for the blossoms, instead of those of the coveted novelty, were not distinguishable from the old C. ventri- 
cosum. ‘These were still hanging to the stem when the inexplicable plant sent forth a spike of a totally 
different character, and which was, in fact, precisely similar to the specimens gathered in Guatemala, and to 
those produced on the voyage. 
It is, at present, impossible to attempt any explanation of so strange a phenomenon, especially on the 
supposition that the two forms of flower are analogous to the male and female blossoms of other tribes, for 
C. ventricosum alone not unfrequently perfects seeds. 
The species (if as such it may be regarded) was named in honour of Sir Purtie Ecerron, before any 
of its eccentricities had been discovered, otherwise the compliment might have been deemed a dubious one. 
For the tail-piece Lady Grey of Groby has kindly contributed a most ingenious device, compounded 
of divers Orchidaceous flowers, which, with very gentle violence, have been induced to assume the attitudes 
in which they appear below.* 
———- “ Nature breeds 
Perverse, all monstrous, all prodigious things, 
Abominable, unutterable, and worse 
Than fables yet have feigned, or fear conceived, 
Gorgons, and hydras, and chimeras dire.” 
Minton. 
* The hag came forth, broom and all, from a flower of Cypripedium insigne ; her attendant spirits are composed of Brassia Lauceana, Angraecum 
caudatum, Oncidium papilio, &c. &c.; two specimens of Cycnoches sail majestically on the globe below, on the right of which crawls Megaclinium 
falcatum. In the centre stands a desponding Monachanthus ; on the left a pair of Masdevallias are dancing a minuet, while sundry Epidendra, not 
unlike the “ walking leaves” of Australia, complete the group. 
