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CIRRHOPETALUM Medusae. 



T'he Medusa' s-head Orchis. 



GYNANDRIA MONANDRIA. 



Nat. ord. Orchidace^, § Malaxed. 

 CIRRHOPETALUM. Botanical Register, 1838,^.11. 



C, Medusce ; pseuclobulbis ovatis tetragonis, folio oblongo couvexo emargi- 

 nato, vaginis scapi oblongis ventricosis supremo pedunciilo longiore, 

 floribus dense capitatis, sepalo supremo acuminato inferioribus longissi- 

 mis pendulis, petalis triaugularibus acuminatis, labello ovato acuminato 

 bicarinato, columnse auriculis acutis. 



This most singular plant is a native of Sincapore, whence 

 it was obtained by Messrs. Loddiges. In some respects it 

 resembles C. vaginatum, but is a much larger plant, and very- 

 different in the form of its flowers, as will be apparent 

 upon comparing the preceding character with our amended 

 one of C. vaginatum given below. Certainly if ever there 

 was a Medusa this must be the prototype, before her Gorgon- 

 ship's beautiful tresses were changed into serpents ; nor are 

 wanting the scales with which her form was safely guarded. 

 We believe that this young lady was carried out of harms 

 way into the ocean of India by Neptune, and that all they 

 tell us about Perseus having cruelly killed her is a fable ; for 

 is not here the proof ? 



Fig. 1. represents the column, petals, and labellum ; 2. is 

 the labellum separate. 



To grow it well the temperature and moisture of the 

 Orchidaceous stove is required. It may be fixed to a wooden 

 block, and suspended from the rafters, but if treated in this 

 manner a quantity of sphagnum, or turfy peat, ought to be 

 packed round the stem to retain moisture. It ought never 



