58 



121. ERIA convallarioides. LindL gen. & sp. Orch. 70. 



This plant has at last been obtained by Messrs. Lod- 

 diges. It has small whitish flowers, collected in close heads 

 in the axils of broad striated leaves ; they have no smell, and 

 the species proves much less pretty than was expected. The 

 specific character in the work above quoted, made up chiefly 

 from bad Indian drawings, requires considerable correction, 

 especially as regards the flowers, which are nearly destitute 

 of hairs, and the lip, which is entire, and not 3-toothed. I 

 also find that the anther is not dorsal, but merely contracts 

 towards the back of the column, so as to expose the pollen- 

 masses. The name convallarioides is unfortunate, for it can 

 only bring to mind in India the sweet Lily of the Valley of 

 Europe, and it is a libel on the latter to compare it with this 

 species. 



122. EPIDENDRUM raniferum. LindL gen. & sp. Orch. no. 64. 



A fine plant in the way of Ep. nutans, with large greenish 

 flowers spotted with deep brown. It is a native of Mexico, 

 and was imported by Mr. Barker. In some respects it dis- 

 agrees with the character assigned the species in the work 

 above quoted ; but the differences arise only from the plant 

 having been originally described from bad dried specimens. 



123. EPIDENDRUM (Osmophytum) radiatum; pseudobulbis ovatis com- 

 pressis utrinque tricostatis triphyllis, foliis angustis elongatis acutis, 

 racemo denso multifloro, ovariis trialatis, sepalis linearibus petalisque 

 lanceolatis patentissimis, labello cocbleato crenato crispo, clinandrio 

 trilobo laciniis lateralibus erectis carnosis intermedia truncata, apice 

 serrata. 



A Mexican species, allied to E. fragrans, imported by 

 Messrs. Loddiges. It has the same habit, but the pseudo- 

 bulbs are strongly ribbed at the side, and the lip is formed 

 like that of E. cochleatum, only the margin is crisp and 

 crenated. The flowers are pale pea-green, with the ex- 

 ception of the lip, which is striated with bright deeper 

 purple rays. It is a pretty novelty, and will no doubt become 

 a favourite, because its cultivation may be expected to be so 

 easy. 



