29 



upper one is of a paler colour, and somewhat longer, and 

 narrower than the other two, which are crescent-shaped, and 

 have the lower half of each deeper tinged than the upper. 

 Petals oblong-obtuse and convex, closely covering the 

 column as if it were with a hood. They are of a similar 

 colour to the sepals, but rather paler at the edges, and of a 

 thinner texture, with a pink coloured line up the centre of 

 each. Labellum three-lobed ; the two lateral ones are 

 rounded at the edges, which are erect and of a redder colour 

 than either petals or sepals, and finely veined. The middle 

 lobe is reflexed and pendent, of an irregular figure, nearly 

 as long as it is broad, with a white undulated margin, and 

 rather deeply indented in the centre. The colour is a deep 

 reddish pink. Along the middle are seven, longitudinal, 

 elevated ribs, of a yellow colour, except the outer one on each 

 side which is nearly white. Column very much curved, 

 rounded on the upper side, a little hollowed beneath, two- 

 edged, widest at the point. Anther-case eight-celled. 

 Pollen-masses 8, united in pairs. 



" The plant requires the same treatment as the other 

 Bletias, and seems to thrive in a strong loamy soil, with 

 plenty of water when in a growing state." 



36. EPIDENDRUM asperum. Lindley, 



In Hooker s Journal of Botany, p. 6. 



E. asperum; pseudobulbis ovatisbasi subangulatis diphyllis, foliis coriaceis ligu- 

 latis carinatis acutis, scapo ramoso pedunculisque subasperis, sepalis paten- 

 tibus obovato-lanceolatis obtusis, petalis magis cuneatis, labello semilibero 

 cucullato flabellatim cuneato crispo basi callo elevato pubescente obovato 

 medio depresso apice tridentato. 



This species was first known from dried specimens, col- 

 lected in the western parts of the republic of Columbia by 

 Mr. Cuming, and received its name in consequence of the 

 scape and peduncles being covered all over with hard elevated 

 points. It has now flowered in the valuable collection of 

 Thomas Harris, Esq. of Kingsbury, and I am enabled to 

 amend the character. The roughness of the branches is 

 still visible, but chiefly in the form of little specks, and it is 

 only after being dried that this peculiarity becomes distinct. 

 It has dull, dingy, yellowish brown flowers, with a dull yel- 



