Malaxis longifolia. 13 



of its length, bearing an oblong spike of scattered flowers of a siskin- 

 green colour, the lateral petals being straw-yellow : spike generally 

 ten-flowered. Petals linear. Germ short, being one-third the length of 

 those of Malaxis liliifolia. Lip half the length of the petals, a struc- 

 ture in which this species differs strikingly from the one just men- 

 tioned, in which it is broad-spathulated, plane, or rather Somewhat 

 convex, and longer than the petals. Grows at the roots and under 

 the shade of large trees in damp woods ; flowering in June. 



The term Malaxis was applied by Professor Swartz to a new and 

 very distinct genus of the orchidean tribe, established by Dr. Solan- 

 der and himself. The word ^Aaf,?. expresses softness, and seems to 

 allude to the delicacy of habit and structure which marks these plants. 



I discovered this species June nth, 1815, while herborizing in the 

 neighbourhood of this city, in the woods bordering the Schuylkill near 

 Mantua village, and not more than a quarter of a mile from Market 

 street Permanent Bridge. At that time, though I made a diligent 

 search, no more than a single individual presented itself. On my re- 

 turn home I made the drawing from which the plate has been en- 

 graved. On the 15th of the same month I met with two more speci- 

 mens in full flower, and two past florescence, the seed-vessel being 

 formed: and on the 16th read a description of the plant, accom- 

 panied with the drawing, to the Philosophical Society. The communi- 

 cation was referred to a committee of botanists, who reported an opi- 



VOL. III. 4 



