MORMODES. 327 
and a superabundance of moisture is apt to cause decay. 
At no period must water be allowed to lodge in the 
centres of the growths. As growth ceases, a cooler and 
drier treatment is necessary to ripen the bulbs; the plants 
may then be placed on a shelf in the Cattleya-house, only 
sufficient water being given to prevent shrivelling. 
M. Colossus.—An extraordinary species, of very striking 
appearance. It has tapering pseudo-bulbs rft. high, dark 
green where not covered by the sheathing bases of the 
old leaves. The plaited, bright green leaves are broadly 
lance-shaped, and roin. to 15in. long. The flowers are qin. 
to 6in. in diameter, and are borne on the upper part of 
strong spikes 2ft. long; the sepals and petals are spreading, 
narrow, and pointed, the lower portion being pink, changing 
to yellow towards the tips; the pointed, cordate lip is of 
a bright yellow, thickly marked with pink dots at the 
base, the edges curling outwards and meeting at the back ; 
the column is about rin. long, green, and arching, and 
is twisted in the usual manner. Although this is not a 
beautiful species, its remarkable structure renders it deserving 
of a place in any collection. It is a native of the mountains 
of Central America, and was introduced in 1870. 
Botanical Magazine, t. 5840. 
M. luxatum.—tThis species and its varieties are the hand- 
somest representatives of the genus as yet known in cul- 
tivation. The pseudo-bulbs are 4in. to 6in. high, thick and 
rounded at the base, tapering towards the top; they bear 
four or five lance-shaped, plaited leaves, rft. to 2ft. long, of 
glaucous-green colour. The racemes of fragrant flowers are 
produced from the current season’s growth about July. 
Each flower is 3in. in diameter, with the fleshy sepals and 
petals lemon-coloured, and the lip yellow, with a streak of 
dark brown down the centre. The flowers are remarkably 
