Tap. XXX. 
SCHOMBURGKIA TIBICINIS: 
TRUMPETER’S SCHOM BURGKIA. 
Trisus: EPIDENDRE#.—Linptey. 
SCHOMBURGKIA. Lindl. Sert. Orch. sub Tab. x. 
SEPALA et petala conformia, patentia, omnino libera, basi equalia. Labellum 
difforme, membranaceum, trilobum, cucullatum, basi cum margine column con- 
natum, supra basin tumidum (intrusum): venis lamellatis. Columna marginata. 
Pollinia octo. Rhizoma repens, annulatum, pseudo-bulbigerum. Folia coriacea. 
Scapi terminales vaginati, longissimi. Bractew spathacee.— Herbe epiphyte 
Americ wxquinoctialis, floribus speciosis, racemosis, congestis. 
Scnompurexta tibicinis ; pseudo-bulbis conicis corniformibus annulatis sulcatis 3-phyllis, foliis 
oblongis coriaceis patentibus, scapo longissimo tereti distanter squamato apice paniculato, panicula pyra- 
midali laxitlora, sepalis petalisque undulatis crispis, labello oblongo venis per medium 5 elevatis approxi- 
matis : laciniis lateralibus apice rotundatis intermedia subrhombea emarginata, anther emarginata. Lindl. 
Bot. Reg. Misc. 119. 1841. 
Epidendrum tibicinis, Barzan in Bot. Reg. Misc. 12. 1838. 
Habitat in Honduras, passim. —Sxtxner. 
Description, 
Stems tapering, hollow, deeply furrowed, from a foot to a foot and a half, or even two feet 
long, bearing three or four broad, oblong, leathery Leaves, siv inches long. FiowEr-STEM terminal, 
upright, terete, very long, occasionally reaching the height of ten feet, at its extremity producing a 
SPIKE of about twenty flowers ; usually it is simple, but occasionally, as is represented in the Sigure, 
slightly branched. FLoweERs two inches and a half across, opening in succession. Separs and 
PETALS nearly equal, very much curled, upwards of an inch long, dark chesnut brown inside, and 
dirty purple without. Lip three-lobed, the lateral divisions rounded at their extremities, the middle 
one much smaller, somewhat of a rhomboideal form, emarginate; the whole of the inside of the lip is 
white, with the exception of the edges, which are beautifully pencilled with crimson, and five elevated 
yellow ridges, that pass along its centre. Cozumn whitish brown, tipped with an emarginate 
ANTHER. 
THIS striking plant is a native of Honduras, where it exists in great abundance; it is also found, 
though more rarely, in Oaxaca and Caraccas. Mr. Skinner was the first to discover it; his attention 
having been attracted, at a considerable distance, by a cluster of its lofty flower-spikes, which, when in fall 
blow, and in the dense masses that the plant produces in its wild state, must be very conspicuous. On 
the occasion in question, its original discoverer was not permitted to obtain quiet possession of his prize, as 
swarms of fiery ants, to which the hollow stems of the species afford a snug retreat, issued forth in thousands 
to repel the spoiler, and inflicted pangs which none but the most ardent naturalist would have braved. 
* So called in honour of M. Schomburgk, the celebrated traveller in Guiana. 
