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Flora of Australia. 135

production of hybrids, some of which in time obtain the
to the production of hybrids, some of which in time obtain the
fixity of species. The same applies to many genera of less extended
scope. The present case of the occurrence of a natural
hybrid in the genus Pterostylis (Orchidaceae) is, so far as I am
aware, only the second instance recorded for that genus in Australia.
The plants were found by Mr. J. R. Tovey at Mentone, Victoria,
1907, growing among patches of Pterostylis concinna and of
P. reflexa, var. intermedia. Externally they resemble the latter
plant, except that the basal rosette of leaves persists in some
cases until flowering. The labellum, however, instead of having
an entire obtusely-pointed tip, is broader and faintly but distinctly
bifid at its extremity, in this respect, being exactly
intermediate between the two forms. Some specimens show signs
of reversion to one or the other parent. Bentham gives the
scape of P. concinna as rarely above 1 inch. It is usually 3 to 5
inches long, and may bear 1, 2 or even 3 bracts, the lower ones
always empty. The wings of the column are marked in white,
green and purple, but the intensity, especially of the latter
coloration, varies. The possibility of hybridisation must be
borne in mind in future studies of this genus, and this explanation
may apply to some of the species already described.
In Fitzgerald's Australian Orchids mention is made of a supposed
hybrid between P. curta, R.Br., and P. pedunculata, R.Br.

PULTENAEA STRICTA, Sims. In Bot. Mag., 1588 (1813).
(Leguminosae).

Synonyms: P. MAIDENI, F.M. Reader, in Vict. Nat., xxii.,
158 (1905); P. LARGIFLORENS, F. v. M. in Benth., Fl.
Austr., ii, 134 (1864); P. GUNNII, Benth., in Ann. der
Wien. Mus., ii 82 (1839).

As a result of a close investigation of the numerous forms of
these highly variable and closely related "species," it can only
be concluded that we are dealing with forms of one large,
extremely pleomorphic species. The original description of
Pultenaea stricta in the Botanical Magazine, 1813, page 1588,
was made from a plant flowering in England, and naturally refers
to that specimen only, Sims being unaware of the varied forms
assumed by the species in its native habitat.