286 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [SEPTEMBER, 1908. 
when I observed part of what was apparently a particularly attractive leaf 
resting against the fresh green of the surrounding grass. I stretched out 
my hand to remove them from some of the grass that was covering this 
fresh-looking plant, when instantly the leaf disappeared from view, and a 
moment later an adder—a rare reptile in this district—scuttled away into 
the hedge bottom and disappeared in the wood. That rapid glimpse of the 
startled reptile awakened my memory, and I was suddenly enabled to 
explain what, in my mind, the curious spotted leaves of the wild Orchis 
resembled. The exposed part of the olive body of that viper, striped and 
spotted with dark markings, as it appeared amongst the grass, was almost 
identical with the appearance of some of the leaves of the Orchis when 
similarly placed. . . . Remember that this is how grazing animals 
‘would view the plant. Now grazing animals doubtless possess a much 
better acquaintance with snakes and similar reptiles, such as frogs, toads, 
and newts, than man does. In the course of their daily feeding among the 
herbage no doubt they frequently meet with them, and especially in those 
-districts where these creatures are abundant. It follows, therefore, that 
they naturally avoid them.” 
The subject is interesting, whether this be the true significance of the 
markings or not, but it may be added that the character is seen in several 
-other species, as O. mascula, O. latifolia, O. provincialis, and in the South 
African Stenoglottis nmbriata. 
others with unspotted leaves, 
stations get along very well with 
Some species have forms with spotted and 
and many species which grow in similar 
out purple markings at all.—Ep. 
ens. Two of 
f O. crispum, 
‘ctossed with pollen from a plant obtained from M. Vuyisteke with the 
would make it 
ite ground, tinged with pale 
blotch a ee d with large, ola less confluent purple 
otches, and the lip blotched and spotted with crimson-brown, including 
the yellow disc. This flower, Mr. Stevens lave, an. been ont at. least ait 
weeks, and has lost colour. The next has the blotches deep chestnut brown 
and less broken up, while the lip is broad and much spotted with similar 
" ce Mr. Stevens Says the hybrid is very free-flowering the flowers sent 
having been Produced on very small bulbs, and several ara are showing 
