[ 8i ] 
XXI. An Account of a Species of Ophris , 
fuppofed to be the Plants which is mentioned 
by GronoviuszVz the Flora Virginica,^. 185, 
under the Name of Ophris Scapo nudo foliis 
radicahbus ovato-oblongis , dimidii Scapi lon- 
gitudine: By George Dionyfius Ehret, 
F. R. S. 
Read Apnl 14, H E root of this plant, from 
2 ' which many flefhy fibres branch, 
is compofed of the foot fialks of the leaves, which 
envelope each other in fuch a manner, that they form 
a kind of bulbous root. From the faid bulb proceed 
two oval- fhaped, nervous, fmooth leaves, having 
membraneous convolute petioli or footftalks. Thefe 
encompafs a triquetrous fcapus, or a fingle ftalk arif- 
ing from the centre of this root, which produces 
many flowers of a Angular conflrucfiion. Thefe 
flowers are fupported by fmall pedunculi, or flower 
fialks, of a bloody-red colour, which fwell into feed- 
veilels, having at their bale an acute denticle. 
^ This very Angular plant blew (for the firft time in 
England) in the Year 1758, in the curious exotic 
garden ot Mr. Peter Collinfon ; who received it from 
Mr. Bertram of Philadelphia. 
Mr. Clayton has deferibed a plant, in the Flora 
Virginica page 185, under the name of <c Bifolium 
Scapo e medio duorurn foliorum nudo, aphyllo, ad 
exortum tenui, paulatim verfus apicem accrefcente, lex 
V ol. LIU. J\ vel 
