136 



THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



July 



Your specimen is a remarkably good example of prolification 

 of the infloresence, a malformation to which the genus Plantago 

 is very subject. In this case the usually solitary flower-spike 

 is surrounded by three well-formed subsidiary spikes growing from 

 the top of the scape or flower-stalk, which is also of great 

 length, fully 2^-feet, showing a very luxuriant growth, which is 

 doubtless the cause of the abnormal development, as it is generally 

 attributed to hypertrophy. In the well known garden curiosity the 

 " hen and chickens " daisy a similar monstrosity has become quite 

 permanent. Rather curiously the other day I also received a speci- 

 men of dandelion (Leontodon taraxacum) with two fully formed heads 

 instead of the normal solitary one. 



Most of these leafless flower-bearing scapes are occasionally to be 

 found producing one or more leaves on the ftower-stalk ; a change also 

 frequently noted in the plantain. — T.P.S. 



Cephalanthera ensifolia. — On Saturday, May 31st, the Rev. 

 J. B. Whyte found a spike of this rare orchid in Hezleden Dene, near 

 Hartlepool. Being quite new to him, he brought it to me for identifica- 

 tion. On the subsequent Saturday he found other two spikes in the 

 same place. The species is recorded in Winch's Flora of Northumber- 

 land and Durham (1831), and in the ' New Flora ' of Baker and Tate 

 (1868). It occurs in this and other magnesian limestone denes, but is 

 so rare that I have never met with it, though I have collected in 

 Hezleden Dene regularly for about thirty-five years, and have fre- 

 quently been in Castle Eden, Hav/thorn, and Horden Denes. I am 

 very pleased to learn that it still occurs. — John E. Robson, 

 Hartlepool. 



Since the above was in type Mr. Whyte has thoroughly ex- 

 amined the ground where he found this pretty orchid. Within a 

 space of about 100 yards each way, he observed nearly thirty spikes, 

 but except within this limited area, he was unable to discover a 

 specimen. He noticed, and called my attention to the fact, that 

 none of the blooms appeared likely to produce seed. Is it possible 

 that the rarity of the plant here is a consequence of the insect or in- 

 sects necessary to fertilize the flower not inhabiting our district. Does 

 any one know what insect fertilizes this orchid. — J.E.R. 



