1681 



*BLETIA gracilis. 



Slender Bletia. 



GYNANDRIA MONANDRIA. 



Nat. ord. OrchidEvE, § EpiDENDREiE Zinc?Z. (^Introduction to the Natural 

 Systein of Botany, p. 262.) 



BLETIA. Supra, vol. \l,fol. 1401. 



B. gracilis ; sepalis petalisque subEequalibus lanceolatis acuminatis, labelli trilobi 

 lobis lateralibus nanis rotundatis intermedio transverse emarginato undulato : 

 lamella solitaria in medio, foliis plicatis oblongo-lanceolatis acutis subtus 

 discoloribus. 



B. gracilis ; Lodd. Bot. Cab. 1681. 



Pseudobulbi ovati, agyregati, purpurei. Folia plicata, membranacea, 

 latitudine variabilia, scepius unico tantum perfecto cuique pseudobulbo. 

 Scapus terminalis, gracilis, purpuratus, 1 J pedem longus, erectus, calami 

 corvini crassitudine, parcissime squamatus,apice racemum brevem 3'4-Jlorvm 

 gerens. Flores subringentes, sepalis petalisque sordide luteis, rosea versus 

 apices suffusis ; labello basi roseo venis picto apice luteo. 



A native of Mexico, whence it was introduced by the 

 Messrs. Loddiges, of Hackney. Our drawing was communi- 

 cated by James Bateman, Esq. from his collection at Kny- 

 persley, in July, 1833 ; we also received it in flower at 

 nearly the same time from the Hon. and Rev. William Her- 

 bert. 



It probably requires the treatment of Bletia verecitnda, 

 acutipetala, and Shepherdi, to all which it is nearly re- 

 lated ; and it ought, when at rest, to be kept where it is in 

 no degree exposed to circumstances that are favourable to 

 its growth. Dryness, and a cool place at the back of a 



* Sccfol. 1401, 



