MASDEVALLIA ELEPHANTICEPS. 
cultivation. The first plants which flowered in this country were imported by Messrs. 
Veitch in 1874, from Frontino in Antioquia, and when Professor Reichenbach received 
from Mr. Veitch rather small fresh flowers from these plants, he gave them the specific 
name Gargantua, failing to identify them with the dried specimens to which, more than 
twenty years before, he had given the name elephanticeps. His description of the colour- 
ing of M. Gargantua agrees exactly with that of AL elephanticeps, the “three pale 
whitish stripes on each side” being the opaque prominent nerves, through which the 
ruddy crimson within the flower is not apparent. The plant is now grown in many 
collections of Masdevallias under the two names, the flowers being always identical. 
In describing the fresh flowers Reichenbach notices their strong disagreeable smell 
—a characteristic which must of course have been absent from the dried specimens. 
This odour is perceptible at some distance from the plant, and so exactly resembles that 
of tainted meat that it speedily attracts flies. It is most powerful when the flowers first 
open, and ceases gradually before they fade. I have myself observed that flies had even 
deposited their eggs upon the surface of the flower, but when the young grubs hatched, 
they failed to find sustenance in its tissues, and perished. Although the odour must he 
intended to attract some insect suitable for fertilising the flower, I could not perecive 
any method by which flies or their larvee could effect this purpose, or that they could by 
any possibility remove the rather strongly attached anthers. Some more vigorous insect 
—possibly a beetle—doubtless exists in the native habitat of this plant, specially adapted 
for the fertilisation of the flower, and attracted towards it by the peculiar odour which 
it emits. 
It was with an importation of M. e/ephanticeps made by Mr. Bull from Ocana, that 
our new species Af. fragrans was introduced. The plant remained in his collection until 
purchased by the Marquess of Lothian as MV. e/ephanticeps, for which it continued to be 
mistaken until the appearance of its pale yeliow fragrant flowers proved its distinctness. 
Reichenbach’s M. elephanticeps var. pachysepala is no doubt identical with 
Mooreana, of which a Plate follows in due order. 
Mr. Lehmann adds the following information : 
Masdevallia elephanticeps has rather an extensive distribution over the northern parts of Colombia. 
but always seems to occur but sparingly. In the State of Santander it is chiefly met with around Ocana, 
and in Antioquia it is to be found in the wood between Guarne and Santo Dominzo. In both localities the 
elevation is from 1,800 to 2,100 métres above sea-level (5,850 to 6,825 feet), and I think that it was from 
the latter place that the plants named by Reichenbach Af. Gargantua were found. [t grows on trees near 
the ground, and sometimes also upon the steep rocky sides of deep ravines. 
