. The fibrous root system, instead of tubers, 
suggests that it makes but little provision to conserve the necessities of life, 
hence continual moisture is indispensable. The green-coloured flowers, 
although by no means attractive, possess an interest all their own, for, as 
Darwin has pointed out, if the crest of the rostellum be touched ever Ss 
lightly a large drop of fluid is immediately expelled. Plants in my garden ~ 
have done well so long as I kept them very moist, but neglect in this matter 
during a dry summer was the cause of their disappearance before the 
following year. 
_ Lonce received a note from a friend inviting me to visit his shrubbery - 
