petalum, proposed by Lindley, can be upheld, is one that has 
already been alluded to in these pages. ‘lhe other leading 
feature in a normal Cirrhopetalum is the elongation of the 
Jateral sepals, which, moreover, are perfectly united. This 
character, like that of an umbellate inflorescence, also 
breaks down, for species occur that serve to link forms like 
the present, in which the elongation is pronounced, with 
typical Bulbophylla, where the lateral sepals hardly exceed 
the upper. But the difficulty thus created is only a tech- 
nical one. It no doubt fully justifies the union of Cirrho- 
petalum and Bulbophyllum, if the question be considered from 
a purely formal standpoint. When, however, regard is had to 
the fact that such intermediate forms are few in number, and 
to the consideration that if these be left out of account it 1s 
impossible to mistake a Cirrhopetalum for a Bulbophyllum, 
it is more convenient to adopt, as Mr. Smith in this case has 
done, the usage that prevails among growers of orchids 
generally. C. biflorum thrives well at Kew planted in a 
teak basket in sphagnum moss and osmunda fibre; it 
requires to be kept in a moist condition during the period 
of active growth. 
Description.—Herb, epiphytic. Rhizome creeping, rather 
slender. Pseudobulbs somewhat distant, ovate-oblong, tetra- 
gonous, about 14-14 in. long, monophyllous. Leaves sub- 
sessile, lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, somewhat obtuse, 
coriaceous, narrowed to the base, 5-6 in. long, 3-2 in. wide. 
Scapes slender, suberect, 3-4 in. long, clothed at the base 
with a few lanceolate sheaths, 2-flowered; bracts ovate- 
lanceolate, acuminate, concave, about 5 lin. long. flowers 
large, showy, purple-dotted ; pedicels spreading or decurved, 
about 1f in. long. Sepals, upper elliptic- or lanceolate- 
oblong, concave, with a long seta, its limb about 10 lin. 
long, the seta 5 lin, Jong ; Jateral linear-lanceolate, much 
attenuate, 3-34 in. long, decurved. Petals oblong-lanceolate, 
very shortly 3-toothed, about 3 lin. long, without setae or 
with the mid-tooth occasionally ending in a seta. Lip 
recurved, ovate-oblong, somewhat obtuse, fleshy, without 
cilia, about 4 lin. long. Column short, broad, without 
teeth, base prolonged as a narrow incurved foot. 
Fig. 1, flower with sepals removed: 2 lip; 8, cotumn; 4, pollinia all 
enlarged, Re oes 
