

■ 



1*1, AT K X\\ 1. 



ONcrniu.M ciuspum. 



A remarkably showy slow epiphyte, bavins oblong furrowed nigo*.- psoudobuibs, bearing ■■' Iho Bumroil n ]>:.ir of 

 lanceolate, leathery, unit.', green leaves, sometimes marked with purple at the base. Tin- Howi-m* -ape proceeds 

 from the bow of the bulbs, and if rimple orocnwioimlly l.mmhed. elongated, bearing » *prendinjr, raceme or 

 panicle of large handsome flower*, which are aboui three inchee nerevs, and are sometimes borne as many w fifty 

 ..r >Wlv on one scape. The SCpoU are oblong, obtuse, navy, the lateral ones half united ; the petals are broader 

 and much crisped, blunt, ungutculate, and as well as Iho sepals of a rich brown, becesnlng yellow tnuisvorscly 

 barred with brown ai the claw. Tho lip is very large, three-lobed, the lateral lobca short and recurred, the 

 central one large, roundish-cordate, and very much crisped like the petals ihe from portion red-brown like the 

 other pans of the flower, with a lighter or dull orange patch of Innate form near the unguis, winch is yellow, 

 more or le«S apoUcd with red ; the crest is deltoid. Uim-loWd. ovate acuminate. bearing a double row of teeth ; 

 the column is yellow, with rounded, toothed fleshy wings, 



Oscimnw CWSTOJI, /W%«. Botanical Caovut^ t 185*; LMley, Gtwera W fyttit* of Orckiitamn BmH, 197; tf. 

 Botanical Bfyitter, t. 1920; 1,1. FiJla Ontidacca, art. Onridium, 20; Hooker, Botanical Marine, t. 3499; 

 i/mnf, Botanht, t- 26 : Btieteniact/l, Walperi Janata Botanioa Syittaiatit*. vi, 729. 



was 



origin. 



This strikingly handsome- Orchid was introduced in 1832 by the Messrs. Loddiges, of Hackney, and 

 beautifully figured by them in the Botanical Cabinet on its first producing flower.. It is of Brazilian 

 .n, and is a native of the Organ Mountains, where it was found growing upon the trunk, of dead trees. 

 Amongst the Oneida it ii remarkably distinct, both as regards its habit of growth and the colour of its 

 Bowers. The prevalent Into in the blossoms of this very extensive genus is yellow of Tarioue shades, and 

 more or less mottled with red or brown. This prevailing yellow colour, together with the robust growth and 

 free-blooming habit of the majority of the species, renders them exceedingly desirable plants for general 

 cultivation, as they serve to light up the groups of which they font, part, and contrast finely with other 

 kind, possessing less brilliant and decided coloured flowers. The plant which forms our present subject is, 

 however, an exception to the general rule in respect to colour, and though yellow is not entirely wanting in 

 its blossoms, it is but very .lightly developed. The form we figure is a very richly-coloured one, not at all 



commonly met with in collections. 



A few years since the number of individuals of this species in cultivation was very limited. This * as 

 owing to Uio fact that but small importations of it had been received in this country, and, its proper treatment 

 not being then understood, many of the originally imported plants soon dwindled away. Now, however, cul- 

 tivators have applied themselves to overcome this difficulty, and. having studied its peculiar wants and 

 requirements, are enabled to grow it successfully, and to bloom it regularly with the greatest ease. More- 

 over, plant collectors in Brazil have latterly sent over large quantities in excellent order, so that nil Orchid 

 lover- will now be enabled to possess themselves of so charming a plant. 



Oncidmrn m$pnm may be described as a brilliant aud beautiful pseudobulbous stove epiphyte. The 

 nscudobulbs are about four inches in length, and aro usually of an oblong shape, stout, furrowed, and of a 

 dark bronzy-green colour. The leaves, which are two or three in number, attain the height of twelve or 

 eighteen inches, and are lanceolnte-ligulate in shape ; they partake somewhat, though in a less degree, of the 





SECOND SKRlfcs. 



