Tas. IX. 
LALIA’ AUTUMNALE 
AUTUMN-FLOWERING LAELIA. 
Trisus: EPIDENDRE®.—Linptey. 
LALIA.— Lindl. Gen. et Spe. Orch. p. 115. 
Prrianruium explanatum. Sepala lanceolata, equalia. Petala majora 
paulo difformia. Labellum (posticum) 3-partitum, lamellatum, circa columnam 
convolutum. Columna aptera, carnosa, anticé canaliculata. Anthera 8-locularis. 
Pollinia 8, caudiculis 4 elasticiss—Herbe epiphyte, American, rhizomate 
pseudo-bulbophoro. Scapi terminales, simplices, pauci vel multiflori. Flores 
speciosissimi, odorati. 
Laxr1a autumnale, pseudo-bulbis ovatis elongatis 2-3 phyllis; foliis arcuatis, carinatis, oblongo- 
lanceolatis, scapo tereti multifloro 6-plo brevioribus ; sepalis, petalisque majoribus, ovali-lanceolatis acuminatis ; 
labelli trilobi lobis lateralibus rotundatis, intermedio deflexo obovato apiculato, margine sub-crispo. 
Bletia autumnale, La Luave et Lexarza. Orchi. Opuse. 19. 
Lelia autumnale, Linn. Gen. et Sp. Orch. p. 115. 
Habitat in Mechoacan, La Luave & Lexarza. In Oaxacd, Karwinsx1. In Mezico passim, Barres. 
Descriptton, 
PsevbO-BULBS, clothed at their base with glaucous sheathing membranaceous scales, throwing 
out sparingly long and somewhat fleshy roots, from two to four inches long, of an elongated ovate 
form, bearing two or three coriaceous, keeled, arched, oblong-lanceolate acute LEAVES, of six or 
eight inches in length. From the apex of the pseudo-bulb arises an upright, rounded Scare, 
bearing, at intervals a few acute membranaceous BRACTS, an inch in length, and terminated with 
Srom two to six, or even more, large, handsome, and fragrant Flowers, which, in wild specimens, are 
quite resupinate, and are nearly so in cultivated ones. SEPALS, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, 
about two inches long, of a faint rose, or rosy lilac colour; Prraxs the same length and colour 
as the sepals, but broader, and of an oval-lanceolate form. Lp 3-lobed, the lateral lobes rounded, 
oblong, pressed against the column, nearly white; the middle lobe obovate, apiculate, an inch long, of 
a deeper colour than the sepals and petals, especially at its margin. Cotumwn semi-terete, in a line 
with, but somewhat shorter than, the Ovarium. 
WE have already alluded (in our “ Introductory Remarks”) to the great partiality of the inhabitants 
of Mexico for Orchidaceous flowers ;—a partiality which is displayed on all occasions of a sentimental 
nature, but more particularly at the festivals and solemnities of the Roman Catholic Church. At such 
seasons, owing to their beauty and durability, the blossoms of this tribe are in great request, and are used 
in preference to all others in the decorations of altars, &c. We need not, therefore, wonder at the 
vernacular names which have been applied to certain of their numbers, such, for example, as that of the 
“ Flor de los Santos,” by which the subject of the accompanying plate is known throughout the whole of 
* So called by Professor Liyptry, in compliment to a Vestal of that name. 
