Botanical Cabinet; but upon comparing the accompanying 
plate with those of Dr. Hooker and Mr. Loddiges, I find 
enough to induce me not to suppress the drawing that was 
made for this work. 
Stanhopea insignis was originally found by Messrs. Hum- 
boldt and Bonpland on the trunks of old trees in shady woods 
near Cuenca in Quito; it has since been procured abundantly 
from various districts of the north-eastern part of South 
America. There it fixes its pseudo-bulbs upon branches, 
clinging to them with its numerous creeping roots, and sus- 
pending in the air its stout zig-zag spikes of fleshy wax-like 
flowers. The species grows freely in a mixture of coarse 
peat, sand, and broken tiles or potsherds, provided it is 
kept constantly growing; but it does not like to be periodi- 
cally dried up as many others do. In order to see its curious 
blossoms in perfection the young spikes should be watched 
for, and as soon as they appear they should be artificially led 
over the edge of the pot or basket; otherwise their tendency to 
turn downwards is so greatthat theyare apt to forcethemselves 
into the earth and so to become smothered. 
In the annexed plate, the dissections are taken from a speci- 
men, for which I am obliged to Lord Fitzwilliam, with much 
richer colours than usual; fig. 1. represents a lip seen from the 
upper side, and 2. the same part viewed from beneath; these 
figures show the cup-shaped base of this organ, the spotted 
tongue that terminates it, and the two long fleshy horns that 
project on each side of it.—Who shall imagine the use that 
such curious parts are intended for? 3. and 4. are the hardly 
less curious pollen-apparatus. 
A A 
