Sophronitis 



which Messrs. Sander once forwarded to Kew. 

 But the species is very variable in size. Flowers 

 measure from one inch to three, and too many of 

 those imported belong to the former class; all, 

 however, are dazzling in hue. 



Dr. Lindley was curiously precipitate in naming 

 the genus to which this superb species belongs 

 " Sophronitis." He had seen but the dainty cernua, 

 which that title well becomes, at the time, but he 

 survived to laugh at his own mistake. Perhaps it 

 was a sense of humour which forbade him to change 

 the name. Certainly it is a good joke to call 

 grandiflora " retiring." 



The flower is vivid scarlet throughout, some- 

 times deepening towards crimson, sometimes paling 

 towards orange. The sepals and lip are com- 

 paratively small ; it is the great petals spreading 

 on either side like wings which give the effect. 

 But the lip between, shading into yellow and 

 veined with scarlet, sets off their brilliancy. 



They need all the light that can be given them, 

 and therefore a basket or pan is best, hanging from 

 the roof. The latter will be found most satisfac- 

 tory. I have at this moment a four-inch pan with 

 eleven flowers open ; they last six weeks or more. 

 Autumn and winter. Brazil. 1837. 5s. 



There is a rare variety in which the flowers are 

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