Platk XXX IV. 



LyELIA ANCEPS DAWSONI, 



A charming store epiphyte rrmnrkrd>h\ m a variety, for it* white flowers with a very richly-marked lip. It has 

 oblong-orate psoudobulba, like those of X: anceps* but somewhat more cylindrical in outline* The leuvc* are 

 dark green, ligiilatedAoWolato, coriaceous, resembling thc>se of /t ani^w* The flower stem in from two to 

 throe feci loiif;* nml bears two three or men* large ihowy Bower*, rr*emblin^ in form tho$c of (he 1 type. 

 The lanceolate sepals and broad ovate petal* ure white, a* also arc the lateral lobes which envelope the column. 

 The lip on the inner surface of the ride lobes b yellowish, marked with rich crimen lines radiating from the 

 disk, and has thctmiul yellow callus on the dUk, the front portion being undulated aud recurved, purple towards 

 the extremity, but with a distinct margin of white* 



Lbma axcfps Dawsoni, Andman f G&rdtxtri Chwnicl** 1SGS. 27 ; IMchenbnchjil, Gardener*' Ckrmktc, 1ST3, 253. 



This Laltc t which is one of the most beautiful introductions of modem times, bloomed for the first 

 time in Europe in the magnificent collection of the late Thomas Dawson, Esq., of Meadow l?nnk f near 

 Glasgow, to whom it was thereupon dedicated, and whose memory, as u most enthusiastic and munificent 

 urcludophilist, the publication of this figure may help lo perpetuate. The pluut is a native of Mexico, and 

 was found in 1865 by Mr. Low's collectors near In(|uilo, at a high elevation, about 150 miles from Oajaca, 

 in a barranca sheltered on all sides by mountains, on rocks by Hie side of a running stream, a locality 

 which was remarkable for iU extremes of temperature, being very warm during the day, and very cold at 

 night. Very few plants of it were discovered. 



The specimen from which our illustration is taken, bloomed in our own collection at Broomfichl, and was 

 much admired by all who taw it The variety differs in no respect from the normal state of the species, 

 saving in the colour of its flowers, and these, it will be seen at a glance, arc totally distinct. Like iU 

 prototype, the plant blooms during the didl months of December, January, and February. and is on this 

 account invaluable to those who love chaste winter flowers. The blossoms last some three or four weeks in 

 full beauty, if they are not sprinkled with water from the syringe ; on the other hand, we do not advise 

 that orchids when in flower should be kept in loo dry an atmosphere, because they arc apt to shrivel up, 

 while the moisture which falls upon the flowers through condensation does not injure, but appeals rather 



to benefit them, 



The flowers arc produced several together on long stems, and are thick and waxy in texture. The 

 sepals and petals arc pure white. The lip is white exteriorly, but within the white ground is streaked with 

 radiating lines of purple, the centre or disk being ornamented with ridges (oalli) of bright yellow, while 

 toward- the front it is stained with rich purple, <* *dl as margined with white. 



