Tas. 5616. 
LYCASTE GIGANTEA. 
Gigantic Lycaste. 
Nat. Ord. Orcutprx.—Gynanpria MonanpRiA. 
Gen. Char. (Vide supra, Tas. 4193.) 
LycastE gigantea ; pseudobulbis maximis oblongo-ovatis glabris subcom- 
pressis 2—3-phyllis, foliis oblongo-lanceolatis acuminatis plicatis scapo 
vaginato unifloro longioribus, sepalis ovato- vel lineari-lanceolatis ob- 
tusiusculis, lateralibus falcatis petalis lanceolatis brevioribus, labelli 
oblongi lanceolati trilobi laciniis lateralibus elevatis acutis intermedia 
serrata panduriformi concava apice integra recurva multo brevioribus, 
callo unico emarginato selleformi per hypochilium decurreunte. 
Lyoastk gigantea. Lindl. in Benth. Pl. Hartweg. p. 158. Orch. Linden, 
p. 21. Bot. Reg. v. xxxix. (1843) p. 15; Id. v. xxx. Mise. 48. 
Maxritarta Heynderyexii. Morr. Ann. 1845-9. 
This stately Zycaste is very extensively diffused, having 
been found in Central America by Hartweg,—near Santa 
Martha by Purdie,—and in the forests of Merida, at an ele- 
vation of 5-600 feet, by Linden. As might under such cir- 
cumstances be expected there are many varieties differing in 
the size and colour of the flowers, and also—though to a less 
extent—in the size and form of the sepals and petals; the ~ 
latter are usually of a yellowish-olive, while the velvety lip 
is of a dark rich maroon bordered with orange. The speci- 
men figured was exhibited by Messrs. Veitch at South Ken- 
Sington in July last. 
All the Zycastes may be regarded as subterrestrial, and 
should therefore be accommodated with large pots. They are 
readily grown in a moderate temperature, but prefer the 
shadier parts of the orchid-house. With the exception of 
L. Skinneri—now such a universal favourite—L. gigantea 1s, 
perhaps, the best of its race. Be ; 
Descr. Pseudobulbs very large (sometimes six inches high), 
oblong-ovate, smooth, and slightly compressed, bearing two or 
DECEMBER Ist, 1866. 
