its origin, tapering downwards to a blunt point. Leaves 5
or 6, upright, broadly lanceolate, acute, 3-ribbed, 3 inches in
length. Footstalks broad, sheathing, near an inch long.
Stalk erect, 2 inches high, sheathed more than half way up
by the footstalks of the innermost leaves, and bearing in
the upper part 2 or 3 lanceolate, smooth, upright bracteas.
Spike an inch long, ovate, dense, erect, of about 18 white
flowers in 3 rows, twisted round in a very remarkable way,
and each accompanied by a smooth lanceolate bractea as
tall as itself. The flowers much resemble those of N. spiralis,
and the tip is fringed ; but the calyx and petals are
twice as long as in that species. The calyx is more taper-
pointed. The outside of the flowers and the capsule are
downy; every other part of the herb is smooth. Buds
destined to flower the following year are formed among the
leaves at the bottom of the flowering stalk. After flowering
the root decays, and the following spring each bud puts
forth a pair of oblong knobs, as above described, and becomes
a separate plant.”
The examination of the dry plant has not enabled us to
perceive the spiral order of the flowers, neither could wre
detect the fringe of the nectary. But we have ascertained
that the stigma is ovate at the base, and produced into a
long subulate point, not bifid as in Neotiia and Richard’s
genus Spiranthes: indeed we know of no genus under which
it can properly be placed. It is consequently much to be
wished that some able botanist may be so fortunate as to
obtain living plants and thus enabled to furnish a more
complete description. J . D. C. S.