O D O N T O G L O S S U M P H A L J E N O P S I S , itchb.fii.
M O T I I - L I K E O D O N T O G L O S S U M.
O. (LEUCOGI-OSSUM, Lindl.) pseudobiilbis ovatis obtuse aneipitibus 1-2-phyllis, foliis linearibus
acutissimis raeemis bi- vel trifloris spithamasis longioribus, sepalis oblongo-ligulatis acutis,
petalis latioribus obovatis obtusis ; labclli ampli pandurati emarginati bilamclligeri disco
velutino, columnse alis abbreviatis membranaceis.
ODONTOGLOSSUM WLUJENOPSIS, Belli. fil. in Seemann Bonplandia, ii. 278; Pcscatorea, Linden et BcKb.fil. ii. 41.
MILTONIA POLCIIELLA, Horl.
Habitat in N. GRANADA, prope Aspasica, alt. 5-6000 ft., Sc/Uirn.
DESCRIPTION.
Terrestrial. PSEUDOBULBS nearly two inches long, ovate, bearing one, or more frequently two, narrow linear, very acute
LEAVES, less than a foot long, and usually withered at the extremities. RACEME nodding, shorter than the leaves,
furnished with a few small acute BRACTS, and hearing two, or occasionally three, very large and handsome flowers,
which, the marHngs of the lip excepted, are of a uniform white. SEPALS oblong, sharp-pointed, about an inch long.
PETALS broader than the sepals, obtuse. Lip fiddle-shaped, its front portion deeply emarginale, spread out nearly
flat, very broad, its side portions much smaller, rounded, and with two continuous upright lamella: on its velvety disk
the lip has two large irregular pale-crimson blotches on its anterior portion, with concentric lines of the same colour
on its lower portion, with a small patch of yellow on either side the isthmus (i.e. point of junction between the upper
and lower divisions of the lip). COLUMX short, with membranous wings much abbreviated.
This most charming Odontoglossum was discovered in the year 1850 by M. Schlim at that time engaged in exploring
the higher regions of New Granada in the service of M. Linden to whose well-known horticultural establishment at
Brussels he had the honour of introducing it. The species was seen in flower for the first time in the year 1856 when it
appeared at some Horticultural Exhibitions both on the Continent and in London and, as may readily be conceived,
attracted universal admiration. Since that time its lovely blossoms have been rarely produced, owing no doubt to its
cultivation having been imperfectly understood. It has however, I believe, bloomed occasionally in the collection of
the Lord Chancellor of Ireland, and more recently in that of E. M'Morland, Esq., of Haverstock Hill, with whom it
thrives amazingly, and to whose kindness I am iudebted for the opportunity of figuring it. In its native country it is
found in a mild climate growing on the ground, or upon rocks in moist and shady situations, and by simply imitating these
conditions Mr. M'Morland cultivates it with the most perfect success. His plants are kept in pots, with living moss on
the surface, and their base resting in pans of water the evaporation from which cannot fail to be highly beneficial.
The temperature of the house in which they are grown is that of an ordinary greenhouse, but the air is always humid,
and water is freely given because, in consequence of the open potting, it can pass as freely away. The plants seem to
grow and fiower almost all the year round, though their proper and principal flowering-season is in May and June.
0. phalatmpm is entirely distinct from any species of the genus yet in cultivation, but it is allied to a still finer plant
detected by A\rarszewicz in Costa Rica, and called in honour of its discoverer 0. Warssewiczii by Professor Reichenbach.
DISSECTIONS. - I. Lip, seen sideways; and 2. Front view of lip: both magnified.