January, 1913-] 
THE ORCHID WORLD. 
Si 
neighbouring amateurs. Nevertheless, the 
Orchid World keeps me m touch with the 
subject, and constantly reminds me that I, so 
many miles away, am a member of a closely 
united — in thought, n not m leality — 
fraternity of Orchid worshippers. 
Howard C. Edwards. 
Palmerston North, 
New Zealand. 
BRITISH ORCHIDS. 
AT the meeting of the Linnean Society, 
held December 5th, igi2, the first 
communication was by Mr. E. J. 
Bedford, entitled " Notes on Two Orchids 
new to East Sussex : Further Notes on 
several rarer species of the Orchidaceas," and 
communicated by Mr. C. E. Salmon, F.L.S. 
The lecturer stated that he is engaged in 
obtaining a series of photographs of the 
British Wild Orchids, his intention being to 
secure photographs of every possible species 
in situ, as well as at closer quarters at home, 
when arranged against a plain background. 
During the season of 191 1 he was fortunate 
enough to obtain two species not hitherto 
recorded for East Sussex. The first of these 
was the Brown-veined Orchid, Orchis pur- 
purea, found in the Ouse district, near Lewes, 
in the month of May, by Mr. Herbert Jenner, 
of Lewes. 
This interesting find was the prelude of 
another of perhaps even greater interest, for 
m the month of June the lecturer found a 
specimen of the rare Lizard Orchid, Orchis 
hircina, in the Cuckmere district, near East- 
bourne. 
This also proved to be a record for East 
Sussex, although a single specimen was dis- 
covered in West Sussex m 1907 near the 
border of the county. When discovered the 
specimen was only just coming into blossom, 
but it was decided to pick and take it home. 
The plant measured 1 2\ inches in height and 
doubtless would have grown higher had it 
been left. The flowers opened at the rate 
of three or four each day during the time 
it was kept indoors, and about a week after 
VOL. Ill, 
the specimen had been picked all the flowers 
were open except those at the extreme tip. 
It was at this stage taken back and 
temporarily fixed to its own stalk and 
l^hotographed in situ on June 22nd (the 
Coronation day of King George V.). The 
plant did not produce a bloom during the 
past season (191 2), although several leaves 
appeared, so it is hoped it may bloom again 
this season 
Earlier in the same year (191 1) he had 
found a numerous colony of the Spider 
Orchid, Ophrys aranifera. In a circular 
space of about three yards radius he counted 
61; specimens, and they were m this profusion 
for a considerable distance on each side. 
The specimens which occur in Sussex are 
said to be Ophrys aranifera var. fucifera : 
great difhculty was experienced, however, in 
distinguishing the variety from the type 
which is said to occur in Kent and sometimes 
in Sussex. 
During the past season (1912) he was able 
to photograph in situ the rare Late Spider 
Orchid, Ophrys arachnites, m the Folkestone 
district. 
Another interesting species to be found in 
Sussex, although in decreasing numbers, is 
the Bog Orchid, Malaxis paludosa. From its 
size and position this is a difficult species to 
photograph in situ. There is little doubt that 
the specimen Darwin experimented with and 
mentioned m his " Fertilisation of Orchids " 
came from the same locality as the one shown. 
He supposed he would be correct in calling 
the Fen Orchid, Liparis Loeselii, one of the 
rarest of the order. Through the kindness 
of a distinguished botanist he was able to 
obtain a photograph of it growing during 
1 91 2, but was not at liberty to divulge the 
exact locality. 
The last species mentioned was the Summer 
Lady's Tresses, Spiranthes aestivalis, which he 
was also able to show photographed as they 
grew. 
FTi? collection of photographs at present 
consists of 33 species and varieties out of a 
possible 44, and he should be very glad of 
an opportunity of adding to his collection any 
species not yet obtained. 
1 1 
