14 Mai axis longifolia. 



nion that the plant was identical with Ophrys Loeselii of Europe, 

 and decided against publishing it under this impression. On the 

 13th of June, 1816, during an excursion with my class, near Mantua 

 village, I detected four more specimens, and two others were found by 

 two of the pupils accompanying me. Since that period 1 have annu- 

 ally found the plant growing along the course of the Schuylkill on the 

 west side, in damp shady woods of rich soil. It is, however, rare, 

 and rather local, and from its herbaceous hue is not easily seen even 

 when in flower. Mr. NuttaD found it in the summer of 1818 on the 

 VA'issahiccon creek, near Longstreth's mills. In all the specimens 

 found, the characters have been constant ; and the only deviation 

 which has occurred in those I have chanced to meet with, is in 

 the size, several specimens having flowered when no more than three 

 inches high. The leaves are usually, particularly in the smaller spe- 

 cimens, much longer than the scape, which has induced me to affix 

 the specific appellation of longifolia, in lieu of the indiscriminative 

 one by which I first designated it in the Prodromus Florae Philadel- 

 phia. 



This Malaxis delights in the same kind of soil and situation in which 

 the other two American species of the genus are found. It grows in 

 company with Malaxis liliifolia, Malaxis unifolia, Hyosccris amplexi- 

 caulis, Ophioglussum vulgare, Botrypus virginicus, Onoclea sensi- 

 blilis, and other plants delighting in orchidcan ground. It flowers 

 about the second week of June, and continues in flower many days 

 without much withering. 



