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O P H R Y S Nidus avis.
B ir d ' s-neft Ophrys.
G T N A N D R IA Diandria.
Gen. C har. Neflary confiding of a lip only, (lightly
carinated at the back.
Spec. C har. Bulbs in the form of flelhy cluttered
fibres. Stem clothed with fcaly (heaths, without
leaves. Nedary cloven.
S y n . Ophrys Nidus avis. Linn. Sp. Pl. 1339. Hudf.
FI. An. 3 8 8 . With. Bot. Arr. 9 8 3 . Re/h. Cant.
336-
Nidus avis. Raii Syn. 3 8 2 .
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JL H IS lingular fpecies of Ophrys, whofe habit fo nearly
approaches the genus Orobanche, is probably like that genus
parafitical. It is rather an unfrequent inhabitant of woods and
thickets among decayed leaves, flowering in the early part of
fummer, and cannot be made to grow in a garden. Dr. Smith
has found it in Norfolk, and it is often met with in Kent.
Its hue of fober brown is the oppofite of the ufual gaiety
and brilliancy of the vegetable kingdom : but the fcientific ob-
ferver will confider it with admiration, as a plant whofe appearance
and economy are extremely lingular 5 and the fyfte-
matic botanift will cherilh it as an important link in Nature’s
chain, combining feveral apparently difcordant tribes.