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TAB. XI.
EPIDENDRUM' STAMFORDTANUM.
Z O R I } S T AMI 'OI i l f S BrrDJSJVJ?J{UM.
EPIDENDROJI Stamfordianum, caulibus incrassalis 2-3 vel 4-pliyllis rncemis raclLcalibiis multiHoris
brevioribus; SGpalis, petalisque duplo angustioribus, lanceolatis iicutis; lubelli trilobi columiuc apice connati
lobis lateralibus obovalis integris, intennedio unguicuJato Iransverso emargiuato lacemto; columnd dcntibiis
duobus brevibus instructd : anthcrA dorsali.
SCSCViiJtiOlK
STEMU rhizomated, A foot high, hearing from two to four obloiuj corkiccotis L^AYES. SI'JKI;S
proceeding from the base of the stems, than which thcij arc considerubUj longer, tennimUcd by a
many-flowered rcrnuons raceme. SEVALS ucal-lunceolale, acntc, two-thirds of an inch long, of a
dtdlgreenish ijellow, with crimson streaks. PETALS linear-lanceolate, not quite half so wide as the
sepals, which theg resemble in colour. LIP three-lobed; the two lateral lobes obovate, rounded,
entire, broader than the sepah, whitish, destitute of spots; the central lobe vnyuiculale, nearly thv
same size as the lateral ones, cmarginate or two-lobed, its anterior edges deeply inrienlcd, yellow in
some varieties, in others of the same hue as the sepals, and with a few crimson spots; the lip, which
has a longitudinal callosity on its disk, is united with the upper extremity of the column. CUI.I'MN
short, furnished at its union with the lip, with two short diverging horns. ANT//EH dorsal, deeply
imbedded in the column, of a reddish purple colour.
HILE detaioed at Tsabal by the cholcni, I qiuctly look a c;moe, and amused myself by a cruise
of a few leagues along the shores of the great lake, in search of our favourite Orchidacea;. I returned
home, dreuched to tlie skin, but happy, nevertheless, in the highest degree, for I had discovered a most
beautiful plant, and one which 1 am perfectly certiiin is new to you all. It is called here ' Quartorones," in
allusion to the four colours which may be seen in its blossoms; and a more beautiful spectacle than they
presented, I never beheld. It himg suspended, as it were, over the margin of the lake, <ind sent forth
perfumes that reminded me of the violet, and reached me at a great distance. For t\venty minutes I stood
gazing at it, before 1 co\ild prevail upon myself to distiu-b it; but I found it in such abiindance, and in
such splendid tlower withal, tliat 1 at length nearly filled my canoe before I could stay my hand, fancying
each specmien finer tlian the one before it. Oh, tliat it were witli you safe 1"
Such is jMr. SKINNER'S account of his discovery of this extraordinary plant. The specimens, for
which he expresses so much solicitude, had a most prosperous voyage, and reached us in safety about the
end of June, 1S37. 'Hiey did not long remain inactive, and early in 1838 the bvo flower-stems made their
appearance iVom which our ligure was prepared. The four colours from which, according to Mr. SKIN.VEK,
it derives its vernacular name, are not very prominent in cultivation; indeed, unless we distinguish tlie
yello\rish wliite of one portion of the liji from tlie purer yellow of tlie other, we do not see how diey are to
be made out. It is, however, probable that there are many varieties of this species, some of which may
have their colours more distinctly marked than others. In cultivation it requires no peculiar treatment,
but is perfecdy satisfied with such as the most robust of its fellows receive.