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P L A T E CCCCLXX.
O P H R Y S a r a chnoïde s .
Spider-like Ophrys.
CLASS XX. ORDER J.
GYNANDRIA DIANDRIA. Chives on the Pointal. Two Chives.
E S S E N T I A L GENERIC CHARACTER.
COROLLA 5 pétala, sub-ringens : petalis patentibus
: labelluni nectarii e basi styli, patens.
Antherse duae, terminales^ adnatae.
BLOSSOM 5 petals, nearly gaping : petals sjjreading:
the lip of the honey-cup comes from
the base of the shaft, spreading. Chives
two, terminal, and close together.
SPECIFIC
O F H R Y S arachnoides, caule folioso : foliis lanceolatis,
glauco-viridibus, striatis : corollis
patenti bus, sub-albis; tribus exterior! bus
obtusis ; duabus interioribus acutis, brevissimis
: labello nectarii magno, subrotundo,
fusco, convexo, villoso : prope
basin labelli daae sunt appendiculae oppositae,
flavae : centrum nectarii interlineatum
est, maculisque flavis notatum : et
in medio marginis tuberculum carnosum.
C H A R A C T E R ,
O P H K Y S with spider-like flowers : leaves enfoliating
tlie stem, lance-shaped, of a glaucous
green and striped. Blossom spreading,
and nearly white : the three outer ones are
obtnse, the two inner ones pointed, and
very small: the lip of the honey-cup is
large, nearly round, brown, convex, and
hairy : near the base of the nectary there
are two opposite appendicles of a yellow
colour : the centre of the honey-cup is interlined,
and spotted with yellow ; and in
the centre of the margin there is a fleshy
substance.
R E F E R E N C E TO THE PLATE.
1. The blossom.
2. The same shown from the outside.
3. The boney-cup.
4. Chives and pointal, magnified.
T H I S interesting species of the Orchideoe family was sent from Switzerland, by Dr. jMessear, to the
gardens of Isaac Swainson, esq. at Twickenham, where it flowers annually. It is said to be'a native
of Britain, France, Portugal, &c. and is known by the appellation of Ophiys arachnoides, or spiderlike,
but is generally thought to bear a stronger analogy to the humble bee. In the Flora Londinensis
oi Curtis, there is a figure under the title of Ophrys fuciflora very much resembling our plant in most
particulars, except in the colour of the flower, which is very different. The same plant is again figured
in Dr. Smith's English Botany, under the specific of aranifera ; and thus the plant is known both as
a spider and a drone. The arachnoides may therefore be considered, if not a distinct species, as a very
strong marked variety, and is at present a scarce plant. It remains so long in bloom, that the author
observed it at the nursery of Messrs. Whitley and Brames, three weeks after he had made tlie drawing,
nearly as perfect as tlie figure represents,
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