PLATE IX. 
ODONTOGLOSSUM NÆVIUM, Lindley. 
SPECKLED ODONTOGLOSSUM. 
O. (EUoponroGLossuM) pseudobulbis ovatis compressis, foliis tenuibus lanceolatis basi angustatis 
scapo racemoso vel subpaniculato multifloro nutante subæqualibus vel longioribus, sepalis 
petalisque angustis ovato-lanceolatis acuminatis undulatis, labello subeonformi pubescente 
vix hastato, cristae dentibus 2 grossis bi- vel subtrilobis pubescentibus, columnæ cirrhis 
subulatis patulis. 
ODONTOGLOSSUM NÆVIUM, Lindley in Paxtons Flower Garden, i. t. 18; Flore des Serres, vi. 594; Pescatorea, t. 13; Warners Select 
Orchidaceous Plants, t. 7; Reichenbach fil. in Bonplandia, ii. 278. 
Habitat in VENEZUELA, Funck and Schlim (721), in the province of Truxillo, near S. Lazaro and La Peña, 6000 feet; New 
GRANADA, in the province of Pamplona, flowering in August, 8000 feet, Linden (146). 
DESCRIPTION. 
PsBUDOBULBS ovate, compressed, somewhat bluntly ribbed, bearing 1 or 2 narrow-oblong LEAVES, tapering at the base, 
about equal in length to or more frequently shorter than the many-flowered flower-scape. FLOWERS arranged on a 
nodding raceme (occasionally a panicle is formed), pure white, speckled everywhere with rich crimson or brown. 
Bracıs very short, scale-like. SEPALS and Perars ovate, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, spreading equally, much 
waved, from l to (in some varieties) 2 or 2% inches long. Lie shorter than the petals, but nearly of the same 
Jorm and colour, except that there is a yellow crest with a large crimson blotch in its front ; at its base the edges of 
the claw clasp the column. "Text of the crest yellow, small, distinct, with 2 or 3 unequal blunt lobes to each, 
downy. COLUMN downy, narrowed to the base, with a pair of awl-shaped ears near the summit, below the anther-bed. 
This brilliant Odontoglossum was first discovered by the late Sir Robert Schomburgk, and having been shipped 
with his other collections from Demerara, has long been supposed to be a native of the latter colony. I am, however, 
satisfied that, beyond the circumstance alluded to, there is not the slightest reason for regarding it as a Demerara 
plant, for no other collector has ever found it there, nor would its constitution endure so hot a climate. As Sir 
Robert, in his memorable expedition into the interior of Guiana (1835-37), reached an elevation of 7000 feet, on 
the fourth parallel of latitude, and among the southern affluents of the Orinoco, I have little doubt that it was in 
this region that he discovered O. nevium, along with Mawillaria eburnea, Diothonea imbricata, and other treasures that 
have never yet found their way to us in a living state.* 
O. nevium and its varieties appear to be extensively distributed, having been met with in many localities, both 
in Venezuela and New Granada, always, however, at a very considerable elevation, and hence the necessity of cool 
* I copy Sir Roberts description of the locality in which these plants were found, in the hope that some collector may be induced to visit so 
interesting a region :--“ The Diothonea was met with on the high mountain-chain between the sixty-fifth and sixty-sixth meridian and the fourth 
parallel of latitude, at an elevation of 6-7000 feet above the sea-level. The summits of those elevations are thickly covered with two species of Lichen, 
the white colour of which conveys the supposition that the ground is covered with snow. The thermometer stood frequently in the morning at 57° F., 
which, connected with the snow-white Lichens, powerfully reminded us of a winter landscape. Indeed, the stunted trees, with grey tortuous branches, 
would have assisted to make the picture complete, if numerous Orchidacee, conjointly with green Mosses, had not clothed them. Indeed, it was the 
Orchidacee alone that gave the vegetation a tropical aspect. . . . We discovered the Mazillaria near Mount Maravaca."— Lindl. Sert. Orch, sub t. xl. 
