Pi.Ait XLV. 



EPIDENDRUM VITELLINUM, 



Kpiclciulrmu vitollinum, Lindl.gen. ami $p* of orchidaceous ft/mris^ p. i>7. Botanical 

 Register^ 1840. t 30. 



1 1* 1 1 



This plant has been alrendy figured in the Botanical Register, from u small pallid *pcriif 

 produced in the garden of George Barker. Esq. of Birmingham. Yet 1 venture to add it to re- 

 collection; for who could recognize the gorgeous species on the opposite ]tfige, in tin* ftUrrCliitg 

 just alluded to? 



Kpiihrulruin vitcllinum i* undoubtedly the handsomest of its genus, not yielding to even such 

 a plant n* E. Skiuneri. when it i* in a Mate of perfect health ; n eondition in which I regret to say 

 no one has >een it in this country. Let me hope that the accompanying faithful representation, 

 taken from suecimens gathered by Mr* Hartweg on the Cumbre of Totontcpcque. at 0000 feel 

 nbovc the level of the sea. and in which nothing i* in the smallest degree exaggerated, will rouse 

 the possessors of it to exertion, and induce them to give it the care its singular merits entitle it to. 



In what is known of it* habits in its native country we possess the key to its proper management, 

 and the explanation of any failure that has accompanied its cultivation up to the present time. It 

 Is, strictly speaking, an alpine plant : roofing among Lichens, Jungerrnaunias, and other inhabitants 

 of a cool moi*t climate ; and never exposed on the one hand tu a higher temperature tlian 75*, nor 

 on the other to one lower than 4-1*, but undoubtedly, in its season of rest, enduring as small an amount 

 of heat as that. Indeed the circumstance, mentioned bv Humboldt, thai at the elevation of IMMli 

 feel on the mountains of Mexico, there arc found Dog Hoses ami Strawberries, mixed with Peppervrorte 

 (IVperomia) and the Manila (Chciroxlcinon platanoides), indicates with some accuracy the kind 

 of climate enjoyed by Epidendrum vitcllinum, 



