PLATE VIII. 
ODONTOGLOSSUM GRANDE, Lindley. 
GREAT ODONTOGLOSSUM. 
O. (XANTHOGLOSSUM) pseudobulbis ovatis compressis diphyllis, foliis coriaceis oblongo- 
ensiformibus seapo simplici brevioribus, sepalis lanceolatis lateralibus convexis falcatis 
petalisque oblongis obtusiuseulis latioribus subundulatis, labello subrotundo basi auriculato 
sepalis plus duplo breviore, disci eristû apice truncatá bituberculatá utrinque in medio 
dente calloque auctá, columnæ tomentosæ auriculis rotundatis convexis incurvis. 
ODONTOGLOSSUM GRANDE, Lindl. in Bot. Reg. 1840, Misc. 94; Bateman, Orchid. Mex. t. 21; Morren. Ann. Gand. i. t. 37. 
Habitat in GUATEMALA, Skinner, Hartweg. 
DESCRIPTION. 
了 SEUDOBUIBS compressed, broadly ovate, 2 or 3 inches long, bearing I or more frequently 2 leathery, oblong-ensiform 
Leaves, which, as well as the pseudobulbs, have always more or less of a pale-glaucous hue. Scavn twice the length 
of the leaves, 4-8-flowered. Braors sheathing, acute, half the length of the ovary. Frowers very large, in some 
varieties Y inches or more from the tip of expanded petals. Sweats lanceolate, the lateral ones convex and falcate. 
Perars wider than the sepals, and, like them, of a rich yellow colour, marked with large deep-cinnamon bands and 
blotches, oblong, somewhat obtuse at their extremities, and slightly waved at the margin. ae not half the length of 
the sepals, nearly round, whitish, with a few crimson stains near the crest, which is of rich orange-yellow, marked with 
deep-orange spots, and is seated on the disk of the lip ; it consists of 2 large truncate processes in front, with 2 or 4 
small teeth at its base ; its auricles turn their edges down until they meet under the disk of the lip, and there grow 
together. COLUMN downy, with a rounded, incurved, convex auricle on either side. 
Mr. Skinner was the fortunate discoverer of this noble Odontoglossum which to this day remains unsurpassed, even 
among all the fine additions that have of late years been made to the genus. Mr. Skinner found it in a “barranca ” (or 
dark ravine) in the environs of the city of Guatemala, and so closely had it lain concealed that even his quick eye failed 
to detect it until long after he had, as he thought, exhausted the district of all its finest Orchids. It was afterwards met 
with in other localities, but invariably in a climate of which the ordinary range of temperature lay between 60° and 70°, 
and in situations where it was secure of abundant moisture and constant shade. In these peculiarities of its natural 
habitat the conditions of its successful cultivation are clearly pointed out; yet, strange to say, they were unheeded for 
twenty years, during which the plants in our Orchid-houses were always in a feeble and sickly state, rarely producing more 
than two or three flowers on a scape, while the imported specimens showed that at least double that number was the 
proper quota. Now, however, the case is different, for with a mild temperature and moderate shade they are found to be 
managed with the most perfect ease and to grow with a vigour that could never have been exceeded in their native wilds. 
In proof of this we need only turn to the vignette, which is copied from a beautiful photograph kindly sent to me by 
Joshua Saunders, Esq., and which represents a specimen of O. grande as it appeared when flowering in his collection 
at Clifton. As a further evidence of the ease with which the plant may be grown I may mention that under the care of 
Major Trevor Clarke it has been induced to bloom in the open air during the summer months. This, however, must only 
be looked upon as an interesting experiment and is not recommended for imitation. 
O. grande usually flowers in J uly or August, when the season’s growth is nearly completed ; after this it should 
