E^Ba^Efl 



Plate XVIII. 



SACCOLABIUM (GUTTATIJM) HOLFORIMANUM. 



A i.'ii»rk«bly handsome stove epiphyte, with distichous leathery, channcUed, arching leaves, obliquely retusB «l 

 the apex, md having long pendulous dense cylindrical racemes of pr.-iiily-sp.»Kcd white flowers. The sepaU 

 an; ovate, tin- petals oblong, both white, spotted with bright purple-row; and the lip U oblong, emarginate, of 

 11 rich bright purple. 



SaCCi'I-ahum HowordiaKOM. of gardm*. 



The subject of our present illustration may he regarded as the finest of all known forms of Saeeotthhrn 

 gultatm, a plant which, as well as S. Bhmd, is referred by Professor Rcichcnbnch to the genu, RkyiuAo- 

 itftu of Bliune. This learned orehidologist regards & guttalim and S. JUumri as the varieties of » species, 

 which he calls Ithgnchottglis retuta, the extreme forms of which he considers to be connected by numerous 

 link? through the copious varieties which are known. They are all remarkably ornamental plants. Indeed, 

 the SaccoUibtum rank amongst the most beautiful of Orchids, and arc everywhere prized by cultivator*. 



The magnificent specimen of S. Holfordiamm, which wc have here represented, and which gives an 

 excellent idea of the general character of the plant, was taken from a fine plant in our own collection. 

 This particular form is rare as well as beautiful. The merit of its introduction is due to K. S- Holford, 

 Esq., of Western llirt, Gloucestershire, in whose collection we saw it many years ago, blooming magnifi- 

 cently. Wc then pronounced it to be the finest Saccolahium we had seen, and it has kepi this high position 

 ever since, being up to the present time unapproached by any other form in respect to its magnificent 

 spikes, and the rich colour of it* (lowers— a colour which is indeed unapproachable by art. The foliage 

 moreover is remarkably distinct, on account of its breadth, and altogether it forni3 a most noble plant. 

 We have Been it with fourteen glorious spikes, when it was the admiration of every one. We have said 

 that the plant itself is rare, and we may add that fine specimens are exceedingly scarce. Many plants have 

 been exhibited and sold for S. IFol/urdiaimm, which have not been true, though in many cases tin y have 

 proved to l« fine varieties of S. guUatnm, to which type indeed S. IMfordianum belongs. Tlic true plant 

 may :tt once be recognized by the breadth and by the blunt ends of its foliage. 



This Saccolahmii makes one of the finest of all plants for exhibition, ;.s well as for the decoration of 

 the orchid-house. And here wc may remark that one cannot but regret the absence from our great Loudon 

 exhibitions of remarkably fine plants, such as were seen exhibited at the time of the Chiswick shows. There 

 SaccolafnuM were frequently seen with from five to ten spikes of blossoms, or even more, on the same plant, 

 and those who were in the habit of visiting these Gardens at the time referred to often speak with regret of the 

 absence of such remarkable specimens from the exhibitions of the present day. In fact, while most other 

 exhibition plants have gone on increasing in size. Orchids have certainly become ll 



Saeeolahlum Ihlfordumum is a strong-grown compact epiphyte, of evergtCCn hnbii. producing broad 

 dark green leaves of from twelve to eighteen inches in length, and very blunt at the apices. The spikes 

 are often as much as eighteen inches iu length, the (lowers being rich and showy in colour— white, spotted 

 wit h deep rose. It blooms during May and June, and if kept from damp and at the coolest end of the 

 house, will last for at least four weeks in perfection. 

 OSD SERIES. 



