Tas. IV. 
ONCIDIUM” ORNITHORITY NCHUM: 
BEAKED ONCIDIUMN. 
Trisus: VANDE#.—Linptey. 
Oncrprvm foliis lanceolatis bulbo oblongo compresso 2-3 phyllo 4-plo longioribus, scapis pendulis 
paniculatis ; sepalis petalisque subzequalibus spathulatis ; labello subpanduriformi apice emarginato, crista 
7-dactylé ; columne coronate longe rostrate alis duabus cuneatis erectis rostro recto:—Humboldt et 
Kunth. quibusdam mutatis. 
Oncipium ornithorhynchum, Humporpr et Kunru, Nova Genera et species Plantarum 1, 845. t. 80. 
Habitat in Mechoacan, Humpoipt; Oaxaca, Loppices; Guatemald, SkInNER. 
Mescriptton. 
An EpipnytE, PskEvUDO-BULBS oblong, or occasionally ovate, striated, compressed, 1 or 2 
inches long, bearing 2 or 3 lanceolate, acute, shining, slightly coriaceous narrow LEAVES, of from half 
a foot to a foot in length. ScapsEs pendulous, branched, many-flowered, longer than the leaves. 
SEPALS and PETALS spathulate, nearly equal, of a beautiful rosy-lilac colour. L1p fiddle-shaped, 
3-lobed, the central lobe is long and narrow, but spread out towards the apex, which is emarginate ; 
near the centre the margin is reflexed, as is that of the lateral lobes, to such an extent that they 
appear extremely narrow, and they likewise clasp the sepals which are placed immediately in their 
rear ; in colour, the lip resembles the sepals, but is rather of a deeper hue, and its crest is of a deep 
orange. The crest is composed of 7 tubercles, of which the one that occupies the centre is the tallest, 
and has 3 points. CozumNn, composed of a curious 2-lobed fleshy body, of which the head is turned 
backwards ; near its apex start the two wings, which are toothed, and between them projects 
the curious straight beak, which is formed by the ANTHER on the upper side, and by a projection 
of the column on the under; the GLAND of the POLLEN-MASSES, and the CAUDICULA or STRAP 
which connects them with it, are stretched across this beak. 
Tuts singularly beautiful species of Oncidium appears to inhabit an extensive range of country ; 
more so, indeed, than is usually allotted to the epiphitical species of its tribe. It was found originally by 
Humepotpt, during his memorable visit to Mexico, near the town of Valladolid, in the province of Mechoa- 
can ; but although figured upwards of twenty years ago in the “ Nova Genera, &c.” of himself and M. 
Kunvra, it had never been seen in Europe in a living state until the summer of 1836, when it was received 
almost simultaneously by the Messrs. Lopp1cEs, from Oaxaca, and by ourselves from Guatemala. We need 
scarcely state, that, in the latter case, Mr. SKINNER was the sender. 
Messrs. Loppices’ plants were the first to flower; and our figure was derived from a specimen, pro- 
duced in December last, in theirrich collection. Shortly afterwards, our own plants came into blow; but 
with the exception of having rather stiffer and shorter flower-spikes, they did not differ perceptibly from 
their brethren of Oaxaca. 
The column and anther of this species are sufficiently like the neck and beak of a bird, to justify the 
specific name given to it by its illustrious discoverer ; but, in addition to these points of resemblance, the 
whole figure of the flower approaches, in our opinion, very closely to that of a bird when flying at the top of 
its speed; or its long rosy labellum may be likened to the flowing train of a fairy passing nimbly through 
* Oncidium supra, Tab. I. 
