ODONTOGLOSSUM N/EVIUM, Undiey.
S P E C K L E D O D O N T O G L O S S U M.
O. (EUODONTOGLOSSUM) pseudobulbis ovatis compressis, foliis tenuibus lauceolatis basi angustatis
scapo racemoso vel subpaniculato multifloro nutantc subfequalibus vol longioribus, sepalis
petabsque angustis ovato-lanceolatis acumiuatis undulatis, labello subconformi pubescente
vix bastato, cristfe dentibus 2 grossis bi- vel subtrilobis pubesccntibus, columnre cirrhis
subulatis patulis.
ODOSTOGLOSSCM Mivicu, Lindley in Paxton's Flower Garden, i. I. 18; Flore dcs Serres, vi. 591; Pescatorea, f. 13; Warners Select
Orchidaceous Plants, t. 7; liachenbachfil. in Bonplandia, ii. 278.
Habitat in VJJNEZOELA, Funck and Schlim (721), in the province of Txuxillo, near S. I-azaro and I .a Peiia, 6000 fret; NEW
GIIANADA, in the province of Pamplona, flowering in August, 8000 feet. Linden (146).
DESCRIPTION.
PSECDOBULBS ocate, 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 Jlower-scape. FLOWERS arranged on a
nodding raceme (occasionally a panicle is formed), pure while, speckled everywhere tcith rich crimson or brown.
BHACTS very short, scale-like. SEPALS and PETALS ovate, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, spreading equally, much
waved, from LI to (in some varieties) 2 or 2i 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 Us base the edges of
the claw clasp the column. TEETU of the crest yellow, small, distinct, with 2 or 3 unequal blunt lobes to each,
downy. COLTJMX 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 Sehomburgk, 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 0. nteoium, along with Ma-villaria eburnea, Diothonea imbricata, and other treasures that
have never yet found their way to us in a living state.*
O. tiavium 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
* 1 copy Sir Robert's description of the locality iu which these plants ncrc found, in the hope that some collector may he iaduced to visit so