Chapter M: Pescatore's Odontoglossum

O. (ISANTHIUM, _Lindl._) pseudobulbis ovatis lævigatis nebulosis
diphyllis, foliis loratis planis basi angustatis paniculâ amplâ erectâ
multiflorâ 3-plo brevioribus, bracteis minutis, floribus membranaceis,
sepalis ovato-oblongis apiculatis leviter undulatis, petalis conformibus
latioribus, labello cuspidato subpandurato basi denticulato, cristæ
lamellis lateralibus distantibus cartilagineis laceris lineis duabus
divergentibus apice denticulatis interjectis, columnæ brevis alis
brevibus cuneatis laceris. (_Lindl. Fol. Orch., quibusdam mutatis._)

ODONTOGLOSSUM PESCATOREI, _Lindley, in Paxton's Flower Garden, iii. t.
90_; _Pescatorea, t. 1_; _Warner's Select Orchidaceous Plants, t. 25._

ODONTOGLOSSUM NOBILE, _Reichenbach fil. in Linnæa_, 22, 850.

Habitat in NEW GRANADA, Province of Pamplona, at the height of from 5000
to 6000 feet, _Funck and Schlim_.

DESCRIPTION.

PSEUDOBULBS _from 2 to 3 inches long, of an ovate form, glossy, and
mottled with dark brown, usually bearing 2 lorate_ LEAVES, _which are
from 6 inches to a foot long, narrowed at the base and sharp at the end,
much shorter than the tall upright branched_ PANICLE, _which sometimes
rises to the height of 3 feet, and bears from 6 to 60 membranous_ FLOWERS
_of a peculiarly delicate texture_. BRACTS _very small_. SEPALS
_ovate-oblong, apiculate, slightly waved at the edges, an inch long,
white with streaks of rose-colour_. PETALS _similar in form and texture
to the sepals, but broader and more curled at the edges, of the purest
white_. LIP _inclining to fiddle-shape, pointed, but with the point
invisible when looked at in front; towards the base are two short upright
tubercles that pass forward into plates diverging from each other, and
toothed in front. On either side are two pseudo-wings, irregularly
indented, and, like the plates, of a beautiful gold colour, streaked with
red. The rest of the lip is white, with the exception of a few irregular
blotches of crimson, the number and size and disposition of which vary
considerably in different individuals_. COLUMN _short, with short
wedge-shaped_ WINGS, _a little indented at the edges_.

This lovely plant was discovered in the year 1847 by MM. Funck and Schlim when on a botanical mission to New Granada, in the service of M. Linden. According to its discoverers, it is not unfrequently met with in the provinces of Pamplona and Ocaña, at an elevation above the sea-level of about 5000 feet, inhabiting the oak forests which--where the climate is mild--clothe the eastern slopes of the glorious Cordillera.

_O. Pescatorei_ flowered with M. Linden for the first time in 1851, and attracted, as well it might, universal admiration. Nothing indeed, even in the beautiful family to which it belongs, can surpass the delicacy of its blossoms, with their charming mixture of rose and white, relieved by a few deep-crimson stains scattered irregularly over the lip. Its habit too is good, and its stately panicle of flowers well-proportioned to the size of the bulbs and leaves. It blooms abundantly in the spring months, and its blossoms continue at least six weeks in perfection. We need not wonder that a plant with such a rare combination of good qualities should have been selected by M. Linden to do honour to his patron the late M. Pescatore, after whom he named it, and in whose sumptuous work ('Pescatorea') it forms the first plate.

Although the species, owing to the difficulty of importing it alive, is still exceedingly rare in this country, it has already flowered in many of the principal collections, especially in those of Mr. Rucker, Mr. Basset, Mr. Day, and Mr. Dawson, of Meadow Bank near Edinburgh. With the last-named gentleman a panicle, with sixty flowers upon it, is now (April, 1864) in full beauty. Mr. Fitch's drawing was taken from an exquisite variety, of which Mr. Day is the fortunate possessor, and which he kindly placed at my disposal for the purpose of being figured in this Work. In the Plate the flower-spike is represented as panicled because such--as in the case of all the other varieties--is no doubt its normal state; as yet however racemes only have been produced.

The treatment recommended for other _Odontoglossa_ (see under Plate I.) will suit _O. Pescatorei_, which is as easily managed as any of the genus.

DISSECTIONS.--1. Lip, seen sideways; 2. Lip, front view: _magnified_.

Plate VI

PLATE VI.

ODONTOGLOSSUM PENDULUM.

PENDENT-FLOWERED ODONTOGLOSSUM.

O. (TRYMENIUM) pseudobulbis subrotundis compressis lævibus diphyllis,
foliis oblongo-ligulatis obtusis racemo pendulo multifloro paulo
brevioribus, sepalis oblongis obtusis petalisque conformibus
subæqualibus, labello unguiculato reniformi basi excavato marginibus
callosis, clinandrii alis lateralibus subtruncatis dorsalique rotundato
denticulatis.

ODONTOGLOSSUM CITROSMUM, _Lindl. Bot. Reg._ 1842, _Misc._ 68; 1843, _t._
3; _Fol. Orch. n._ 59; _Warner's Select Orchidaceous Plants_, _t._ 28;
_Lemaire_, _Jard. Fl._ _t._ 90.

CUITLAUZINA PENDULA, _La Llace et Lexarza_, _Orch. Mex._ 2; _Reichenbach,
fil._, _Bonplandia_, iii. 15, 16.

Habitat in MEXICO, _Lexarza_, _Karwinski_, _Barker_.

DESCRIPTION.

PSEUDOBULBS _clustered together, 2 to 4 inches long, compressed, ovate or
almost round, smooth and glossy, 2-leaved_. LEAVES _6 inches to a foot
long, leathery, oblong-ligulate, obtuse, rather shorter than the raceme_.
RACEME _issuing at an early stage from the young growth, pendulous,
many-flowered, rarely branched, longer than the leaves_. SEPALS _and_
PETALS _similar in form, pure white, or in some varieties of a faint
blush or rose-colour, frequently sprinkled with minute red dots, oblong,
obtuse, about an inch long_. LIP _unguiculate, kidney-shaped, channelled
(with the solid edges turned up) along its base, on which there is a
patch of yellow, with a few bright dots in the position where a crest
(here entirely wanting) is usually placed; the colour of the disk of the
lip varies in different specimens, being sometimes entirely white and
sometimes tipped with faint rose-colour or deep-crimson_. COLUMN _with
upper and lower wings (all of which are toothed), that on the back being
rounded and the others truncated_.

Early in the present century, two Spaniards--La Llave and Lexarza by name--settled at the Mexican town of Valladolid, in the fertile province of Mechoacan. They were both attached to botany, but the younger of the two, Lexarza, was so attracted by the beauty of the numerous Orchids of the district that to these he devoted himself with an ardour that would have done honour even to the Lindleys and Reichenbachs of our own day. As the result of his labours a little work--'Orchidianum Opusculum' he modestly styled it--presently made its appearance, wherein about fifty species, all at that time new to science, were described with remarkable accuracy and skill. Among the number there was a plant,--_Cuitlauzina pendula_ he called it,--said to be of surpassing loveliness and to form an undoubtedly new genus the distinctive characters of which were minutely given. As time went on and the rage for Orchids developed itself in Europe, a keen desire was naturally felt by cultivators to add so fine a plant to their lists; but although many collectors visited Valladolid and laid hands upon nearly all the other desirable Orchids described by Lexarza, still nothing was heard of the _Cuitlauzina_, and on the cover of the latest number of Dr. Lindley's 'Folia Orchidacea' its name may be found in the list of genera "unknown to the author." About the same time I myself addressed a letter to the 'Gardeners' Chronicle' urging some adventurous traveller to take ship for New Spain, mainly with the object of instituting another search for the tantalizing plant that had hitherto eluded our grasp. Yet all this while _Cuitlauzina pendula_ was amongst us, and indeed had been an established favourite for upwards of twenty years! But if so, it may well be asked, how came it to pass that it was never recognized? For a full reply to this very natural inquiry I must refer the reader to a most ingenious article in 'Bonplandia' (Jahrg. iii. No. 15, 16), by the younger Reichenbach, to whom all the credit is due of having solved a great botanical puzzle, and proved to demonstration that the _Cuitlauzina pendula_ of Lexarza is none other than the _Odontoglossum citrosmum_ of Lindley.[4]

Under these circumstances, however undesirable the meddling with established names, I scarcely see how, in common justice to Lexarza, we can do otherwise than adopt his specific name of _pendula_, more especially as it happens that the plant to which he originally gave it remains to this day the only one out of nearly a hundred _Odontoglossa_ that has flower-stems which are strictly _pendulous_.

Our gardens contain many varieties of _O. pendulum_, of which, though all are beautiful, some are far superior to others. That represented in the Plate, and which forms a part of Mr. Rucker's collection, is among the best. Mr. Rucker keeps it in his coolest house, where it is perfectly at home, and produces a profusion of its lovely drooping racemes in May and June. It should always be grown in a pot.

DISSECTIONS.--1. Front view of lip and column; 2. Side view of ditto: _magnified_.

Plate VII

PLATE VII.

ODONTOGLOSSUM HASTILABIUM, _Lindley_.

HALBERT-LIPPED ODONTOGLOSSUM.

O. (Isanthium, _Lindl._) pseudobulbis ovatis compressis 1-2-phyllis,
foliis oblongis coriaceis, paniculæ exaltatæ ramis spicatis, bracteis
cymbiformibus acuminatis ovario æqualibus, sepalis petalisque
lineari-lanceolatis acuminatis undulatis, labello apice subrotundo-ovato
acuto basi auriculis acutis lanceolatis porrectis aucto, lamellis 5
elevatis, columnæ alis obsolete undulatis, margine versus basin
membranaceo dilatato.

ODONTOGLOSSUM HASTILABIUM, _Lindley_, _Orchid. Linden._ _n._ 84;
_Hooker_, _Bot. Mag._ _t._ 4272; _Pescatorea_, _t._ 11.

Habitat in NOV. GRANADA: Tesqua, in the province of Pamplona, at the
elevation of 2500 feet, April, _Linden_; on the road from Santa Martha to
the Sierra Nevada, _Purdie_; Ocaña, January, 5-6000 feet, _Schlim_,
_Wagener_, _Blunt_.

DESCRIPTION.

PSEUDOBULBS _compressed, ovate, 3 to 6 inches long, bearing 1 or 2
oblong, leathery_ LEAVES, _not more than a third the length of the
scape_. BRACTS _boat-shaped, acuminate, equal in length to the ovary_.
SCAPE _very robust, from 2 to 6 feet high, panicled, bearing from 20 to
100 flowers_. SEPALS _and_ PETALS _1½ to 2 inches long,
linear-lanceolate, acuminate, slightly waved at the margin, of a
pale-green, barred with numerous lines of dark-red or purple_. LIP
_halbert-shaped, purple at the base, but white in its upper portion,
which is of a roundish-ovate form, pointed at the extremity; its crest
consists of 2 outer and 2 interior plates, the taller stretching forward
beyond the former, with a linear-oval callosity in the centre_. COLUMN
_expanding at its base on either side into an inflexed membrane_.

As this stately _Odontoglossum_ is met with at a much lower elevation than any of its congeners, it is constitutionally less impatient of heat, and has therefore been able to accommodate itself to artificial conditions under which others of its race in former years have pined and died. But although in some parts of New Granada it descends as low as 2500 feet, its more frequent range is 2000 feet higher up the mountains, and it is in such situations that it attains its greatest luxuriance and beauty. Some imported specimens that I was fortunate enough to see last year (1864) at the Clapton Nursery, whither they had been sent by Mr. Blunt, had flower-stems half an inch thick and fully 6 feet high. These were gathered at an elevation of at least 4000 feet above the sea-level and, as they arrived in excellent condition and have been extensively distributed, I have little doubt we shall ere long see cultivated specimens that may vie with the wild ones in stature and magnificence. Its flowering season is the spring or early summer.

The figure was taken in May last from a plant in Mr. Rucker's collection where it is grown at the coolest end of the Cattleya-house.

DISSECTION.--1. Front view of lip and column; 2. Side view of ditto: _magnified_.

Plate VIII

PLATE VIII.

ODONTOGLOSSUM GRANDE, _Lindley_.

GREAT ODONTOGLOSSUM.

O. (XANTHOGLOSSUM) pseudobulbis ovatis compressis diphyllis, foliis
coriaceis oblongo-ensiformibus scapo simplici brevioribus, sepalis
lanceolatis lateralibus convexis falcatis petalisque oblongis
obtusiusculis latioribus subundulatis, labello subrotundo basi auriculato
sepalis plus duplo breviore, disci cristâ apice truncatâ bituberculatâ
utrinque in medio dente calloque auctâ, columnæ tomentosæ auriculis
rotundatis convexis incurvis.

ODONTOGLOSSUM GRANDE, _Lindl. in Bot. Reg._ 1840, _Misc._ 94; _Bateman_,
_Orchid. Mex._ _t._ 21; _Morren. Ann. Gand._ i. _t._ 37.

Habitat in GUATEMALA, _Skinner_, _Hartweg_.

DESCRIPTION.

PSEUDOBULBS _compressed, broadly ovate, 2 or 3 inches long, bearing 1 or
more frequently_ 2 _leathery, oblong-ensiform_ LEAVES, _which, as well as
the pseudobulbs, have always more or less of a pale-glaucous hue_. SCAPE
_twice the length of the leaves, 4-8-flowered_. BRACTS _sheathing, acute,
half the length of the ovary_. FLOWERS _very large, in some varieties 7
inches or more from the tip of expanded petals_. SEPALS _lanceolate, the
lateral ones convex and falcate_. PETALS _wider than the sepals, and,
like them, of a rich yellow colour, marked with large deep-cinnamon bands
and blotches, oblong, somewhat obtuse at their extremities, and slightly
waved at the margin_. LIP _not half the length of the sepals, nearly
round, whitish, with a few crimson stains near the crest, which is of
rich orange-yellow, marked with deep-orange spots, and is seated on the
disk of the lip; it consists of 2 large truncate processes in front, with
2 or 4 small teeth at its base; its auricles turn their edges down until
they meet under the disk of the lip, and there grow together_. COLUMN
_downy, with a rounded, incurved, convex auricle on either side_.

Mr. Skinner was the fortunate discoverer of this noble _Odontoglossum_ which to this day remains unsurpassed, even among all the fine additions that have of late years been made to the genus. Mr. Skinner found it in a "barranca" (or dark ravine) in the environs of the city of Guatemala, and so closely had it lain concealed that even his quick eye failed to detect it until long after he had, as he thought, exhausted the district of all its finest Orchids. It was afterwards met with in other localities, but invariably in a climate of which the ordinary range of temperature lay between 60° and 70°, and in situations where it was secure of abundant moisture and constant shade. In these peculiarities of its natural habitat the conditions of its successful cultivation are clearly pointed out; yet, strange to say, they were unheeded for twenty years, during which the plants in our Orchid-houses were always in a feeble and sickly state, rarely producing more than two or three flowers on a scape, while the imported specimens showed that at least double that number was the proper quota. Now, however, the case is different, for with a mild temperature and moderate shade they are found to be managed with the most perfect ease and to grow with a vigour that could never have been exceeded in their native wilds. In proof of this we need only turn to the vignette, which is copied from a beautiful photograph kindly sent to me by Joshua Saunders, Esq., and which represents a specimen of _O. grande_ as it appeared when flowering in his collection at Clifton. As a further evidence of the ease with which the plant may be grown I may mention that under the care of Major Trevor Clarke it has been induced to bloom in the open air during the summer months. This, however, must only be looked upon as an interesting experiment and is not recommended for imitation. _O. grande_ usually flowers in July or August, when the season's growth is nearly completed; after this it should be allowed to rest. Mr. Fitch's drawing was taken from a handsome variety that flowered last year (1864) in a north house at Knypersley, and which had been given me by Mr. Skinner.[5]

DISSECTIONS.--1. Front view of column and labellum; 2. Side view of ditto: _slightly magnified_.

Plate IX

PLATE IX.

ODONTOGLOSSUM NÆVIUM, _Lindley_.

SPECKLED ODONTOGLOSSUM.

O. (EUODONTOGLOSSUM) pseudobulbis ovatis compressis, foliis tenuibus
lanceolatis basi angustatis scapo racemoso vel subpaniculato multifloro
nutante subæqualibus vel longioribus, sepalis petalisque angustis
ovato-lanceolatis acuminatis undulatis, labello subconformi pubescente
vix hastato, cristæ dentibus 2 grossis bi- vel subtrilobis pubescentibus,
columnæ cirrhis subulatis patulis.

ODONTOGLOSSUM NÆVIUM, _Lindley in Paxton's Flower Garden_, i. _t._ 18;
_Flore des Serres_, vi. 594; _Pescatorea_, _t._ 13; _Warner's Select
Orchidaceous Plants_, _t._ 7; _Reichenbach fil. in Bonplandia_, ii. 278.

Habitat in VENEZUELA, _Funck and Schlim_ (721), in the province of
Truxillo, near S. Lazaro and La Peña, 6000 feet; NEW GRANADA, in the
province of Pamplona, flowering in August, 8000 feet, _Linden_ (146).

DESCRIPTION.

PSEUDOBULBS _ovate, compressed, somewhat bluntly ribbed, bearing 1 or 2
narrow-oblong_ LEAVES, _tapering at the base, about equal in length to or
more frequently shorter than the many-flowered flower-scape_. FLOWERS
_arranged on a nodding raceme (occasionally a panicle is formed), pure
white, speckled everywhere with rich crimson or brown_. BRACTS _very
short, scale-like_. SEPALS _and_ PETALS _ovate, linear-lanceolate,
acuminate, spreading equally, much waved, from 1½ to (in some varieties)
2 or 2½ inches long_. LIP _shorter than the petals, but nearly of the
same form and colour, except that there is a yellow crest with a large
crimson blotch in its front; at its base the edges of the claw clasp the
column_. TEETH _of the crest yellow, small, distinct, with 2 or 3 unequal
blunt lobes to each, downy_. COLUMN _downy, narrowed to the base, with a
pair of awl-shaped ears near the summit, below the anther-bed_.

This brilliant _Odontoglossum_ was first discovered by the late Sir Robert Schomburgk, and having been shipped with his other collections from Demerara, has long been supposed to be a native of the latter colony. I am, however, satisfied that, beyond the circumstance alluded to, there is not the slightest reason for regarding it as a Demerara plant, for no other collector has ever found it there, nor would its constitution endure so hot a climate. As Sir Robert, in his memorable expedition into the interior of Guiana (1835-37), reached an elevation of 7000 feet, on the fourth parallel of latitude, and among the southern affluents of the Orinoco, I have little doubt that it was in this region that he discovered _O. nævium,_ along with _Maxillaria eburnea_, _Diothonea imbricata_, and other treasures that have never yet found their way to us in a living state.[6]

_O. nævium_ and its varieties appear to be extensively distributed, having been met with in many localities, both in Venezuela and New Granada, always, however, at a very considerable elevation, and hence the necessity of cool treatment. If this be conceded, the plant is of the easiest culture and will flower abundantly in May or June. The figure was taken from a splendid specimen in Mr. Rucker's collection.

I do not think it necessary to adhere any longer to Dr. Lindley's distinction (as noted in the 'Folia Orchidacea') of a "major" variety, for this is now found to pass insensibly into the ordinary type. The former has sometimes been confounded with the _O. gloriosum_ of Reichenbach, but this is a perfectly independent form, and as such will shortly be figured in this work.

DISSECTIONS.--1. Front view of lip and column; 2. Side view of ditto: _magnified_.

Plate X

PLATE X.

ODONTOGLOSSUM CARINIFERUM, _Reichb. fil._

KEEL-PETALED ODONTOGLOSSUM.

O. (XANTHOGLOSSUM) pseudobulbis oblongis 1-2-phyllis, foliis loratis
scapo paniculato brevioribus, sepalis petalisque oblongis acutiusculis
basi subcuneatis dorso carinâ crassâ auctis pergameneis, labello
membranaceo sessili ligulato dimidio anteriori subito in laminam
reniformem denticulatam medio antice apiculatam extenso, lamellis
rhombeis extrorsum biquadridentatis supinis utrinque in ligulâ labelli
basilari, raphi utriusque lamellæ carinatâ antrorsum in tres digitos
excurrente, columnâ elongatâ, alis elongatis crenulatis hyalinis
inferioribus 2 utrinque obtusatis, crassioribus columnâ vix marginatâ.
(_Reichb. fil. in Bot. Zeitung_, 1852, _p._ 638.)

ODONTOGLOSSUM CARINIFERUM, _Lindl. Fol. Orch._

Habitat in AMERICA CENTRALI, _Reichenbach_.

DESCRIPTION.

PSEUDOBULBS _3 or 4 inches long, oblong, smooth, bearing 2 broadish,
leathery, sharp-pointed_ LEAVES. SCAPE _longer than the leaf, panicled
with zigzag branches_. BRACTS _triangular, short_. SEPALS _and_ PETALS _1
inch long, greenish outside, but of a purplish-brown inside, distinctly
keeled at the back_. LIP _yellowish-white, sessile, ligulate at its base,
but suddenly changing into a broad reniform plate, which is apiculate in
front, and at its base adjoins the crest, which consists of 2 nearly
prostrate, irregularly toothed, rhomboid lobes on either side, with 3
finger-like processes in front_. COLUMN _elongated, with transparent
crenulate wings, its anther-bed scarcely margined_.

For the opportunity of figuring this pretty _Odontoglossum_ I am indebted to the kindness of the Bishop of Winchester, in whose collection at Farnham Castle it flowered profusely in November last. A fortnight afterwards I also received specimens from Mr. Rucker, but the flowers of his variety were scarcely so bright in their colouring as those of the Bishop's plant.

_O. cariniferum_, although now figured for the first time, appears to have been introduced several years ago to German collections, and from some of these it has, no doubt, found its way to England. It is a native of Central America, where it probably affects a high elevation, as it succeeds perfectly under cool treatment, both at Farnham Castle and at West Hill. Its flowers continue in perfection for many weeks.

DISSECTIONS.--1. Front view of lip and column; 2. Side view of ditto: _magnified_.

Plate XI

PLATE XI.

ODONTOGLOSSUM LINDLEYANUM.

DR. LINDLEY'S ODONTOGLOSSUM.

O. (EUODONTOGLOSSUM, _Lindl._) pseudobulbis ovato-oblongis compressis
diphyllis, foliis lanceolatis subcoriaceis acutis scapo racemoso
multi-(5-12)floro vix brevioribus, sepalis petalisque lineari-lanceolatis
acuminatis subæqualibus, labello angusto unguiculato hastato utroque
latere angulato in disco bifalcigero basi per carinam cum columnâ
connato. Columna tomentosa, auriculis erectis angustis acuminatis.

ODONTOGLOSSUM LINDLEYANUM, _Reichenbach fil._: _Warsz. Bonpl._ ii. 69;
_Reichenbach_, _Xenia Orch._ _t._ 71; _Walpers_, _Annales._ vi. _fasc._
6.

ODONTOGLOSSUM EPIDENDROIDES, _Lindl. fil._ (_non Hb. Kth. N.G._).

Habitat in PAMPLONA (in sylvis humidis), 8500 ft., _Linden_; Ocaña, 9000
ft., _Schlim_; Ocaña (_floribus majoribus_), _Wagener_; Bogotá, _Weir_.

DESCRIPTION.

PSEUDOBULBS _about 3 inches long, ovate-oblong, compressed, 2-leaved,
sometimes a little spotted_. LEAVES _lanceolate, from a span to a foot
long, rather leathery, sharp-pointed_. RACEME _rather longer than the
leaves, bearing from half-a-dozen to a dozen flowers_. BRACTS _oblong,
acute, about one-third the length of the ovary_. SEPALS _and_ PETALS
_nearly equal, an inch or more long, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, of a
yellowish-green, with a few large chestnut blotches, the arrangement of
which varies in different specimens_. LIP _shorter than the petals,
narrow, unguiculate, hastate, 3-lobed; the lateral lobes forming two
blunt angles, the middle lobe longer, linear-lanceolate, deflexed, with
two large upright slightly-curved horns placed on either side of the
disk; at its base the lip is keeled and united with the column after the
fashion of the Trichopilias; its colour is usually a pale yellow or
yellowish-white with large chestnut bands_. COLUMN _downy, furnished near
the summit with two narrow erect upright acuminate auricles_.

The name of this plant, associated as it is with the memory of the distinguished botanist who has lately passed from among us, is to me suggestive of the most melancholy reflections. Mourn indeed I must, the loss of one who had been my steady friend for five-and-thirty years, and by whose labours among the members of my favourite tribe, I have been enabled to follow a pursuit that has never ceased to be a joy and solace amid all the cares and vicissitudes of life![7]

_O. Lindleyanum_ was so named by Professor Reichenbach, in honour of the great Orchidist whose mantle seems now to have fallen upon himself. It is closely allied to the _O. epidendroides_ of Humboldt and Kunth, from which indeed Dr. Lindley failed to distinguish it, but if the characters of the two species, as represented in the 'Xenia,' prove to be constant, no doubt the German Professor was right in separating them.

Several travellers, including Schlim, Wagener, Warszewicz, and Weir, appear to have met with the plant in various localities in New Granada, but always at a great elevation, hence it must of course be classed among the coolest section of Orchids. It has flowered in the gardens of the Horticultural Society, to which it was sent by their zealous collector Mr. Weir, and also in the collection of Mr. Rucker, where Mr. Fitch made his drawing in the spring of last year (1865).

DISSECTIONS.--1. Lip and column, seen sideways; 2. Ditto seen in front: _magnified_.

Plate XII

PLATE XII.

ODONTOGLOSSUM GLORIOSUM.

FINE ODONTOGLOSSUM.

O. (EUODONTOGLOSSUM, _Lindl._) pseudobulbis ovatis confertis diphyllis,
foliis lato-lanceolatis acutis scapo valido paniculato multifloro
brevioribus, sepalis petalisque oblongo-ligulatis acuminatis stellatis,
labello a basi cordatâ ligulato acuminato, basin versus utrinque
angulato, ceterum hinc illinc denticulato, callo depresso quadrilobulo
nunc quadridentato ante basin, columnâ clavatâ apice utrinque cirrho
setaceo medio inferne unidentato.

ODONTOGLOSSUM GLORIOSUM, _Reichenbach fil._ _Bonpl._ ii. 278; _idem in
Gardeners' Chronicle_ (_New Plants_, _n._ 293, 1865), _et in Walpers_,
_Annales_, vi. _fasc._ 6.

Habitat in N. GRANADA, Soto. 8-9000 p., _Schlim_; Ocaña, 6000 p.,
_Wagener_; Bogotá, _Weir_.

DESCRIPTION.

PSEUDOBULBS _ovate, 2-leaved, growing closely together, 3 or 4 inches
long, turning to a dark colour when old_. LEAVES _broadly-lanceolate,
acute, shorter than the stout much-branched many-flowered panicle_.
FLOWERS _exceedingly variable in size and form and colour; the example in
the Plate representing one of the largest varieties, and the vignette one
of the least. Usually they are about 2 inches across, of a pale ochrish
or greenish-yellow, blotched, or sometimes minutely spotted, with
dark-chestnut_. SEPALS _and_ PETALS _nearly equal, lanceolate, acute
(often narrower than in the figure), slightly waved_. LIP _ligulate,
smooth (not crisp) at the margin, very much attenuated in front, but
heart-shaped at the base, towards which it is abruptly carinate, and
furnished with 2 upright large sharp double teeth_. COLUMN _clavate, with
hairy cirrhi on either side near its apex, and a solitary tooth near the
middle_.

This remarkable _Odontoglossum_ was long since discovered in New Granada by Schlim and Wagener, in whose herbaria its stately many-flowered panicles formed so striking a feature that Professor Reichenbach did not hesitate to give the plant the name of _gloriosum_; an epithet which--now that we have the plant amongst us in a living state--may perhaps be thought to be somewhat beyond its merits. It must indeed be admitted that the fresh blossoms, which are of a faint yellowish-green, scarcely realize the expectations which the rich colour and profusion of flowers in the dried specimens had very naturally raised. Nor are all the varieties of equal merit, some being much smaller and paler than others.

The species has lately been imported in large quantities, both by Messrs. H. Low and Co., of Clapton, and by the Horticultural Society, who received it in 1864 from Mr. Weir, by whom it was gathered in the neighbourhood of Bogotá. It flowers freely, and at all seasons of the year; nor does it appear to care so much as many of its congeners for a few degrees more or less of heat or cold. I believe it has already bloomed in almost every collection of note; though the spikes, as was of course to be expected, are as yet far from equal to the wild specimens.[8] The figure was taken from a plant in Mr. Day's garden, where I saw, in November last, nearly a dozen distinct varieties in blow, some of them rivalling the example given in the Plate, while others were as insignificant as that which is shown in the vignette. The blossoms continue fresh for at least a fortnight, and emit a pleasant honey-like scent.

DISSECTIONS.--1. Lip (_magnified_), seen sideways; 2. Ditto, seen in front.

Plate XIII

PLATE XIII. FIG. 1.

ODONTOGLOSSUM WARNERIANUM,

MR. WARNER'S ODONTOGLOSSUM.

O. (LEUCOGLOSSUM, _Lindl._) pseudobulbis subelongatis compressis
monophyllis, foliis membranaceis oblongis in petiolum canaliculatum
angustatis scapo 2-6-floro brevioribus, bracteis uncialibus acuminatis,
sepalis lineari-lanceolatis acutis, petalis latioribus undulatis, labelli
callo cuneato ovato, antice abrupte trilobo, lobis lateralibus angulatis,
lobo medio forcipato bicruri, longiori, lateribus calli a basi versus
apicem involutis, laminâ cordato-triangulâ obtusâ, margine minute
crispulâ crenulatâ, columnâ gracili clavatâ apterâ.

ODONTOGLOSSUM WARNERIANUM, _Reichenbach fil. in Mohl and Schl. Bot.
Zeit._ 1864, 297; _idem in Gardeners' Chronicle_, 1865, _New Plants_,
_n._ 294.

Habitat in MEXICO (?).

DESCRIPTION.

PSEUDOBULBS _rather long and narrow, compressed, about 3 inches in
length_. LEAVES, _one on each pseudobulb, less than a span long,
membranous, sharp-pointed, narrowed at the base into a channelled
petiole_. BRACTS _about an inch long, scariose, very acuminate_. SCAPE
_longer than the leaves, only partially covered by the bracts, bearing
from 2 to half-a-dozen flowers of a very delicate texture, and of snowy
whiteness with the exception of the yellow crest on the lip and a few
brown blotches on the lower half of the sepals and (though in a less
degree) of the petals also_. SEPALS _rather narrow, oblong, acute_.
PETALS _broader than the sepals and waved at the margin_. LIP _with a
heart-shaped crenulate plate (occasionally suffused with a rosy tint),
and a yellow 3-lobed callus at its base, the front portion of which is
longer than the lateral ones (which are turned inwards from the base
upwards), and split into two divergent members_. COLUMN _slender,
clavate, wingless_.

This pretty species was first described by Professor Reichenbach, from materials derived from the collection of Mr. Warner, of Broomfield, in compliment to whom he named it. It also flowered with the late Mr. Cauty, of Liverpool, who kindly sent me the specimens from which the figure was prepared, but these were smaller and less rich in their colouring than those of Mr. Warner.

We have no precise information as to the locality where _O. Warnerianum_ grows wild, but there can be no doubt that it comes from some part of Mexico, whence we have other species, _e.g._ _O. Rossii_, _O. Ehrenbergii_, and _O. nebulosum_, to all of which it is nearly allied. It flowers in the later autumn and winter months, but like most of the other members of its section (_Leucoglossum_), is of a delicate habit, and requires to be very carefully handled. It seems to prefer a moderate heat and perhaps a slightly drier atmosphere than that in which the New Granada and Peruvian Odontoglossa evidently delight; the compost or materials in which the roots grow, should on no account be allowed to become sodden.

DISSECTIONS.--1. Lip and column (_magnified_), seen in front; 2. Ditto, seen sideways.

PLATE XIII. FIG. 2.

ODONTOGLOSSUM STELLATUM.

STELLATE ODONTOGLOSSUM.

O. (LEUCOGLOSSUM, _Lindl._) pseudobulbis ovalibus compressis, foliis
solitariis lanceolatis recurvis, scapis erectis 1-2-floris brevioribus,
bracteis ovarii triquetri medium non attingentibus, sepalis petalisque
æqualibus linearibus acuminatis herbaceis, labello rhomboideo subrotundo
grosse dentato appendice unguis truncatâ quadridentatâ apice liberâ.

ODONTOGLOSSUM STELLATUM, _Lindl. in Bot. Reg._ 1841, _Misc._ 25; _Fol. Orch._ _n._ 18.

ODONTOGLOSSUM EROSUM, _Reichenbach fil. Bonpl._ ii. 99; _A. Rich. Gal. in Ann. Sc. Nat._ Jan. 1845.

Habitat in GUATEMALA, _Skinner_; MEXICO, _Hartweg_; VERAGUAS, _Warszewicz_.

DESCRIPTION.

PSEUDOBULBS _oval, compressed, about an inch long, glossy, bearing
solitary lanceolate somewhat recurved_ LEAVES, _which are shorter than
the upright 1-(rarely 2-)flowered_ SCAPES. BRACTS _not half so long as
the three-cornered ovary_. SEPALS _and_ PETALS _equal, linear, acuminate,
of a dull olive-green, with a few faint transverse streaks of brown on
their inner side_. LIP _white, rhomboidal, subrotund, with its edges
eroded, and its unguis, or claw, hollow, truncate, free, and divided at
top into two, or rather into four lobes, the two foremost of which
resemble teeth_. COLUMN _slender, wingless_.

There is an air of quaintness about this little _Odontoglossum_ which, insignificant though it be, is spread over a range of territory far more extensive than is occupied by any other member of the genus; for it has been found in Mexico by Hartweg, in Guatemala (on the Volcan del Fuego) by Skinner, and in Veraguas by Warszewicz!

At Knypersley, where the figure was taken, the species flowers freely in the winter and spring, and is managed (in a cool house) without the slightest difficulty.

DISSECTIONS.--1. Column and lip (_magnified_), seen sideways; 2. Ditto, ditto, in front.

Plate XIV

PLATE XIV.

ODONTOGLOSSUM ALEXANDRÆ.

PRINCESS OF WALES' ODONTOGLOSSUM (BLUNT'S VARIETY).

O. (ISANTHIUM, _Lindl._) pseudobulbis ovatis compressis 1- vel 2-phyllis,
racemo simplici multifloro foliis subæquali, bracteis minoribus
cochleatis acutis, floribus membranaceis pedicellis æquantibus, sepalis
petalisque sæpius subæqualibus (interdum petalis multo latioribus),
sepalis lanceolatis acuminatis petalis ovato-lanceolatis acutis
undulato-laceris, labello breviore unguiculato formâ diversissimâ, nunc
sepalis conformi nunc subpanduriformi, apice emarginato (sæpius mucrone
adjecto) margine undulato integro vel sæpius dentato acuto apice recurvo,
disco maculato, cristâ simplici bilamellatâ. Columna arcuata clavata,
alata, alis laceris.

ODONTOGLOSSUM ALEXANDRÆ, _Bateman in Gardeners' Chronicle_, 1864; _et in Proceedings R. Hort. Soc._ _p._ 186 (1864).

ODONTOGLOSSUM BLUNTII, _Reichenbach fil._

Habitat in NOV. GRANADA, prope Pacho, 7-8000 p., _Weir_, _Blunt_.

DESCRIPTION.

_An Epiphyte._ PSEUDOBULBS _smooth, slightly compressed, sometimes
broadly ovate, but occasionally tapering, 2 to 3 inches long, and bearing
1 or 2 linear lanceolate-pointed_ LEAVES, _which are from a few inches to
a foot long, and frequently of rather lax character; a reddish tint is
also sometimes met with both in the leaves and pseudobulbs_. RACEMES
_always simple, about the length of--sometimes longer than--the leaves,
and carrying from two or three to a dozen or more large membranous and
beautiful_ FLOWERS, _which vary exceedingly both in size, form, and
colouring. Usually they are from 2 to 3 inches in diameter, and about
equal to the pedicels_. BRACTS _about half an inch long, pointed, fitting
close to the stem_. SEPALS _lanceolate acuminate, white or rosy-white,
with sometimes one or more brown or purple spots on each_. PETALS
_usually--though not invariably--wider than the sepals, and resembling
them in form and colour, but destitute of spots; both in the sepals and
petals the edges are usually more or less curled or waved_. LIP _recurved
at the apex, exceedingly variable in its outline; in some examples almost
exactly resembling the sepals, in others taking more or less a
panduriform shape (in which case the apex, instead of pointed, is round,
emarginate, with a point or mucro); the edges too, which are sometimes
entire, are much more frequently jagged or toothed; the short unguis, or
claw, is longitudinally callose; and where it expands into the disk, ends
in two straight pointed and diverging teeth, which, like the claw, are
yellow, the rest of the lip being white, with or without spots of the
same character as those found in the sepals; there are a few red or brown
lines which radiate or spread out like a fan on either side of the teeth
composing the crest, but they do not, as in_ O. PESCATOREI, _form a
detached flap_. COLUMN _short, arched, club-shaped, with broad truncate
wings that are more or less jagged or fringed_.

This most charming _Odontoglossum_ was discovered in 1863 by Mr. Weir, at an elevation of from 7000 to 8000 feet, in the gloomy forests that clothe the slopes of the lofty mountain-ranges at the rear of the City of Santa Fé de Bogotá. As the wild specimens of the flowers that he sent home to the Horticultural Society indicated not only a new species, but one of surpassing beauty, I did not hesitate at once to dedicate it to the illustrious Princess whose name it will henceforth bear. Since the first description of the plant appeared in the 'Gardeners' Chronicle' many living plants have been received both by the Royal Horticultural Society and by Messrs. Hugh Low and Co., of Clapton, several of which have bloomed and, even in their first feeble attempts to flower, have more than justified the very high expectations formed of the plant which, as it gathers strength, cannot fail to become an established favourite with all Orchid-lovers.

It proves to be a most variable species, and I am not surprised that my accomplished friend Professor Reichenbach should have considered the first examples sent to him from Clapton to differ so materially from those of _O. Alexandræ_, as described by myself, as to justify his regarding them as a distinct form, to which, in honour of Messrs. Low's very zealous collector, he gave the designation of _Bluntii_. Since then, however, so many intermediate varieties have made their appearance that it is clearly impossible to regard the two supposed species as really distinct.

Specimens of the plant have been sent to me by Messrs. Low, Mr. W. W. Buller, Mr. Rucker, Mr. Day, and Mr. Paterson; it has also flowered at Knypersley, but as yet no two specimens have been alike for, while some were beautifully spotted on the lip and petals with brown or crimson, others, with the exception of the golden crest on the labellum, were of the purest white. To the last-named class belonged the specimens grown by Mr. Buller and Mr. Paterson, the latter of which were so eminently lovely that they will form the subject of a separate Plate. Mr. Blunt's name may very properly be associated with the spotted variety now figured, and which was taken from a plant that he sent to his employers at Clapton.

_O. Alexandræ_ is nearly allied to _O. crispum_ and _O. Pescatorei_; but, independently of the structure of its flowers, differs from both in its invariably producing simple racemes instead of branched panicles. It flowers freely in the winter and spring months, and may apparently be cultivated with the greatest ease. Of course, coming as it does from a great elevation, it must not be kept too warm.

DISSECTIONS.--1. Lip and column (_magnified_), seen in front. 2. Ditto, ditto, seen sideways.

Plate XV

PLATE XV.

ODONTOGLOSSUM REICHENHEIMII.