I made this excursion (November 27), when I got to the town of Comalapa, the ground was covered with 
hoar frost, the Leelias, however, as has been already mentioned, were usually screened from the north, and, 
where this was not the case, the plants had a stunted appearance. ‘The name given to the species by the 
Comalapa Indians is ‘Coteach Wiqj,’ meaning simply ‘red flower ;’ but by the Indians who speak Spanish, 
it was termed ‘ La vara del Senor San José,’ 7. e. ‘'The wand of Lord San Joseph.’”* 
Elsewhere (vide Bot. Reg. Misc. 87, 1840,) Mr. Skinner states that, Chantla, another habitat 
of the plant, is very cold, the usual range of the thermometer being from 55° to 65°, and expresses his 
conviction that to cultivate it successfully in England, a greenhouse temperature would be required. In 
this he is not mistaken, for most of the plants that, on their arrival, were placed in a hot and damp 
atmosphere have already perished, while those that were subjected to a cooler treatment have succeeded 
much better, and in some instances made attempts to flower, although the scapes never arrived at 
maturity. Probably when the plants are more firmly established we may be spared such bitter mortifi- 
cations, yet it is greatly to be feared that the species will always prove wayward in cultivation. At present 
it seems to thrive best suspended from the rafters, on blocks of any hard-barked wood. 
The Vignette presents a view of three crosses beneath a gigantic tree, on the road to Naguisalco. 
Mr. Skryyer found them profusely decorated with orchidaceous flowers, as was the tree with plants of the 
same class. 
«All nature teacheth worship unto man, 
And the first instinct of the heart is faith.” 
L.E.L. 
* The wand of San Joseph is usually represented as bearing a quantity of flowers, and from the strong resemblance to Lelia superbiens the 
name is generally applied to it by the Indians of the Altos. A battle having been gained on the 19th of March, 1840 (the day ot San José), the troops 
of Guatemala shortly afterwards gave a féte in his honour, and now regard him as their Patron Saint. 
