Pl.ATK VII. 



CYRTOCHILUM STELLATUM. 



C. stellatum; [wtnulobulbis fliphyllis ovalibua comprcttis strintis inter Bquamas 

 lanceolate* cnrinotM axillaribus, fuliis liguktig obtain aveniis acopo mall6 

 brcvioribuH, scnpo tcreli erccto basi vaginato, raccmo disticho multifloro, bractoi* 

 carinnlis con volutin acuminata gluroacci* ovario loogioribtUj eepalia petalisque 

 lineori-obovatis acutis fitcllatU, labcllo oblongo undulato acuto \m\ canaliculate 

 striato, nlis columns ueiimcifonnibus intcgcrriiiii*. 



Epidendrc £loil£c. Detcouriitz drawings, plate ZT*p. 81. 



TJii* noble species of llie genu* Cyrtochilum is nearly related to C. flavescens of the Botanical 

 Register, /. 1627, differing in its much larger flower*, the sepals of which arc by no means 

 acuminated* but only drawn to n sharp point; in the greater breadth of the pseudodmlbs; in its 

 stature being four time* a* great ; and in the lahellum being white instead of yellow. The following 

 is the account given of the plant by M. Dcscourtilz in his manuscript work on the Orehitbicea» of 

 Brazil. 



'This magnificent Species i* dispersed through the district* Of Macahe and Bananal. Ji 

 flowers in Septcraber and remains in that Mate till tho end of January- It diffuse* but a weak 

 perfume, bm the beautiful Spike*, which scon at a distance make it resemble a mass, of verdure 

 strewed with large stars* render it a most remarkable object/* 



" Kiiizoma very thick, cylindrical, whitish, shining ; provided at its lower part with numerous 

 cylindrical succulent roots, which fix themselves upon the bark of the tallest trees, over which it 

 spreads to the extent of many feel. Psixijo-bulbs oval, slightly compressed, bright CrMn. sur* 

 rounded at the base with violet scales, each giving rise to two ribbon-shaped leaves, which an* 

 obtuse, channelled, compressed at their insertion, of n pure and brilliant green above, yellowish 

 green below, moderately thick and not veiny. From among the dilated leaves proceeds n bOapjs, 

 often many feet long, cylindrical, shining, whitish violet, jointed and famished at each taut! with a 

 narrow very long sharp-pointed bract, which is acute, hollowed out. violet and transparent. Flowers 

 very large, spreading open, spiked, in two opposite rows, placed upon dull green sigmoid ovaries, 

 proceeding from the axil of the bracts, which spread from the spike and almost entirely enclose them. 

 Sepals three, ipatliulate, veiy acute, with a middle longitudinal furrow, straw or lemon-coloured. 

 Petals of the same colour, broader and rather obtuse. Lip broad, toiigue-slinpcd, pointed, winged 

 at the base* crisp al the edge, articulated with the column, snow white, but marked internally at 

 the base willi longitudinal streaks of a yellowish orange colour. Column straight, short, of an ivory 

 whiteness, winged on each side »t the apex ; the outer edge of Uie wings curved, the inner bounded 

 by a deep carmine line, otherwise bright yellow, streaked with transverse Mood -coloured lines, 

 A nth En convex, n bite. Pom. ex-masses oval, pale yellow, attached to an oblong carmine 

 gland." 



The genus Cyrtocbilimi was originally proposed by SI. Kontli in Humboldt and Bonplund's 

 Nova Oeueni el Specie* Plantarum as distinguished from Oncidium by its convex lip, in allusion to 

 which the name was formed. This character is however by no means aufh'cicnt to limit nny groupc 

 of species of which I have knowledge, and consequently, in admitting Cyrtochilum into the 

 systematic arrangement of the order, I have found it necessary to alter its definition, and to allow it 



