919. P latanthera lutea. (R. W.) stem erect, lower
half elothed with sheathing scales^ above leafy : leaves
ovate lanceolate acute: bracteas foliaceous, ovate, cucul-
late, acuminated, equaling the flowers . sepals ovate obtuse
the lateral ones ascending : petals smaller, linear lanceolate;
lip 3 lobed, about the length of the sepals, lobes, obtuse,
entire, lateral ones smaller ; spur pendulous cla-
vate somewhat shorter than the ovary.
Pulney mountains in pastures among long grass, flowers
yellow. I have not met with this species in any other
station. It seems a genuine Platanthera though so very
different from the next. I thought at first it might be a
Peristylus but the free sepals and long spur induce me to
pi ace it here.
920. P latanthera S usan nce. (Lindley) stem leafy
about three flowered: leaves ovate oblong acute, upper
ones cuculate acuminated: sepals ovate obtuse, lateral ones
oblique the dorsal one rhomboid : petals linear acute; lip
three parted, lateral lobes truncated many cleft, the middle
one linear spur double its length. Lind., 1. c.p, 295.
Pulney mountains with the other. This magnificent
species seems very widely distributed Amaboyna, Cochin
China, New Holland, and India all claim it as a native. I
have never met with it except once, but I have a specimen
from the vicinity of Bombay, for which I am indebted to
the kindness of Mr. Law, of the Bombay Civil Service,
as well as for many other highly interesting additions to
my herbarium, for all of which I beg to tender my sincere
thanks.
921. P e r isty lu s plantagenia. (Lindley) leaves (3)
erect oblong lanceolate acute, almost as long as the spike:
sepals ovate: petals roundish obtuse : lip roundish obtusely
tridentate; spur spheroid. Lindley, l. c. 300.
In moist pasture in the forests of Paulghaut flowering
in May and June, flowers small, white. Dr. Lindley describes
this species from Ceylon specimens.
922. H abenaria Lindley ana. (R. W.) leaves few
distant, roundish ovate cordate, acuminated: raceme
many flowered : bracteas foliaceous equaling the flowers :
posterior sepal truncated at the apex, the lateral ones
ovate acute : petals two parted, segments linear subulate,
about equal; lip 3 parted, middle segment the longest.
Pulney mountains in pasture. In the character of the
flower this seems allied to H. Salaccensis Blume, but as it
is impossible to determine, from such a character as he
gives, 1 have thought it safer to consider it a distinct
species.
923. H abenaria H eyneana. (Lind.) leaves narrow
oval acute: raceme lax secund few flowered; bracteas foliaceous
cuculated, somewhat ventricose, acuminated, longer
than the flowers : lip 3 parted segments about equal, the
length of the sepals, middle one narrow oval, lateral ones
filiform incurved : sepals and petals about the same
length connivent, spur pendulous filiform shorter tlian the
ovary. Lind. 1. c. pg. 320.
This is frequent on pasture ground on the Neilgherries,
but is far from being a conspicuous plant, its pale
yellowish green flowers resembling the herbage among
which it grows. The fleshy processes in frontier the
column are particularly large and conspicuous in this
species.
924. H abenaria rarielora. (A. Richard) leaves oblong
lanceolate acute plicate, occupying the lower part of
the stem: stem slender 1*2 flowered: flowers long pe-
duncled bractiate : bracteas convolute oval acute, usually
shorter than the peduncle : petals oval oblong acuminate,
with a, longer, linear apendage ; lip three parted, lateral
segments the longest, linear subulate; somewhat spreading;
spur longer than the ovary, processes, of the stigma,
long obtuse. A . Richard Annal des. Sciences 15, p. 70.
This species I have only once met with on the Neilgherries,
whence Richard received his specimen, on clifts
at Kaitty Waterfall. My figure is from a specimen found
on. the Pulney mountains where it abounds. This is the
only described Indian species, referable to Lindley’s
“ Erostrate” division, having the upper sepal largest, and
the anterior segment of the petals longer and narrower
than the posterior.
925. H abenaria longicalcarata. (A. Richard) radical
leaves numerous, oblong elliptic acute: upper leafless
part of the stem clothed with the sheaths of numerous
depanperated leaves, flowers 1 or 2 large, long pe-
duncled ; bracteas convolute, oval acuminated, length of
the peduncle : sepals diverging, petals erect lanceolate ;
lip trifid, middle segment lanceolate narrow; lateral ones
broad truncate crenate; spur very long, two or three times
the length of the ovary and peduncle.; Richard, l. c.
slightly abridged.
This drawing was made on the Pulney mountains at
the same time with the preceding. There I found the
plant very abundant, on the Neilgherries it is comparatively
rare.
926. H abenaria crinieera. (Lindley) radical leaves
oblong lanceolate, spike many flowered : bracteas acuminate,
about one-third the length of the ovaries: lip 4
times longer than the sepals, unguiculate at the base,
limb 4 parted lobes much acuminated upper sepal and
petals galeate; spur curved, compressed, clavate, longer
than the lip. Lind. 1. c.p. 323.
I am uncertain about the exact station whence this
specimen was obtained. Lindley’s specimens are from
Ceylon.
927. H abenaria Montana. (A. Richard) stem erect
scaly at the base: leaves sheathiDg, oblong lanceolate
acute, subplicate, 4 or 5 perfect, approximate, the rest
passing into long lanceolate very acute sheathing scales:
raceme few (4-5) flowered lax: bracteas oblong linear,
very acute, shorter than the very long ovary : sepals glabrous
; lip three cleft, middle lobe lanceolate acute, lateral
ones broader, truncated, irregularly cut on the margins,
stigmatic processes obtuse short: spur longer than the
ovary. Richard l. c. pg. 73.
Pulney mountains. This species I have not yet met
with on the Neilgherries whence M. Richard had his
specimens, but think there can be no doubt of the identity
of the two plants. 1st July.—While this sheet, was
passing through the Press, I found it at Kaitty waterfalls,
but only coming into flower.
923. Ate virens. (Lindley 1. c. pg, 326.)
This is the only species of the genus and was separated
from Habenaria principally on account of the curious
tooth rising from the orifice of the spur, (figures 2 & 4)
combined with the unusually developed sterile stamens
(see figures 2 & 4) and some difference of habit. 1 have
only met with it on the Pulney mountains, where I found it
in considerable abundance flowering during the rainy and
cool season, and on the Sheramullies near Dindigul growing
among long grass.