the air. But, leaving to the fanciful these fancied resemblances, we must draw the attention of our more 
sober readers to three peculiarities which will at once distinguish O. ornithorhynchum from all the other 
species of its extensive genus. 
The first of these is its colour, which is wholly without precedent amongst Oncidiums ; its pendent 
flower-stems next attract our notice, which are admirably fitted for showing off its elegant blossoms to 
advantage; and lastly, it diffuses a most delightful perfume, which is not unlike that of fresh hay. These, its 
peculiarities, are also its charms; and when to them we add that it is a free flowerer, and easily managed, we 
shall, we think, have said enough to make every collector of Orchidace wish to have O. ornithorhynchum 
in his stove. Ina wild state, it flowers in February; but, in this country, it will probably, when fully 
established, flower in the latter part of summer. Being found at a considerable elevation, a great heat is 
not required for its cultivation ; although, such is its accommodating disposition, that it seems perfectly at 
home in the hottest part of Messrs. Lopp1ces’ Orchidaceous House. It seems to be partial to potsherds, 
into which, if mixed with small pieces of turfy peat, it will soon thrust its long wiry roots. In 
Humsotpt’s work, the flowers of these species are represented as of a yellow colour; but this is, 
doubtless, owing to the figure having been taken from dried specimens. This is rendered the more 
probable, as in the letter-press by which his plate is accompanied, no mention whatever is made of the 
colour of the flowers. 
For the Vignette, we have to thank Mr. George AcKERMANN, for whose liberality in placing at 
our disposal the whole of his beautiful collection of unpublished Mexican sketches, we have already, 
in another place, expressed our acknowledgments. Mr. Ackrrmann’s sketch was taken in the Village 
of Temascaltepeque, thirty leagues from the capital of Mexico, where, in a neighbourhood celebrated 
for the richness of its vegetation, is to be seen the ruinous old ecclesiastical building, represented 
below, in which, however, mass is still occasionally performed. 
A Picea Ch Oe Ge amatque 
Janua limen, 
Que prius multim facilis movebat 
Gardines)cageuse-gewenee tons ns 
Horace. 
” 
