Tas. 4909. 
CATTLEYA pico.tor. 
Two-coloured Cattleya. 
* Nat. Ord. OxrcHipE#.—GyYNaNDRIA MOoNANDRIA. 
Gen. Char. (Vide supra, Tas. 4700.) 
CattLeya bicolor ; foliis oblongo-lyratis caule tereti elato triplo brevioribus, se- 
palis lanceolatis falcatis acutis, petalis parum latioribus subundulatis obtu- 
sis, labello indiviso plano apice dilatato rotundato crenato convexo. Lindl. 
Carrteya bicolor. Lindl. Bot. Reg. sub fol. 1919. Lindl. Sertum Orchid. 
Plate V. f.1. Bot. Reg. 1838, Misc. p. 80. 
“EPIDENDRE iridée. Descourtilz’s Drawing, pl. 49. p. 105.” 
The entire absence of the lateral lobes of the lip (which usu- 
ally enfold the column in this genus) gives this species a most 
remarkable appearance, and may after all possibly be indicative 
of one of those freaks of nature which are so common in the 
flowers of this natural family. The column is here quite ex- 
posed, presenting an unnatural appearance in the flower. The 
Sepals and petals are of a peculiar lurid colour ; but this circum- 
stance is in some degree compensated for by the delicate pink of 
the large fleshy column, and the deep rose-purple of the exposed 
upper side of the lip, with its white delicate fringe at the broad 
apex. ‘The plant is a native of Brazil, and for a long time was 
only known in Europe by the drawing made on the spot by 
M. Descourtilz, published by Dr. Lindley. In 1838 it was an- 
nounced as having been imported by Messrs. Loddiges. Our 
Specimen was sent us in October, 1854, from the collection of 
the late Mr. Cox. M. Descourtilz is stated to have found it in 
the neighbourhood of Bom Jesus de Bananal. 
Desor. Stems (or pseudo-bulbs) unusually Jong and slender for 
this genus, a foot or more in length, clustered, swollen and root- 
ing at the base, jointed and deeply striated, more or less clothed 
with sheathing, deciduous, pale-brown membranaceous scales ; 
bearing two, spreading, oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, coriaceous 
APRIL Ist, 1856. _ 
