Corolla 5 petala, sub-ringens: petalis patentibus: labellum nectarii e basi styli, patens. Antheræ duæ, terminales, adnatæ.
Blossom 5 petals, nearly gaping: petals spreading: the lip of the honey-cup comes from the base of the shaft, spreading. Chives two, terminal, and close together.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Ophrys arachnoides, caule folioso: foliis lanceolatis, glauco-viridibus, striatis: corollis patentibus, sub-albis; tribus exterioribus obtusis; duabus interioribus acutis, brevissimis: labello nectarii magno, subrotundo, fusco, convexo, villoso: prope basin labelli duæ sunt appendiculæ oppositæ, flavæ: centrum nectarii interlineatum est, maculisque flavis notatum: et in medio marginis tuberculum carnosum.
Ophrys with spider-like flowers: leaves enfoliating the stem, lance-shaped, of a glaucous green and striped. Blossom spreading, and nearly white: the three outer ones are obtuse, 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.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The blossom.
2. The same shown from the outside.
3. The honey-cup.
4. Chives and pointal, magnified.
This interesting species of the Orchideæ family was sent from Switzerland, by Dr. Messear, 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 Ophrys arachnoides, or spider-like, but is generally thought to bear a stronger analogy to the humble bee. In the Flora Londinensis of 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 the drawing, nearly as perfect as the figure represents.[Pg 77]
