ORCHIDS. 
87 
and is known as the “Cockatoo ” or “ flying duck,” 
owing to its remarkable similarity to a wild duck in 
flight. The orchid is not common, and is only found 
in the cooler and also in the mountainous portions of 
the State. It is Caleana major. 
Another queer orchid is Calochilus Robertsoni. 
This is called the ‘ ‘ old man, ’ ’ from the fact that the 
labeUum, which is prune-coloured, is long and very 
hairy, protruding from the flower Like a beard. 
The ‘ ‘ undertaker, ” or “ flower of sadness, ’ ’ which 
grows in the sandy soil, and which is always more 
prevalent after a fire has passed through the scrub, 
is a peculiarly-formed plant, about 6 or 7 inches high, 
with a stem carrying three or four purple hooded 
flowers, and having one thick fleshy leaf. This is 
called Lyperanthus nigricans, and it receives its com- 
mon name from the fact that, when dried or pressed 
it turns completely black. 
The blue orchids, usually called “wild hyacinths,” 
some of which are handsome, and often two feet in 
height, belong to the genus Thelymitra. There are 
nearly a dozen here, mostly blue-coloured, some also 
being pink or yellow. Thelymitra antennifera, a 
yellow-coloured one, is very sweetly scented. In this 
genus, the labellum formation is not so marked, the 
lip almost forming an even petal in the lower portion 
of the flower. 
The orchids commonly called “ cows ” belong to 
the genus Diuris, which means two tails. This is in 
reference to the lower sepals being long and narrow, 
and somewhat tail-shaped. This genus is limited to 
Australia, the most beautiful of all being Diuris 
