LEPTORCHIS 127 



channel which guides the insect to the curved and capped 

 column. That little projective cap on the anther would, we 

 think, be easily knocked off by a fly backing away and 

 flying upward from his feast, and if it exudes when touched 

 a viscid drop, as do other of the twayblade, the pollen masses 

 would be drawn out and would stick fast to the insect's head. 



This is a genus worth knowing and watching, for it gives 

 an opportunity for original observation. 



There are about one hundred species of Leptorchis 

 growing in temperate and tropical regions, but only two are 

 found in the Northern and Eastern States. 



KEY TO THE SPECIES OF LEPTORCHIS 



Raceme many flowered, lip as long as 



the petals. i. Large Twayblade. 



Raceme few flowered, lip shorter than 



the petals. 2. Loesel's Twayblade. 



I. LARGE TWAYBLADE 



Leptorchis liliifolia (L.) Kuntze. (Plate XLVIII.) 



The Lily-leafed Twayblade is the translated common 

 name that is more often given to this species than the name 

 Large Twayblade. It is only large when near its smaller 

 relative. Its stem varies from four to ten inches in height. 

 The two oval ribbed leaves rise from the bulb, sheathing the 

 stem loosely. 



The raceme is sometimes six inches long and with a great 

 many flowers for so small a plant. They stand well off 



