‘TAB: XI: 
EPIDENDRUM STAMFORDIANUM: 
LORD STAMFORD’S EPIDENDRUM. 
Eripenprum Stamfordianum, caulibus incrassatis 2-3 vel 4-phyllis racemis radicalibus multifloris 
brevioribus ; sepalis, petalisque duplo angustioribus, lanceolatis acutis ; labelli trilobi column apice connati 
lobis lateralibus obovatis integris, intermedio unguiculato transverso emarginato lacerato ; columna dentibus 
duobus brevibus instructé: anthera dorsali. 
Description, 
STEMS rhizomated, a foot high, bearing from two to four oblong coriaceous LEAVES. SPIKES 
proceeding from the base of the stems, than which they are considerably longer, terminated by a 
many-flowered cernuous raceme. SEPALS oval-lanceolate, acute, two-thirds of an inch long, of « 
dull greenish yellow, with crimson streaks. PETALS linear-lanceolate, not quite half so wide as the 
sepals, which they resemble in colour. Lip three-lobed; the two lateral lobes obovate, rounded, 
entire, broader than the sepals, whitish, destitute of spots; the central lobe unguiculate, nearly the 
same size as the lateral ones, emarginate or two-lobed, its anterior edges deeply indented, yellow in 
some varieties, in others of the same hue as the sepals, and with a few crimson spots; the lip, which 
has a longitudinal callosity on its disk, is united with the upper extremity of the column. CoLumMNn 
short, furnished at its union with the lip, with two short diverging horns. ANTHER dorsal, deeply 
imbedded in the column, of a reddish purple colour. 
“ WHILE detained at Isabal by the cholera, I quietly took a canoe, and amused myself by a cruise 
of a few leagues along the shores of the great lake, in search of our favourite Orchidacee. I returned 
home, drenched to the skin, but happy, nevertheless, in the highest degree, for I had discovered a most 
beautiful plant, and one which I am perfectly certain is new to you all. It is called here ‘ Quartorones,’ in 
allusion to the four colours which may be seen in its blossoms; and a more beautiful spectacle than they 
presented, I never beheld. It hung suspended, as it were, over the margin of the lake, and sent forth 
perfumes that reminded me of the violet, and reached me at a great distance. For twenty minutes I stood 
gazing at it, before I could prevail upon myself to disturb it; but I found it in such abundance, and in 
such splendid flower withal, that I at length nearly filled my canoe before I could stay my hand, fancying 
each specimen finer than the one before it. Oh, that it were with you safe !” 
Such is Mr. Skinner’s account of his discovery of this extraordinary plant. The specimens, for 
which he expresses so much solicitude, had a most prosperous voyage, and reached us in safety about the 
end of June, 1837. ‘They did not long remain inactive, and early in 1838 the two flower-stems made their 
appearance from which our figure was prepared. The four colours from which, according to Mr. Skinner, 
it derives its vernacular name, are not very prominent in cultivation ; indeed, unless we distinguish the 
yellowish white of one portion of the lip from the purer yellow of the other, we do not see how they are to 
be made out. It is, however, probable that there are many varieties of this species, some of which may 
have their colours more distinctly marked than others. In cultivation it requires no peculiar treatment, 
but is perfectly satisfied with such as the most robust of its fellows receive. 
* Supra. Tab. X. 
