Tab. 6977. 

 MASDEVALLIA Chesteetont. 



Native of New Grenada. 



Nat. Ord. Oechidej:. — Tribe Epidendre.e. 

 Genus Masdevallia, RuizSfPav.; (Benth.et H»ok.f. Gen. PI. vol. iii. p. 492.) 



Masdevallia Chesiertoni ; csespitosa, foliis subsessilibus oblanceolatis subacutis 

 dorso carinatis basi vaginatis vaginis truncato-acutatis, scapis elongahs 

 gracilibus pendulis unifloris, vaginis remotis appressis, flonbus amphs, sepalis 

 patentissimis subcequalibus ovato-rotundatis abrupte in caudis elongitas 

 constrictis luride viridibus purpareo-maculatis conspersisque, dorsahs angus- 

 tioris caudicula apice recta, lateralibus latioribus ad medium connatis caudi- 

 culis apice incurvis v. involutes, petalis basi columnar affixis eseque parallels etd 

 brevioribus erectis angustis compressis apicibus incrassatis truncatis cucullatis, 

 labello sepalis bivviore pedi columns? affixo roseo, ungue sigmoideo protunde 

 sulcato, sulco bilamellato, limbo renit'ormi concavo marginibus mcurvis integns, 

 disco nervis sanguineis radiantibus furcatis instructo, columna mcurva aptera, 

 pede breviuscula. 



M. Cbestertoni, Rehb.f. in Gard. Chron. vol. xix. (1883) p. 532. 



The genus Masdevallia is now supposed to contain at 

 least a hundred species known to have been under culti- 

 vation, and most of them first of all introduced into 

 England. These present groups which most diverse in 

 habit, in inflorescence, and in the forms and arrangement 

 of the floral organs; in which respects (of diversity of 

 character) I suspect that the genus is hardly to be matched 

 amongst Orchids. Being highly coloured, they form a 

 subject for an illustrated monograph so attractive, and 

 that would be so useful, that it is a matter of surprise that 

 no one has attempted such a work. A fraction of the 

 labour and cost expended on gaudy pictures of well-known 

 Orchids would, if expended on Masdevallia, prove a boon 

 to Botanists and Horticulturists. Is there none among 

 the many wealthy growers of these beautiful plants that 

 would undertake to provide means for the execution of 

 such a work ? . 



M. Chestertoni was, according to Dr. Beichenbach, dis- 

 covered and introduced by Mr. Chesterton, a collector for 

 Mr. F. Fanler, and a justly lamented traveller. The 



jan. 1st, 1888. 



