^H 



PI.ATE XVII. 



m 



ONCIDrUM MACRANTHl/AI. 



A magnificent stove cpiphvt^ with ovate, furrowed, ami transversely wrinkled pMudobolbs, which produce from 

 their apex a pair of oblong pointed leave*. The scape Issues from the root, am! is extended into a long 

 climbing pauicle. several foot in length, and rather sparsely furnished with large show} flower throe to four 

 inches acrtt*, of an olive-tinted yellow colour. The sepals are eordativoblong, obtuse, undulated, anil clawed, 

 olive-yellow in some plants, clear yellow in others, the dorsal one marked at the base with a few purple dashes; 

 the petal* are of similar rise and shape, dear yellow; and (lie lip is small, hastate, pnqde. yellowish M»ind* 

 the tip, and furnished in ihe centre with a great white crest, confuting of a central keel ami two reversed teeth 

 on either side : (he wings of the column are rounded. 



i to romi hacbasiiium, Lindttg* Genera and Specie* of OnMdaam Plant* 206 ; Jit, Ftetwt* Flower Garden ii 

 126 ; W, Folia Orchidacea^ art* Oucidimn 4. ftfotoitoft jft, Walpai Annate Jktantm Systematic*, n- 702. 



We have here a most remarkable Orchid, whether wc regard ihc size and striking character of iis 

 unusually regular and leathery (lowers, the long seandent panicle, or ihc peculiar and, as it would seem, 

 variable colour. It would indeed appear that the colours vary to a very* remarkable extent, since while Dr. 

 Linrlley describes (from dried specimens no doubt, and therefore perhaps not quite accurately) the sepal* as 

 purple- brown and the petals yellow, the plant represented in our Plate had the whole flower except the lip 

 vcllow, the sepals being dashed over by nn olive tint difficult of imitation, and others which have subse- 

 quently bloomed at Farnham Castle, have the sepals, like the petals, of a clear yellow. The symmctiy of 

 form given to the (lowers of this plant, by the equality of size and regularity of position of the sepals and 

 petals, is a very unusual feature in the Orchid family, wherein grotesque irregularity i& all but universal. 



This Enc and massive-flowered species — one of the most beautiful of the genus— was firat flowered in 

 this eountrr by Lord Londcsborough, from whose valuable collection ot Grimston Park, near Tadeaster in 

 Yorkshire, it fine plant was exhibited last year at one of the Tuesday meetings of the Royal Horticultural 

 Society. This plant most deservedly obtained a first-class award; and we may here incidentally remark, 

 that the lovers of new plant* are greatly indebted to the Society for the opportunity which these meetings 

 afford for the display of noveltwa ; indeed were it not for them, many choice plants would bloom in obscurity, 

 and would die oil' without being seen by the public. 



This grand plant will prove to be a welcome addition to our orchid-housw, as well us to our exhibition 

 tables, for its flowers arc totally distinct from those of any other of its class. It w of free-blooming habit, 

 and it comes from a cool climate— both these being strong recommendations, which will make it sought 

 alter by cultivators generally. At present it is scarce, but we anticipate a better supply, so that those who 

 really dwiro to do so, may no doubt soon posses it There are several varieties amongst the plank which 

 have bloomed in England, varieties differing in the colour and in the size of their Bowers, as occurs with 

 most other Orchids owing lo their being produced from seed in their wild state- In some COM indeed, the 

 varieties produced arc almost endless ; and this adds greatly to the interest which attaches to the blooming 

 of imported Orchids, amongst which something novel may always be expected. There are several Onddium 

 like the present in respect to growth, ami it is therefore difficult to distinguish it until it blooms* 



Oncidium maeranthum produces ovate furrowed pscudobullw, about three inches in height* and its light 



SECOND SB&IJ& 



