Malaxis longifolia. 13
of its length, bearing an oblong spike of scattered flowers of a siskin-
green colour, the lateral petals being straw-yellow; spike generally
ten-flowered. Petals linear. Germ short, being one-third the length of
those of Malaxis liliifolia. Lip half the length of the petals, a struc-
tui'e in which this species differs strikingly from the one just mentioned,
in which it is broad-spathulated, plane, or rather somewhat
convex, and longer than the petals. Grows at the roots and under
the shade of large trees in damp woods; flowering in June.
The term Malaxis was applied by Professor Swartz to a new and
very distinct genus of the orchidean tribe, established by Dr. Solan-
der and himself. The word expresses softness, and seems to
allude to the delicacy of habit and structure which marks these plants.
I discovered this species June llth , 1815, while herborizing in the
neighbourhood of this city, in the woods bordering the Schuylkill near
Mantua village, and not more than a quarter of a mile from Market
street Permanent Bridge. At that time, though I made a diligent
search, no more than a single individual presented itself. On my return
home I made the drawing from which the plate has been engraved.
On the 15th of the same month I met with two more specimens
in full flower, and two past florescence, the seed-vessel being
formed; and on the 16th read a description of the plant, accompanied
with the drawing, to the Philosophical Society. The communication
was referred to a committee of botanists, who reported an opivox..
HI. 4