CHAP ER. xv: 
ODONTOGLOSSUM. 
THE popularity of this genus, one of the most beautiful 
of the Orchids, shows what rapid strides have been made 
in the cultivation and knowledge of the family during 
recent years. Odontoglossum was founded by Humboldt 
in 1815, and up to 1833 there were only five species 
known; whereas at the present time the number described 
is considerably beyond a hundred. It is distinguished 
botanically from Oncidium, to which it is closely allied, 
by the column being long and club-shaped—or, at any 
rate, usually narrowed at the base—and by the base of 
the lip being always parallel with the face of the column, 
and sometimes joined to it. Lindley adds that the lateral 
sepals are very rarely united. The Odontoglossums are 
either epiphytal or terrestrial, with pseudo-bulbs springing 
from a stout, creeping rhizome; the leaves are leathery or 
thin; the flowers are in few- or many-flowered racemes 
or panicles, proceeding from the rhizome, and are often 
very handsome. The species are natives of Mexico, Central 
America, Peru, and New Granada. The name is derived 
from two Greek words, odous and glossa, and signifies 
tooth-tongued—in allusion to the form of the labellum, 
and to its bearing tooth-like projections, called “calli,” 
at the base. 
