Tas. 6208. 
MASDEVALLIA EPHIPPIUM. 
Native of New Grenada. 
Nat. Ord. Orncuipea,—Tribe PLEUROTHALLIDES, 
Genus MASDEVALLIA, Ruiz et Pav, (Lindl., Gen. et Sp. Orchid., p. 192). 
MASDEVALLIA Ephippium; foliis cum petiolo 5-7 pollicaribus, lamina anguste 
elliptico-oblonga obtusa apice recurvo in petiolum validum breviorem 
angustata, medio superne canaliculato et subtus valide costato, nervis 
lateralibus 2, scapo valido triquetro folia longe superante, bractea obovata 
compressa complicata apiculata, sepalo dorsali parvo rotundato in caudam 
flexuosam 5-pollicarem reflexam abrupte angustato flavo, lateralibus in 
laminam cymbiformem costatam rufo-castaneam cuneatis, apicibus in caudas 
4-pollicares flavas basi contiguas dein divaricatas abrupte angustatis, petalis 
columnam vix superantibus late linearibus apice 3-dentatis, labello ungui- 
culato, lamina oblonga apiculata brunneo-maculata, ungue apici 2-auriculata. 
M. Ephippium, Reichb. f. in Bot. Zeit., 1873, p. 390; Xenia Orchid., vol. ii., 
p. 213, t. 195; Gard, Chron., 1874, p. 372. 
M. Trochilus, Lind. et André, Rev. Hortic., t. 180. 
Dr. Reichenbach, to whom I am indebted for the references 
to this species, observes of it that it is a highly curious one ; 
and it is indeed very different from any hitherto figured in 
this work, especially in the lateral sepals, that form a deeply 
concave bowl-shaped body, of a remarkable rufous-brown 
colour, and are thoroughly united even to the base of their 
long tail-like tips, which curve away from one another in a 
singular manner. The inside of the united sepals is, more- 
over, traversed by five corrugated ribs or keels, that meet at 
the apex of the body, leaving deep concavities between them. 
I am indebted to Mr. J. T. Barber, of the Old Hall, 
Spondon, Derby, for the opportunity of figuring this fine 
species, which he sent to Kew in March last, with the infor- 
mation that it was grown in a house with a day temperature 
of 65 deg. Fahr., and a night one of 52 deg. to 60 deg., and 
was watered but sparingly, a flower having been spoil 
previously by over-watering. Dr. Reichenbach states that it 
was first discovered at Loxa by the late Dr. Krause, who sent 
i Messrs: Backhouse, and that it has subsequently been 
ANVARY Ist, 1876. 
