Tas. 6171. 
MASDEVALLIA EstRAD®. 
Native of New Grenada. 
Nat. Ord. Orcuipex.—Tribe PLEUROTHALLIDE®. 
Genus Maspevatia, Ruiz § Pav. ; (Lindl. Gen. 5 Sp. Orchid., p. 192). 
MasprvaiLia Estrad@ ; caulibus fasciculatis, foliis 3-pollicaribus elliptico- 
oblongis v. spathulatis obtusis v. apice 2-dentatis in petiolum angus- 
tatis coriaceis vix carinatis, scapis gracilibus lente curvis foliis paulo 
longioribus supra medium et basin versus bracteatis, floribus adscen- 
dentibus, ovario brevi angulato et suleato, sepalis in tubum brevem 
latum campanulatum connatis in candas filiformes flavas florem exce- 
dentibus abrupte angustatis, supremo scaphiformi oblongo concavo. 
basi luteo supra medium purpureo, lateralibus oblongis planiusculis 
marginibus recurvis, petalis parvis dimidiato-oblongis apice obtuso. 
dentato basi antice in auriculam productis, labello oblongo truncato 
callo purpureo recurvo apiculato, columna exalata apice 3-loba. 
M, Estrade, Reich. f. in Gard. Chron., 1874, p. 485. 
Though neither so rich in colour nor grotesque in form as 
the species of Masdevallia lately figured in this work, the 
present species promises to be a favourite with cultivators 
from its dense habit of growth, abundant flowering, and the 
delicate tints of the flowers. It is a native of New Grenada, 
and was, according to Dr. Reichenbach’s statement in the 
Gardeners’ Chronicle, first observed in the garden of a New 
Grenada lady, Dofia Estrada, a skilful grower of Orchids. 
It was subsequently found by Mr. Patin, collector for Mr. 
Williams, of the Victoria and’ Paradise Nurseries, through 
whom it was thus first introduced into this country. —_. 
For the specimen here figured I am indebted to H. E. 
Cauty, Esq., of Liverpool, who sent in April last a plant 
with fifty-five leaves and fourteen flowers. aes 
Duscr. Stems densely tufted, forming a cushion-like mass 
of leaves. Leaves with the petioles three inches long, elliptic 
or cuneate-spathulate, obtuse or bifid at the tip, coriaceous, 
gradually narrowed into the petiole, obscurely keeled, deep 
green above, pale beneath. Scapes rather longer than the 
leaves, erect, slender, slightly curved, with one sheathing 
JUNE Ist, 1875. 
