large as nearly to conceal the sepals a towa rds t h e c ent r e with yellow, and is : n d petals, which, like
itself, are Avhite.
The roots of 0. Icucochilum are produced in great abundance, and are of a very line \viry texture.
As an example of a directly opjiosite character, we may ijistance O. CatemUshiaìium (Tab. 111., of tliis
\ \ ' o r k ) of wliich the roots are few, but the thickest in the genus. The pseudo-bulbs of O. leucochilum
press closely upon one another, so tiiat the roots get cramped and entangled amongst them in hopeless
conlusion, and to such an extent as alniost to bury the poor tubers alive. Wlien, on the arrival of
a collection of OrchidacceB from abroad, a case of this description is observed, strong measures must
be immediately resorted to ; for altliough tlie love of fine specimens jnay plead against the dismembeniient
of so large a mass of bulbs so "full of lu.sty life," still it is next to impossible to cultivate the species
with any success till it has been freed from this incubus of rubbish and roots. The latter have usually
lost their vitality on their arrival ; and if not, they soon become rotten when subjected to a moist heat ; they
are, therefore, apt to occasion the decay of the pseudo-bulbs, and at the same time are incapable of
contributing in any way to their support. They are therefore to be removed earelully and speedily, which
is not to be effected mthout breaking up the masses into pieces, each containing or 4 pseudo-bulbs;
and if among these ;uiy decayed ones be obsen-ed, they must at once be cut away. Besides the danger to
be apprehended from decomposition, these collections of roots afford a secure retreat to a species of
"Cockroach," of which we shall hereafter speak, and than which, Orchidacca have no greater foe.
O. leucochilum appears to be not uncommon M Guatemala, where it was found by MR. SKINNER,
and sent to us in 1835; and in the autumji of the following year was produced the specimen from which
our figure is taken.
T h e Vignette is a representation of Istapa, from a spirited sketch by MR. SKINNER, made wlijle
out at sea in 1S34.
- Ai^ds, gkot or the Wmutd Star I
i«uor iiuidv.! to the mndj luirurl'.],
rem iiù ilirune of cloudi o'er baif c)ie v