32 



ERIA poly lira. 



Many -tailed J^ria. 



GYiVANDRIA MONANDRIA. 



Nat. ord. Orchidace^ § Malaxed. 

 ERIA. Botanical Register, vol. W.fol. 904. 



E. polyura (Lindl. in Bot. Reg. 1841. misc. 144.) (Tonsse.) ; caule elongato 

 folioso, foliis lanceolatis acutis patentibus strratis, spicis oppositifoliis 

 miiltifloris nutantibus foliis aequalibus v. brevioribus, bracteis ovario dupl6 

 brevioribus adpressis, sepalis petalisque ovatis acutis erectis laevibus, 

 labello cordato ovato acuto basi bicai-inato. 



Of the now very numerous species of Eria this is one of 

 the more graceful, producing from the sides of long leafy 

 fleshy stems a profusion of delicate tails of flowers, each nearly 

 six inches long. The flowers resemble little semitransparent 

 bells just tinged with pink, and having a rich purple and 

 vellow centre. 



The latter appearance arises from the labellum, which is 

 ovate, heart-shaped, and a rich port- wine purple, with a 

 bright yellow tip. 



Mr. Cuming found it in Manilla, and sent it to Messrs. 

 Loddiges, with whom it flowered in October 1841. 



Eria floribunda, to which it nearly approaches, differs in 

 having smaller flowers, erect racemes, and a narrow wedge- 

 shaped lip, with a solitary tooth on each side. 



It is a plant of the easiest cultivation, but requires a hot 

 damp atmosphere, such as that of an Orchidaceous house 

 where Dendrobiums and such plants flourish. The general 

 treatment ought to be the same as is given generally to the 

 extensive race to which it belongs. 



