Plate 318. 

 ODONTOGLOSSUM MACIILOSUM. 



That Orchids arc increasing in tlie fu\our of tin- pul>lir^ 

 both liorticultnrnl and general, is apparent, we tliink, from 

 the increasing demand, and also from the ai)])reeiative remarks 

 when banks of Orchids are displayed at our great Kxhil)itions. 

 The present season has been peculiarly unfavourable foi- tliis 

 purjxise, many persons refusing to allow their fine collections 

 to run the risk of being injured in sending them to the place 

 of exhibition during the very low temperature wliich has pre- 

 vailed in the months of May and June this year. 



Among the various genera of Orchids, none are becoming 

 moi-e general favourites than the Odontoglossum, the great 

 variety of species, their facility of culture, and their great 

 beauty, all tending to fliis end; moreover, a great impetus 

 has been given to their culture by the magnificent monograph 

 by Mr. Bateman, in course of publication. Some idea of the 

 immense richness in Orchids of the country from whence the 

 subject of our Plate comes may be gathered from the flict, 

 that Professor Heichenbnch, in his recently-jiublished work on 

 the Orchids of Central .\merica, enumerates about 300 sp(>cies, 

 from an area, as we are informed by a contcMuporary, of not 

 more than 200 miles. There is no doubt tliat especial atten- 

 tion has been devoted to this quarter of the world, not only 

 because of the number and beauty of tlie species, but because 

 the greater portion of them will succeed under the more 

 rational and less ex])ensive mode of treatment wliicli has been 

 recently intnxhiecMl. 



Odujitoff/ossnin uiaculusiiin is an Orchid of a vei-v attractive 



