THE TASMANIAN FLORA. 201 



linear, and directed forwards. Labellum and oolnmn similar to the last, only 

 the former covered witli shiny black nodulations. 



Kingston, hills near "Waterworks (Hobart) ; near George's Bay. It occurs also 

 in New South Wales. Fl. Jan. 



16. ACIANTHUS. 



Three outer segments of the perianth much exceeding the inner pair. 

 Lahellum entire, rhomboid or ovate, with 2 tubercles near the base. Column 

 narrow, slender, erect or bent forward, winged or wingless. Anther valvular. 



The genus contains about 5 species, 4 of which are confined to Australia and 



1 to Ifew Zealand distribution. 



Leaf red beneath, sessile at the base of the stem. 



Perianth exceeding 1 inch ... ... ... ... 1. A. caudatus. 



Perianth about ^ inch ... ... ... ... 2. A. exsertu^. 



Leaf pale beneath, on a long stalk. Stem bearing a 



leaf-like bract about the upper third ... ... .3. A. viridis. 



1. A. CAUDATUS, JR. Br. Leaf solitary, at the base of the stem, sessile, stem- 

 clasping, cordate, about 1 inch in diameter, deep red beneath. Stem about 

 4 inches long. Flowers usually 2 or 3, shortly stalked, deep red. Outer 

 perianth linear, attenuated, from 1-2 inches long, the upper one erect ; inner pair 

 linear-lanceolate, about 2 lines long, bent back. Labellnm. rhomboid, acute, 

 about 3-4 lines long. Column slender, about 2 lines long, curved forward, very 

 narrowly winged. 



Near Kingston, George's Bay. Common in many situations, chiefly in the 

 north. It also occurs in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. 

 Fl. Oct. 



2. A. EXSEBTUS, R. Br. Leaf solitary, at the base of the stem, sessile, stem- 

 -clasping, cordate, about |-f inch diameter, deep red beneath. Stem 2-4 inches 

 high. Flowers small, 4-10, deep red. Outer segments spreading, about 3 lines 

 long, the base ovate, the apex slender, upper one erect ; inner pair about 1 line 

 long, bent back. Labellum ovate, sessile, smooth on the upper surface, except 

 the prominent pair of basal glands, about 2 lines long. Column curved forward, 

 about li line long, wingless, terete, but with a prominent enlargement at the 

 base. Stigma prominent, close below the anther. 



Common in many parts near Hobart, Cascades, Mt. Nelson Range, Bellerive, 

 Kingston, &c. ; Swanport, George's Bay, Circular Head. Probably very common, 

 but overlooked. It also occurs in extra-tropical Australia. Fl. June. 



The descriptions of this and A. caudatm are intended to apply to the 

 typical forms found in Tasmania, where they depart somewhat from 

 R. Brown's descriptions. 



8. A. TiEXDis, Hook. Leaf ovate-cordate, about \ inch long, crenate, on a 

 stalk usually 1 inch long, arising from the creeping rhizome close to the 

 flowering-stem. Stem 4-6 inches long, bearing a solitary, leaf-like, sheathing 

 bract above the middle. Flowers usually 2, shortly stalked, pale green tinged 

 with red • outer segments 2-3 lines long, linear to lanceolate, the • upper one 

 longest, erect, but curved rather forward ; inner pair about | inch long, bent 

 back. Labellum broadly rhomboid, with rounded angles, concave above, about 



2 lines long ; the pair of basal calli narrow, flat, and longitudinally placed, curved 

 inwards. t)olumn about 1| line long, broadly Twinged, especially close below the 

 anther, where it forms a prominent angle. Pollen mealy. Stigma forming a 

 prominent protuberance close below the anther. 



Common on the south-eastern slope of Mount Wellington, Native Tier, 

 Uxbridge. Fl. Nov.-Feb. 



