I cannot but consider the former as a variety, having longer 
leaves and narrower petals; with a colour, very inferior in 
brilliancy, to that which we now represent, and which may 
indeed be reckoned among the handsomest, and certainly 
the most richly coloured of this splendid family. Their 
blossoms also continue for a considerable length of time in 
perfection. Though introduced to Kew from Jamaica since 
1793, it appears to be yet a rare plant in our gardens. Its 
blossoming season is May and June. 
Descr. Bulbs or pseudo-bulbs clustered, roundish-ovate, 
compressed, often richly stained with brown, and bearing, 
from the apex, one or two leaves, which are linear-oblong, 
three to four inches high, somewhat coriaceous. Peduncle 
also arising from the same point, eight to ten inches or 
more high, jointed and bracteated, and bearing a raceme of 
six to nine flowers at the summit, which are of a very rich 
crimson colour. Calyx of three equal, spreading, equi- 
distant, lanceolate sepals. Petals spreading ; two lateral 
ones broadly ovate, acute, slightly crisped ; lower one or 
labellum rotundato-cordate, obscurely two-lobed, waved 
and delicately crenate at the margin : the base beneath 
running down into a very long, adnate spur upon the scar- 
let germen, Column short, whitish. Anther-case small, 
hemispherical : Pollen-masses, two compressed pairs, with 
the caudicles folded down upon them. 
Fig. 1. 1, Column, with the Germen and Spur. 2. Inner view of the 
Anther, containing the Pollen :—magnified. 
