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tlie air. But, leaving to the fanciful tliese fancied resemblances, we must draw the attention of our more
soher readers 'to three peculiarities which will at once distinguish 0 . ornithorhynchum from all the other
species of its extensive genus.
The first of these is its colour, which is wholly without precedent amongst Oncidiums; its pendent
Hower-stems next attract our notice, which are admirably fitted for showing ofl' its elegant blossoms to advantage
; and lastly, it diffuses a most delightful perfume, which is not unlike that of fresh hay. These, its
peculiarities, are also its charms; and when to them we add that it is a free f^owerer, and easily managed, we
shall, we think, have said enough to make every collector of Orchidaceiu wish to have O. ornithorhynchum
in his stove. In a wild state, it flowers in February: but, in this country, it will probably, when fully established,
flower in the latter part of summer. Being found at a considerable elevation, a great heat is not
reynhrd for its cultivation; although, such is it^ uceonnnodating disposition, that it seems perfectly at
home in the hottest part of Messrs. LODDIOES" Orchidaceous House. It seems to be partial to potsherds,
into wliich. if mixed ^vith small picces of turfy peat, it ^^^ll soon thrust its long wiry roots. In
HUMBOLDT'S work, the fiowers of this species are represented as of a yellow colour ; but tliis is,
doubtless, owing to the ligure having been taken from dried specimens. This is rendered the more
probable, as in the letter-press by which his plate is accompanied, no mention whatever is made of the
colour of the flowers.
For tlie Vignette, we have to thank Mr. GEORGE ACKEBM.VNN, for whose Uberality in placing at
our dis]3osal the whole of his beautiful collection of unpublished Mexican sketches, we have already,
in another place, expressed our acknowledgments. Mr. ACKERMASX'S sketch was taken in the Village
of Temascaltepeque, thirty leagues from the capital of Mexico, where, in a neighbourhood celebrated
for the ricliness of its vegetation, is to be seen the ruinous old ecclesiastical building, represented
below, in which, however, mass is still occasionally perfonned.
Qua priui mulu'iin fiicilii raovclint
Omlinc.
UOKICE.