tinguislied by the tumid joints of the erect stem, of which 

 the contractions become when old so considerable, that the 

 stem acquires something the appearance of a necklace. 



Thunberg describes, in his Flora Japonica (p. 30), an 

 Epidendrum monile, to which he refers the Fu Ran of 

 Keempfer ; but he adds, that the leaves are acute, and 

 the flowers white, which renders it probable that he in- 

 tended some other species. Ksempfer tells us, that it is 

 suspended by the Japanese in baskets before the doors of 

 their houses, in consequence of some vulgar superstition, 

 the nature of which, however, he did not ascertain. 



Stem erect, 2 feet high, polished, branched, with pale- 

 green, tumid joints. Leaves oblong, somewhat distichous, 

 obliquely 2-lobed at the apex, with short, membranous, 

 stem-clasping bases (petioles). Flowers in pairs, seated 

 on a common peduncle, proceeding from the stem towards 

 its apex, pale rose-coloured, marked with red veins. 

 BractecE oblong, obtuse, membranous, slightly hairy. La- 

 bellum with two yellow spots in the throat. 



J. L. 



