Plate XXIV.

Dissections of Odontoglossum triumphans1. Front view of lip and column; 2. Side view of ditto:magnified.

1. Front view of lip and column; 2. Side view of ditto:magnified.

Plate 24

Odontoglossum Krameri.Odontoglossum Krameri.

Odontoglossum Krameri.

ODONTOGLOSSUM KRAMERI.

KRAMER'S ODONTOGLOSSUM.

O. pseudobulbis suborbicularibus valde compressis ancipitibus 1-phyllis, foliis oblongo-lanceolatis, scapis ascendentibus vel sub-pendulis foliis brevioribus pauci-(2-5) floris, sepalis petalisque oblongis acutis subæqualibus, labelli ungue 2-calloso laminâ subquadratâ 2-lobâ pallide-roseo-violaceâ plagâ basi utrinque semilunari albâ aureo et purpureo maculatâ.Odontoglossum Krameri,Reichenbach fil. in Gard. Chron.1868, p. 98.Floral Mag.t.406 (sub O. Krameri).Hooker in Bot. Mag.t.5778.Habitat inCosta-Rica.

Odontoglossum Krameri,Reichenbach fil. in Gard. Chron.1868, p. 98.Floral Mag.t.406 (sub O. Krameri).Hooker in Bot. Mag.t.5778.

Habitat inCosta-Rica.

DESCRIPTION.

Pseudobulbsnearly round, flattened, 2-edged, 1-leaved;Leavesoblong-lanceolate, leas than a foot long, by about an inch wide, longer than theScapeswhich bear from 2 to 5 flowers.Peduncleswith the ovary one to one and a half inches long.Flowersone to one and a half inches in diameter.SepalsandPetalssubequal oblong-acute, pale violet-red in the centre with broad white margins.Lipone-third of an inch wide, neck short, broad, deeply hollowed in front with two erect calli; limb subquadrate, two-lobed at the apex, angles rounded, the basal lateral lobes small, reflexed, pale violet-red with two confluent semilunar white patches at the base, on each of which is a concentric red-brown band, and a few spots of the same colour on a golden yellow ground.Columnshort, thick, without wings or appendages. (Hooker, l. c.)

This though not a striking is a very distinct plant. It is a native of Costa-Rica, where it seems to be plentiful enough though it long eluded detection. It was first exhibited in 1868 by Mr. Veitch at one of the shows at S. Kensington, but appeared almost simultaneously in the collection of Mr. Day, by whose direction a careful drawing was prepared. Like other Costa-Rica plants, though not requiring a high temperature, it is scarcely content with the small amount of heat that is now allotted to the great majority of cool Orchids. Its proper place would be in the Mexican House. It is a free bloomer.

Plate 25

Odontoglossum cordatum.Odontoglossum cordatum.

Odontoglossum cordatum.

ODONTOGLOSSUM CORDATUM.

HEART-LIPPED ODONTOGLOSSUM.

O. (Euodontoglossum) pseudobulbis oblongis compressis monophyllis, foliis lato-oblongis planis acutis scapo squamis carinatis vaginato brevioribus, racemo simplici vel paniculato, bracteis navicularibus acuminatis membranaceis, ovario multo brevioribus, sepalis petalisque lineari-lanceolatis acuminatissimis, labello cordato acuminatissimo integerrimo, appendice unguis carnosâ apice bilobâ basi utrinque dente unico auctâ, columnâ pubescente clavatâ subapterâ.Odontoglossum cordatum,Lindl. in Bot. Reg., 1838,misc.90;Knowles and Westcott,Floral Cabinet,t.100;Paxton's Mag., xiii. 147;Regel. Garten-flora, 1862, 356;Pescatorea, i. 26.Habitat inMexico,Barker.Guatemala,Hartweg,Skinner.

Odontoglossum cordatum,Lindl. in Bot. Reg., 1838,misc.90;Knowles and Westcott,Floral Cabinet,t.100;Paxton's Mag., xiii. 147;Regel. Garten-flora, 1862, 356;Pescatorea, i. 26.

Habitat inMexico,Barker.Guatemala,Hartweg,Skinner.

DESCRIPTION.

Pseudobulbsoblong, very much compressed and very sharp at the edges, 1½ to 2 inches long.Leavesone (rarely if ever two) on each pseudobulb and broadly-oblong acute shorter than the scape.ScapeandRacemesheathed at intervals with long keel-shaped membranaceousBracts,few or many flowered, simple or (more rarely) branched, from one to two feet high.SepalsandPetalsnearly equal, linear-lanceolate, extremely acuminate, an inch or more long, greenish-yellow richly blotched with brown.Lipshorter than the sepals heart-shaped, with a very acuminate slightly recurved apex, white with dark brown spots and a purplish 2-lobed callus at the base.Columnpubescent, club-shaped, almost wingless.

Though scarcely to be classed among the more attractive species,O. cordatumis occasionally seen at our Shows with branching scapes 2 feet high and flowers much more richly coloured than those in the Plate. It is found both in Mexico and Guatemala (whence plants were sent to me by my lamented friend Skinner), but always at high elevations.

It flowers in the early summer without any special treatment, except that it is perhaps more impatient of water than some of its congeners.

Plate XXVI

Odontoglossum angustatum.Odontoglossum angustatum.

Odontoglossum angustatum.

ODONTOGLOSSUM ANGUSTATUM.

NARROW-PETALLED ODONTOGLOSSUM.

O. (Isanthium) pseudobulbis ovato-oblongis compressis, foliis longis lato-lanceolatis erectis acutis paniculâ ramosâ elatâ brevioribus, bracteis carinatis acutis ovario multò brevioribus, sepalis petalisque subæqualibus undulatis unguiculatis, labello ovato-lanceolato acuminato reflexo, cristæ lamellis lateralibus membranaceis trifidis, digitis anterioribus majoribus, callo obtuso interposito, columnâ apterâ.

Odontoglossum angustatum,Lindl. in Bot. Reg.subt. 1992,Folia Orchid., 48;Rchb. fil.;Walper's Annales, vi. p. 841.

Habitat inPeru, (alt. 8000 ft.,)Hall,Hartweg,Linden.

DESCRIPTION.

A very stately plant.Pseudobulbsovate-oblong compressed, 2 or 3 inches long, 1 (or ? 2) leaved.Leavesone to one and a half feet long, linear-lanceolate acute, shorter than the upright branching zigzag many-floweredPanicles.Bractskeeled, acute, much shorter than the ovaries.SepalsandPetalsnearly equal, unguiculate, acuminate, undulated, white with beautiful purple spots on their lower portions.Lipwhite, or nearly so, shorter than the petals, ovate-lanceolate, the apex acuminate and exceedingly recurved, having at its sides two membranous lamellæ, divided into three unequal parts, those in front the larger and projecting forwards like horns or fingers with a blunt callus lying between them.Columnnot half the length of the lip, and destitute of wings.

This is a very distinct species, as remarkable amongOdontoglossawith its white and purple flowers, as isOncidium incurvum, with blossoms of similar hues, among the innumerable members of that still more extensive genus. Although originally discovered by Colonel Hall more than a quarter of a century ago, no genuine plants—there have been impostors in plenty—seem to have reached Europe alive before the year 1871, when it was introduced by M. Linden; by whom also, in the following spring, flowering specimens were exhibited at South Kensington and universally admired. According to Lindley, the species is nearly allied to hisO. ramosissimum, from which, indeed, he at one time failed to distinguish it. M. Linden's plant, which is faithfully rendered in Mr. Fitch's drawing, does not exactly answer to the descriptions in the Folia Orchidacea either ofO. angustatumorO. ramosissimum, but is apparently a connecting link between the two, whence I infer the probability that both the above supposed species will eventually be found to be one and the same.

The plant is still exceedingly scarce, and as it is indistinguishable in habit from many otherOdontoglossaderived from the same rich country (Peru), I would warn cultivators against purchasing any specimens that have not actually proved themselves to be true. It belongs to the cooler sections of its race, and must be treated accordingly.

Plate XXVII

Odontoglossum coronarium.Odontoglossum coronarium.

Odontoglossum coronarium.

ODONTOGLOSSUM CORONARIUM.

ROYAL ODONTOGLOSSUM.

O. (Trymenium) rhizomate caulescente, pseudobulbis brunneis ovalibus compressis monophyllis, foliis rigidis coriaceis basi canaliculatis acutis racemo multifloro dense racemoso subæqualibus vel longioribus, bracteis linearibus canaliculatis ovario triplô brevioribus, sepalis petalisque subrotundis unguiculatis planis margine crispis, labello longê cuneato retuso basi auriculis unidentatis subfalcatis obtusis subtus in unam connatis acuto, inter auriculas tuberculis duobus hoc didymo illo inferiore simplici; clinandrio subserrato lobis rotundatis (Lindl.)Odontoglossum coronarium,Lindl. Folia Orchid.;Linden,Pescatorea, t. 47.Habitat inN. Grenada,propèLa Baja, Pamplona, (alt. 7000 ft.,)Schlim.

Odontoglossum coronarium,Lindl. Folia Orchid.;Linden,Pescatorea, t. 47.

Habitat inN. Grenada,propèLa Baja, Pamplona, (alt. 7000 ft.,)Schlim.

DESCRIPTION.

A stout and rigid plant.Pseudobulbsoval, compressed, 3 or more inches long, of a brownish hue, placed at intervals on a stiff caulescentRhizome.Leavesone on each pseudobulb, leathery, sharp-pointed, channelled near the base, a foot or more long, equal to or longer than the flower-scapes.Bractslinear channelled, only one third the length of the ovary.Racemesabout a foot high, upright, bearing from a dozen to twenty flowers in a dense mass.SepalsandPetalsequal, subrotund, unguiculate, smooth, with their margins crisp or curled, about an inch long, of a rich reddish coppery brown on the upper surface, shining as if they had been varnished, yellowish underneath.Lipyellow, retuse, about same length as the petals, obovate, rounded at apex, narrowed and wedge-shaped at the base, where the sides arrange themselves into two narrow blunt falcate horns which are united on the under side.Crestconsisting of three processes.Columnslightly curved with two truncate rounded wings.

This species has been long known, but it was slow in making its appearance, and slow likewise in flowering after it had reached us. During the last four years both Messrs. Veitch and M. Linden have succeeded in importing it alive, but it has only produced flowers in two or three instances; the finest specimens I have seen being those exhibited by Lord Londesborough during the present spring (1874). Even in its native country it seems to be a shy flowerer. As it is never met with lower than 7000 feet on the mountains of Pamplona, it of course requires a cooler treatment than many of its congeners which affect a lower level. The shining surface of the sepals and petals is very remarkable, and has the appearance of being due to a coat of the best varnish. Another species,O. brevifolium, found in lofty mountains in Peru, is closely allied to this, if indeed, which I greatly doubt, it be anything more than a very high-level variety of it.

Plate XXVIII

Odontoglossum blandum.Odontoglossum blandum.

Odontoglossum blandum.

ODONTOGLOSSUM BLANDUM.

PLEASANT ODONTOGLOSSUM.

O. (Euodontoglossum) pseudobulbis ovatis 1-2-phyllis, foliis lineari-lanceolatis acutis racemis multifloris subæqualibus, sepalis petalisque cuneato-lanceis acuminatis; labelli ungue bilamellato, lamellis oblongis antice obtusangulis, laminâ ab ungue cuneato velutino ampliato ovatâ acuminatâ crispulâ, cornubus brevibus geminis ante lamellas, antepositis falcibus geminis, tumore parvo interjecto; cirrhis columnæ basi angulatæ bifidis setaceis.

Odontoglossum blandum,Rchb. fil. in Gardeners' Chronicle, p. 1342 (1872).

Habitat inOcaña,Blunt,Roezl.

DESCRIPTION.

Plantabout a span across, in a compact mass.Pseudobulbsovate, somewhat compressed, about an inch long, bearing 1 (rarely 2) narrow lanceolateLeavesof about the same length as the slender nodding many-floweredRacemes.TheFlowers,of which there are from six to twelve (or more) crowded together on the racemes, are all expanded at the same time, and emit a pleasant honey-like smell.SepalsandPetalsnearly equal, less than an inch long, lanceolate, acuminate, of a creamy white sprinkled over with numerous crimson dots.Lipabout the same length as the sepals, and of the same hue, but destitute of spots except at the apex, the central portion bearing a large crimson mark nearly in the form of the letterW;the lip's base is formed of two parallel blunt lamellæ out of which springs the main limb which is broadly ovate, curled and jagged at the edges and recurved and acuminate at its extremity; at the point of junction with the unguis or claw occur two horned falcate processes, between which a small tumour is interposed, at foot of which are two short and blunt horns.Columnshort, bifid, angular with three or four straggling cirrhi or filaments on either side.

Plantabout a span across, in a compact mass.

Pseudobulbsovate, somewhat compressed, about an inch long, bearing 1 (rarely 2) narrow lanceolateLeavesof about the same length as the slender nodding many-floweredRacemes.TheFlowers,of which there are from six to twelve (or more) crowded together on the racemes, are all expanded at the same time, and emit a pleasant honey-like smell.SepalsandPetalsnearly equal, less than an inch long, lanceolate, acuminate, of a creamy white sprinkled over with numerous crimson dots.Lipabout the same length as the sepals, and of the same hue, but destitute of spots except at the apex, the central portion bearing a large crimson mark nearly in the form of the letterW;the lip's base is formed of two parallel blunt lamellæ out of which springs the main limb which is broadly ovate, curled and jagged at the edges and recurved and acuminate at its extremity; at the point of junction with the unguis or claw occur two horned falcate processes, between which a small tumour is interposed, at foot of which are two short and blunt horns.Columnshort, bifid, angular with three or four straggling cirrhi or filaments on either side.

This pretty littleOdontoglossumcomes from Ocaña, where it was first discovered by Mr. Low's collector many years ago. At that time none of the plants reached England alive, but some dried specimens that found their way to Professor Reichenbach, enabled the great German Orchidist to name and describe the species; which turns out to be nearly allied toO. nævium. It has been met with by M. Roezl and other collectors, but is still a rare plant, as its constitution is apt to succumb under a long journey by sea and land. The specimens from which Mr. Fitch prepared his drawing, flowered in the spring of 1871, in the collection of the Royal Horticultural Society;—the plants having been purchased at one of Stevens' sales, among a "miscellaneous lot" of doubtful things. The species is a free-flowerer, and sends out an agreeable honey-like odour, but in point of beauty is scarcely a rival forO. nævium. It seems to require rather more heat than the latter species, which is one of the coolest of cool Orchids.

Plate XXIX

Odontoglossum vexillarium.Odontoglossum vexillarium.

Odontoglossum vexillarium.

ODONTOGLOSSUM VEXILLARIUM.

BROAD-LIPPED ODONTOGLOSSUM.

O. (Phalænopsidea) pseudobulbis ovato-oblongis compressis 1-2-phyllis; foliis pedalibus subglaucescentibus carinatis lanceolatis acutis pedunculis gracilibus 2-6-floris subæqualibus; bracteis triangulis minutis; floribus maximis roseo suffusis; sepalis oblongo-ligulatis apiculatis; petalis conformibus vel paulò latioribus subacutis vel obtusis; labello maximio flabellato orbiculari bilobo, in unguem brevem hastatum contracto, carinis quinis abruptis in basi; columnâ brevissimâ exalatâ.Odontoglossum vexillarium,Rchb. fil. in Gard. Chron.1867, 901;ibid.1872, p. 667,cum Xylo; 1873, p. 580, 644,cum Xylo, 885;Hooker in Bot. Mag.t. 6037;Illustration Horticole, 1873, Pl. cxiii.Habitat inN. Grenada,Bowman,Wallis,Roezl,Chesterton.

Odontoglossum vexillarium,Rchb. fil. in Gard. Chron.1867, 901;ibid.1872, p. 667,cum Xylo; 1873, p. 580, 644,cum Xylo, 885;Hooker in Bot. Mag.t. 6037;Illustration Horticole, 1873, Pl. cxiii.

Habitat inN. Grenada,Bowman,Wallis,Roezl,Chesterton.

DESCRIPTION.

Pseudobulbsflattened, ovate-oblong, an inch or inch and a half long, bearing one or two keeled sharp-ended lanceolateLeavesfrom six inches to a foot long, by an inch or more wide, with a glaucous tint, especially on their upper surface.Scapesslender, nodding, about the same length as the leaves, two to six-flowered, clasped at intervals by small triangularBracts.Flowersflat, the largest in the genus, tinted more or less deeply with lovely rose.SepalsandPetalssomewhat variable in their relative forms, in most cases nearly the same size, oblong or obovate apiculate or obtuse, about an inch long, the former nearly white, the latter of the same hue as the lip.Lipgenerally of a rich rosy tint, expanding from a narrow sagittate claw into a round and ample, 2-lobed disk, more than double the size of the petals, with five dwarf calli and some yellow streaks at its base.Columnvery short with rarely a trace of wings.

This is the handsomest of knownOdontoglossa. In the year 1867 Mr. Low showed me a solitary flower, which had been sent to him by his collector (Bowman, I believe), but a discreet silence was observed as to the locality where the prodigy had been found, nor, alas, did living plants ever make their way to the Clapton Nursery. Subsequently the species was met with by Wallis—when collecting for Mr. Linden—and later still by Roezl; but although in each case a large number of specimens were packed up and despatched to Europe, they either died on the passage, or shortly after their arrival. Indeed, cultivators were almost beginning to despair, when, early in the spring of last year (1873), the arrival was announced of a small cargo of the beauteous novelty in most excellent condition at the establishment of Messrs. Veitch; to whom it had been forwarded by Mr. Henry Chesterton. Once safe in the Chelsea collection, it did not put the patience of Orchid-growers to any severe strain, for within little more than three months of its arrival vigorous flower-spikes were produced, and the plant itself exhibited—both in Regent's Park and at South Kensington—to the envy and admiration of all beholders. It seems to be very easy to manage, and produces its flower-scapes with the utmost profusion. Like all its congeners, it must be relegated to the cool Orchid-house, though probably it will be found to prefer the warmest end.

Professor Reichenbach has written several articles in theGardeners' Chronicleabout this plant, in one of which he deplores, and most justly, the wanton waste and havoc committed by collectors; who, instead of contenting themselves with a moderate number of specimens, gather them by hundreds, or even by thousands, thus imperilling the very existence of species which, like the present, are believed to possess only a very restricted habitat. Nor does this recklessness often benefit their employers, for in most cases, the larger the consignment, the smaller the chance of its prospering on its way.

The woodcut is copied from a photograph of a small specimen ofO. vexillarium, taken in New Grenada, in the act of flowering.

A small specimen of Odontoglossum vexillarium

Plate XXX

Odontoglossum Roezlii.Odontoglossum Roezlii.

Odontoglossum Roezlii.

ODONTOGLOSSUM ROEZLII.

ROEZL'S ODONTOGLOSSUM.

O. (Phalænopsidea) affine O. vexillario, pseudobulbis ovato-oblongis ancipitibus compressis 1-2-phyllis, foliis lineari-ligulatis inferne striatis pedunculis 1-3-floris longioribus; sepalis oblongo-ligulatis acutis, petalis sublatioribus; labello a basi angustâ sagittatâ cuneato flabellato obtuse bilobo; carinis ternis in imâ basi; prepositâ lamellâ transversâ seu callis parvis geminis; columnâ apterâ.

Odontoglossum Roezlii,Rchb. fil. Xenia Orchidacea, ii.;idem in Gard. Chron.p. 1302, (cum Xylo) 1873.

Habitat inN. Grenada,Roezl;Backhouse in Gard. Chron.p. 1334, (1873).

DESCRIPTION.

A compact plant, of which thePseudobulbsare ovate-oblong, 1-2 inches long and much compressed; these bear one or two bright green linear acuteLeaves,which are remarkable for their parallel streaks—nine in number—on the under side, and are from six to ten inches long, and about ½ inch wide. TheScapesorPedunclesare shorter than the leaves, and bear from one to three (possibly more) large and beautiful flowers, which with the exception of some markings at the base of the petals and on the lip are of snowy whiteness.Sepalsoblong-ligulate pointed at the extremity, fully an inch long.Petalsrather wider than the sepals and with a rich crimson blotch at their base.Lipwedge-shaped, expanding from a narrow sagittate base into a broad two-lobed disk, an inch and a half wide, white with some bright yellow markings near the foot and in the region of theCrest;the latter being formed by three slightly raised "carinæ" or ridges near the base on either side, traversed by two moderate sized calli placed in front.Columnwingless.

This is a most charmingOdontoglossum, allied to the preceding and toO. phalænopsis, but perfectly distinct from either. Its bright green narrow leaves—streaked like those ofSaccolabium Blumei, at once distinguish the plant, even when out of flower, from its fascinating rivalO. vexillarium; which always bears a glaucous hue, and which has larger and broader foliage, and produces double the number of flowers on a scape. The first rumours that reached us of the plant led to a suspicion that it might, after all, be only a variety ofO. vexillarium, but these unworthy fears were at once dispelled by the flowering of the plant itself at Mr. Bull's nursery in the early part of last September, when Mr. Fitch prepared his drawing, and Professor Reichenbach obtained materials for the description which appeared in theGardeners' Chronicleof September 27, 1873. The Professor has also given, in hisXenia, a characteristic representation of the wild plant constructed from the specimens supplied to him by its fortunate discoverer, Mr. Roezl; in whose honour the species is very properly named. It is a native of New Grenada, and, likeO. vexillarium, appears to be exceedingly rare; we must not, therefore, murmur if the precise locality—of which the knowledge is a fortune in itself—should be for awhile withheld. But there would have been no harm in telling us the approximate elevation of the native habitat, as the same is always important as a clue to culture; especially in the case of plants with a limited range. In this instance I apprehend that bothO. RoezliiandO. vexillariumare not found at averyhigh level and that therefore—though happily entitled to rank among "cool" Orchids—they must be placed in the warmer division of the "cool" Orchid-house.

The woodcut represents, for purposes of comparison, two nearly alliedOdontoglossa, viz.,O. pulchellumandO. Egertonianum; they both come from the same country (Guatemala) and closely resemble each other in habit—only that the pseudobulbs of the latter have much the sharper edges—but the flowers are very different. The spikes ofO. Egertonianum(2) are a sort of Orchid-imitation of the racemes of the "Lily of the Valley," though unfortunately they have no perfume, while those ofO. pulchellum(1) emit a delicious, almond-like odour, not very unlike that ofGardenia radicans; they are, moreover, very chaste and beautiful, and are freely produced during the winter months. Under these circumstances the species has long since become, what it well deserved to be, an established popular favourite. Yet on its introduction some five-and-thirty years ago—I had then just received the plant from my lamented friend Mr. G. U. Skinner—its first feeble attempts to flower left such an impression of its insignificance upon my mind, that I churlishly refused it a place among the magnates of its family in "The Orchidaceæ of Mexico and Guatemala" on which I was then engaged! But greater discrimination in the treatment of our plants—in other words the recognition of the system of "Cool-Orchid-growing"—has led to a more just appreciation of its merits.

Odontoglossum pulchellum and Odontoglossum Egertonianum

[1]The mention of the illustrious traveller's name reminds me of the obligations under which he laid me when I first visited Berlin, in the spring of 1836; for, young as I was, he deigned to pour into my delighted ears all the stores of Orchid-lore collected during his memorable wanderings among the Andes of New Grenada and Peru. Here, he said, the greatest store of beauteous Orchids was to be found, and we are now beginning to realize the truth of his remark.

The mention of the illustrious traveller's name reminds me of the obligations under which he laid me when I first visited Berlin, in the spring of 1836; for, young as I was, he deigned to pour into my delighted ears all the stores of Orchid-lore collected during his memorable wanderings among the Andes of New Grenada and Peru. Here, he said, the greatest store of beauteous Orchids was to be found, and we are now beginning to realize the truth of his remark.

[2]Cool Orchids from the interior of South America, have either to be carried across the Andes, where the intense cold of the passes is often fatal to them, or to be conveyed by a tedious voyage down the great rivers, where the heat is greater than their constitution—often delicate—can endure. In this way whole importations have been lost, including, I am sorry to say, one or two cargoes of the exquisiteOdontoglossum Warczewitzii(figured in Reichenbach's "Xenia") which still unhappily remains a desideratum.

Cool Orchids from the interior of South America, have either to be carried across the Andes, where the intense cold of the passes is often fatal to them, or to be conveyed by a tedious voyage down the great rivers, where the heat is greater than their constitution—often delicate—can endure. In this way whole importations have been lost, including, I am sorry to say, one or two cargoes of the exquisiteOdontoglossum Warczewitzii(figured in Reichenbach's "Xenia") which still unhappily remains a desideratum.

[3]As most of theOdontoglossarequire to be treated in the same way, I transcribe, from the 'Guide to Cool-Orchid Growing' (Reeve, 1864), the following instructions for the culture of the genus:—"They will all succeed perfectly in a low lean-to house facing the north, the mean temperature of which need not exceed 60°. They should stand on a shelf of slate or stone, near the glass, but should always be protected from the direct rays of the sun. Constant humidity should be maintained by damping the shelves and floors, but the plants themselves will only require water in moderation, and what is given to them should pass away freely, for if it stagnates, or if the compost in which they grow becomes sodden, the roots will immediately decay. A gentle evaporation is greatly assisted by placing layers of moss—to be kept damp of course—on the shelves whereon the plants stand.Odontoglossacannot endure wooden blocks, but will thrive in a compost of which one-half consists of small broken potsherds, the remainder being a mixture of shredded sphagnum (dusted with fine sand) and fibrous peat. About one-third of the entire depth of the pots may be filled with this mixture, the other two-thirds containing nothing but large pieces of broken pots, so as to admit as much air as possible to the roots. The pots in which the plants are grown should stand on other pots (inverted) placed in saucers of water, in order to secure humidity and protect them from wood-lice. Nearly all the species flower during the winter or spring months, a circumstance that greatly enhances their value. Many,e. g.O. pulchellum, are deliciously fragrant, and the flowers of nearly all the species remain in perfection for weeks, whether left on the plants or cut for bouquets. In so vast a genus we shall, no doubt, meet with many idiosyncrasies, but nine-tenths of the species will flourish under the treatment indicated above, and which may be regarded as suitable to the majority of cool Orchids. MostOdontoglossaare, like theMasdevallias, very impatient of the knife, and cannot therefore be rapidly multiplied. They have also a peculiar aversion to fumigation by tobacco, which causes their leaves to fall off."

As most of theOdontoglossarequire to be treated in the same way, I transcribe, from the 'Guide to Cool-Orchid Growing' (Reeve, 1864), the following instructions for the culture of the genus:—"They will all succeed perfectly in a low lean-to house facing the north, the mean temperature of which need not exceed 60°. They should stand on a shelf of slate or stone, near the glass, but should always be protected from the direct rays of the sun. Constant humidity should be maintained by damping the shelves and floors, but the plants themselves will only require water in moderation, and what is given to them should pass away freely, for if it stagnates, or if the compost in which they grow becomes sodden, the roots will immediately decay. A gentle evaporation is greatly assisted by placing layers of moss—to be kept damp of course—on the shelves whereon the plants stand.Odontoglossacannot endure wooden blocks, but will thrive in a compost of which one-half consists of small broken potsherds, the remainder being a mixture of shredded sphagnum (dusted with fine sand) and fibrous peat. About one-third of the entire depth of the pots may be filled with this mixture, the other two-thirds containing nothing but large pieces of broken pots, so as to admit as much air as possible to the roots. The pots in which the plants are grown should stand on other pots (inverted) placed in saucers of water, in order to secure humidity and protect them from wood-lice. Nearly all the species flower during the winter or spring months, a circumstance that greatly enhances their value. Many,e. g.O. pulchellum, are deliciously fragrant, and the flowers of nearly all the species remain in perfection for weeks, whether left on the plants or cut for bouquets. In so vast a genus we shall, no doubt, meet with many idiosyncrasies, but nine-tenths of the species will flourish under the treatment indicated above, and which may be regarded as suitable to the majority of cool Orchids. MostOdontoglossaare, like theMasdevallias, very impatient of the knife, and cannot therefore be rapidly multiplied. They have also a peculiar aversion to fumigation by tobacco, which causes their leaves to fall off."

[4]The idea thatCuitlauzina pendulamight possibly be identical withOdontoglossum citrosmumhad more than once occurred to myself, but Lexarza's character of the flower-scape,—which he described as "bracteis destitutus,"—had always proved an insuperable difficulty. It seems, however, that the scapes of the otherOdontoglossathat he met with happened to be entirely clothed with large inflated bracts; our present plant therefore, in which they occur only at long intervals and are exceedingly minute, may in comparison be said to be almost "destitute" of them.

The idea thatCuitlauzina pendulamight possibly be identical withOdontoglossum citrosmumhad more than once occurred to myself, but Lexarza's character of the flower-scape,—which he described as "bracteis destitutus,"—had always proved an insuperable difficulty. It seems, however, that the scapes of the otherOdontoglossathat he met with happened to be entirely clothed with large inflated bracts; our present plant therefore, in which they occur only at long intervals and are exceedingly minute, may in comparison be said to be almost "destitute" of them.

[5]Mr. Skinner has lately received from Guatemala some magnificent specimens ofO. grande, which are incorporated withmasses of Fernand other shade-loving plants. Cultivators might make a good practical use of the well-known maxim "noscitur a sociis" in this case.

Mr. Skinner has lately received from Guatemala some magnificent specimens ofO. grande, which are incorporated withmasses of Fernand other shade-loving plants. Cultivators might make a good practical use of the well-known maxim "noscitur a sociis" in this case.

[6]I copy Sir Robert's description of the locality in which these plants were found, in the hope that some collector may be induced to visit so interesting a region:—"TheDiothoneawas met with on the high mountain-chain between the sixty-fifth and sixty-sixth meridian and the fourth parallel of latitude, at an elevation of 6-7000 feet above the sea-level. The summits of those elevations are thickly covered with two species of Lichen, the white colour of which conveys the supposition that the ground is covered with snow. The thermometer stood frequently in the morning at 57° F., which, connected with the snow-white Lichens, powerfully reminded us of a winter landscape. Indeed, the stunted trees, with grey tortuous branches, would have assisted to make the picture complete, if numerousOrchidaceæ, conjointly with green Mosses, had not clothed them. Indeed, it was theOrchidaceæalone that gave the vegetation a tropical aspect.... We discovered theMaxillarianear Mount Maravaca."—Lindl. Sert. Orch.sub t.xl.

I copy Sir Robert's description of the locality in which these plants were found, in the hope that some collector may be induced to visit so interesting a region:—"TheDiothoneawas met with on the high mountain-chain between the sixty-fifth and sixty-sixth meridian and the fourth parallel of latitude, at an elevation of 6-7000 feet above the sea-level. The summits of those elevations are thickly covered with two species of Lichen, the white colour of which conveys the supposition that the ground is covered with snow. The thermometer stood frequently in the morning at 57° F., which, connected with the snow-white Lichens, powerfully reminded us of a winter landscape. Indeed, the stunted trees, with grey tortuous branches, would have assisted to make the picture complete, if numerousOrchidaceæ, conjointly with green Mosses, had not clothed them. Indeed, it was theOrchidaceæalone that gave the vegetation a tropical aspect.... We discovered theMaxillarianear Mount Maravaca."—Lindl. Sert. Orch.sub t.xl.

[7]I allude of course to those remarkable works of Dr. Lindley, theOrchidearum Genera et Speciesand theFolia Orchidacea(the latter of which he was not destined to complete), with which the science of Orchidology may be said to have arisen, and which will continue its text-books for all time to come.

I allude of course to those remarkable works of Dr. Lindley, theOrchidearum Genera et Speciesand theFolia Orchidacea(the latter of which he was not destined to complete), with which the science of Orchidology may be said to have arisen, and which will continue its text-books for all time to come.

[8]It may be well, once for all, to state that in the case of species that have not been long imported, and which have therefore not had time to acquire their full strength, the number and arrangement of flowers in the figures is taken from native specimens where such are available. It sometimes happens that the "wild" standard is never reached in cultivation, but it is more frequently exceeded.

It may be well, once for all, to state that in the case of species that have not been long imported, and which have therefore not had time to acquire their full strength, the number and arrangement of flowers in the figures is taken from native specimens where such are available. It sometimes happens that the "wild" standard is never reached in cultivation, but it is more frequently exceeded.

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