\ 
O R C 
handed fpreading bulbs, the horn of the neBarium fhorter J 
than the germen , a plain lip , and the hinder part of the 
petals fpreading. Orchis palmata pratenfis, maculata. 
C. B. P. 85. Meadow handed Orchis , with [potted 
leaves. 
8. Orchis ( Cornopica ) bulbis palmatis, neftarii cornu, 
fetaceo germinibus longiore, labio trifido, petalis du- 
obus patentiffirois. Aft. Upfal. 1740. Orchis with 
palmated bulbs , a brijlly horn to the neBarium , which is 
longer than the germen , and a trifid lip. Orchis palma- 
ta minor, calcaribus oblongis. C. B. P. 85. Smaller 
palmated Orchis , with an oblong fpur to the flower. 
9. Orchis (. Abortiva ) bulbis fafciculatis filiformibus, 
neftarii labio ovato integerrimo. A£t. Upfal. 1740. 
Orchis with thread-like bulbs growing in bunches , and the 
lip of the neBarium oval and entire. Limidorum Auf- 
triacum. Cluf. Pan. 241. Purple Bird’s-nejl. 
The firft fort grows naturally in paftures in moft 
parts of England. This hath a double bulbous root, 
with fome fibres coming out from the top ; it has 
four or fix oblong leaves lying on the ground, which 
are reflexed. The ftalk rifes nine or ten inches high, 
having four' or fix leaves which embrace it •, this is 
terminated by a fhort loofe fpike of flowers, having 
a four-pointed indented lip to the nedtarium, and an 
obtufe horn. The flowers are of a pale purple co- 
lour, marked with deeper purple fpots ; it flowers in 
May. 
The fecond fort grows naturally in woods and fhady 
places in many parts of England ; this hath a double 
bulbous root, which is about the fize and fhape of 
middling Olives ; it hath fix or feven long broad 
leaves, fhaped like thofe of Lilies, which have feve- 
ral black fpots on their upper fide ; the ftalk is round, 
and a foot high, having one or two fmaller leaves 
embracing it. The flowers are difpofed in a long 
Ipike on the top of the ftalk ; they are of a purple 
colour, marked with deep purple fpots, and have an 
agreeable fcent. It flowers the latter end of April. 
The third fort grows naturally under the bullies by 
the fide of paftures, in many parts of England. This 
hath a root compofed of two oblong Pear-fhaped 
bulbs, from which come out three or four Lily- 
ftiaped leaves, of a pale green, with a few faint fpots; 
the ftalk rifes near a foot high, it is (lender, furrowed, 
and has a very few fmall leaves which embrace it -, 
this is terminated by a loofe fpike of white flowers, 
fmelling fweet, which referable a butterfly with ex- 
panded wings. This flowers in June. 
The fourth fort is found growing naturally on Caw- 
fnam-hills, and in other places where the foil is chalk. 
The roots of this fort are compofed of two bulbs, 
from which come out four or five oblong leaves ; the 
ftalk is about nine inches high, luftaining a loofe fpike 
of fweet-fmelling flowers, each hanging on a pretty 
long foot-ftaik ; they have a Ihort obtufe horn, a 
creft and wings, of an Afh-colour without, reddilh 
within, and ftriped with deeper lines ; the lip is ob- 
long, divided into five parts, having rough fpots. This 
flowers in June. 
The fifth fort grows naturally on chalk-hills in feveral 
parts of England ; the root of this is compofed of two 
oblong bulbs, from which arife three or four narrow 
oblong leaves ; the ftalk rifes a foot high, having 
three or four narrow eredt leaves which embrace it. 
The flowers are produced in a thick roundifh fpike 
at the top •, they are of a reddilh colour, having long 
fpurs, and the wings are acute-pointed. It flowers 
in June. 
The fixth fort grows naturally in moift meadows in 
many parts of England ; the root of this is com- 
pofed of two flelhy bulbs, which are divided into four 
or five fingers, fo as to referable an open hand •, the 
ftalk rifes from nine inches to a foot high, garnilhed 
with leaves the whole length, which are three or four 
inches long and one broad, embracing the ftalk with 
their bafe ; thefe are not lpotted, and end in acute 
points. The flowers are difpofed in a fpike on the 
top of the ftalk, with fmall narrow leaves (called 
bradtea) between them, which are longer than the 
O R G 
flowers. The fpur is half an inch long, extended 
backward 7 the lip of the nedtarium is broad, divided 
into three lobes, two fide ones being re flexed ; the 
flowers and bradtea are of a purphfh colour, having 
deep purple fpots. It flowers in May. There are two 
varieties of this, differing in the colour of their flow- 
ers, and one with a narrower leaf. 
The feventh fort grows naturally in moift meadows 
in feveral parts of England ; the root of this is com- 
pofed of two broad flelhy bulbs, both of which are 
divided into four fingers, which Ip read afunder. The 
ftalk rifes a foot and a half high, and is very ftrong, 
inclining to a purple colour ; it is garnilhed with 
leaves the whole length ; thofe on the lower part of 
the ftalk are fix inches long, and an inch arid a half 
broad, embracing it with their bafe. The flowers 
are colledted in a clofe fpike at the top of the ftalk, 
they are of a pale purple colour ; the fpur is abdut a 
third part of an inch long ; the beard of the nedtarium 
is plain, and divided into three parts, which is mark- 
ed with deep purple fpots ; under each foot-ftalk is 
placed a narrow leaf (or bradtea) of a purpliih co- 
lour. The leaves and (talks of the plant have many 
dark fpots. It flowers in June. There are two or 
three varieties of this, which differ fin the colour of 
their flowers. 
The eighth fort grows naturally in moift meadows iri 
feveral parts of England y this hath a double-handed 
root, that which fuftains the ftalk being wafting and 
decaying, but the other is full, fucculent, and plump ; 
the finger-like bulbs which compote the root are long, 
and fpread afunder; the lower leaves are fix or (even 
inches long, they are narrow, of a pale green, and 
have no fpots. The ftalk rifes a foot high, it is gar- 
nilhed with a few narrow ihort leaves, which em- 
brace it like {heaths •, it is terminated by a beautiful 
fpike of red flowers fix inches long ; the flowers are 
not marked with any fpots ; they have long, {lender, 
briftly fpurs like birds claws, being crooked •, the lip’ 
of the nedtarium is indented on the edge. It flowers 
in June. 
The ninth fort grows naturally in fhady woods in fe- 
veral parts of England, but particularly in Suffex and 
Hamplhire, in both which counties I have feveral 
times found it. The root of this plant is compofed 
of many thick, oblique, long fibres, which are flelhy ; 
the ftalk rifes near two feet high, wrapped round with 
leaves like (heaths ; they are of a purple colour. The 
flowers are difpofed in a loofe thyrfe at the top of the 
ftalk, and are of a purple colour, having an oval 
entire lip to the nedtarium, the creft terminating in a 
horn. It flowers in June. 
All thefe forts of Orchis grow wild in feveral parts of 
England, but, for the extreme oddnefs and beauty 
of their flowers, deferve *1 place in every good gar- 
den •, and the reafon for their not being cultivated iri 
gardens, proceeds from their difficulty to be tranf- 
planted ; though this, I believe, may be eafily over- 
come, where a perfon has an opportunity of marking 
their roots in their time of flowering, and letting 
them remain until their leaves are decayed, when they 
may be tranfplanted with fafety •, for it is the fame 
with moft forts of bulbous or flelhy-rooted plants, 
which, if tranfplanted before their leaves decay, left 
dom live, notwithstanding you preferve a large ball 
of earth about them •, for the extreme parts of their 
fibres extend to a great depth in the ground, from 
whence they receive their nourilhment ; which, if 
broken or damaged by taking up their roots, feldom 
thrive after ; for though they may fornetimes remain 
alive a year or two, yet they grow weaker until they 
quite decay ; which is alfo the cafe with Tulips, Fri- 
tillarias, and other bulbous roots, when removed,' 
after they have, made (hoots ; fo that whoever would 
cultivate them, fhould fearch them out in their feafon 
of flowering, and mark them ; and when their leaves 
are decayed, or j uft as they are going off, the roots 
fhould be taken up, and planted in a foil or fituation 
as nearly refembling that wherein they naturally grow, 
as poffible, otherwife they will not thrive, fo that 
9 P , they. 
4 do 
