Whether this is the original species upon which the 
genus was founded by the authors of the Flora Peruviana, 
we dare not decide. There can be no doubt, however, 
that it is the same as the R. secunda of M. Kunth, and as 
that excellent Botanist considers his plant distinct from 
that of the Flora, Peruviana, we have no hesitation in fol- 
lowing him. It was found by Messrs. Humboldt and 
Bonpland in cool temperate places, in the neighbourhood 
of Carthagena, growing upon trunks of Crescentia Cujete, 
and flowering in October. It produces its beautiful spikes 
at the same time of the year in our stoves in great profii- 
sion. The labcHmu seems to be subject to some diversity 
:olf(Hrtxi and Colouring in diiferent individuals, but the dif- 
*ferences are too inconstant to characterise even varieties. 
The spikes are usually nodding, as is elegantly represented 
in Dr. Hooker's Exotic Flora. Occasionally they are erect, 
;as in the plant now figured, and as in that examined by 
M. Kunth. 
• 
The genus Gomeza of Mr. Brown is nearly allied to 
Rodriguezia, from which it is chiefly distinguished by its 
prominent stigma, by its 3-lobed labellum, and by the 
absence of any elongation from the base of the same part. 
The value of the latter character is, however, diminished 
bv the consideration, that the slight elongation of the base 
Oi the labellum in Rodriguezia cannot properly be con- 
sidered a spur, because it is solid, without any correspond- 
ing excavation between the labellum and columna. 
The only other published genus with which it is neces- 
sary to compare Rodriguezia is Pleurothallis, which is 
.essentially distinguished by the absence of an elastic filum 
bearing the pollen masses, by its axillary inflorescence, 
and by its solitary, or nearly solitary leaves, which neither 
w^hes^th at the base, nor are seated on a bulbous base. It 
is necessary, however, to explain, that we consider the 
singular plant represented at fol. 759 of this work under 
the name of Pleurothallis punctata, and about the same 
.time by Messrs. Loddiges, in their Botanical Cabinet, as a 
.species of Gomeza (G. tenuiflora), to be essentially distinct 
from both those genera, from which it differs in several 
^Important particulars. Not to mention its radical inflo- 
fesce|^€|^^^|dch is a charactej of sotne value in distinguish- 
