MASDEVALLIA ABBREVIATA. 
elder polysticta” (that is, the plant figured in 1876, Bot. Mag. t. 6258) “is, I have no 
doubt, what I call abbreviata.” 
The distinguishing features of the two plants are: In M. abbreriata the bracts are 
larger and more ample than those of JZ. me/anopus, while the flowers are rounder and 
wider, the edges of the sepals being serrated ; the tails of JL abbreviata are rounded. 
while those of AZ melanopus are flat; to these characteristics may be added the 
remarkable one-sided growth of the flowers of AL. melanopus, specially mentioned by 
Professor Reichenbach in describing that species, and never seen in any form or varicty 
of AL. abbreviata, the flowers of which are placed in no regular position upon the stem. 
The internal organs, also, of AZ. abbreriata, as will be seen by comparing the two Plates 
published in the present work, differ from those of AZ. melanopus both in structure and 
colouring. 
It is curious that the name abbreviate seems to have entirely disappeared from inost 
collections, the name melanopus being substituted for every form and variety of 
M. abbreviata; and I have received innumerable specimens under the name melanopus 
which were in fact abbreviata. 
The plant from which the accompanying drawing was taken has existed in the 
collection of the Marquess of Lothian at Newbattle Abbey since 1879 under the name 
of MW. abbreviata, and is probably one of the few which remain, correctly named, of the 
original importation from Peru by Mons. Ortgies, of Ziirich. 
