42 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



As we ascend higher we find the majestic CattJeya gigas, and still 

 higher up we have a veritable botanical garden; among others we 

 find here in great profusion Miltonia vexUlaria {Josephita or pen- 

 samiento as this plant is called here). There are also Lvcastes in 

 variety, Sobralias, Oncidiums, Anguloas, Odontoglossums ; and 

 Rodriguezias and ^Nlasdevallias in great varieties along the trail. 

 On the banks and rocks, exposed to the full sun, the pretty Epiden- 

 drum fimbriatum grows in masses, the effect of which reminds one 

 of our Phlox ftubiilata in the spring. ^lany more could be men- 

 tioned but time will not ])ermit. 



From this region we will move southward going by mule back the 

 entire length of Antioquia, following the highway leading almost 

 exclusively over a high plateau with pretty towns and villages 

 along its course. After twelve to fifteen days' riding we arrive at 

 Cartago in the Cauca, situated at the foot of the Central Cordillera 

 on the western side, and by traveling along southward a day or 

 two more, we are right in the heart of the home of Cattlei/a CJiocoen- 

 sis. This Cattleya unlike most of the others occurs in forests on 

 level land which is very swampy; the trees are as a whole small and 

 stunted and overgrown with moss. Here, strange to say, I saw the 

 most beautiful sight it has been my fortune to see; in these jungles 

 the plants grew by the thousands; the trees being literally covered 

 with them and in full bloom (end of August). I particularly 

 remember that I got my mule under a tree and sitting in the saddle 

 picked a large bunch of flowers; these were particularly fine and 

 large, so different from what we see them under culture where they 

 only half open. The treatment we give this plant under cultiva- 

 tion probably has something to do with this. Where they grow it is 

 very warm and humid. I noticed in the early morning as soon as 

 the sun reached the forest a dense mist would rise from the ground 

 and envelope evervihing; this would gradually disappear as soon 

 as the sun became stronger. 



The western .slope of this Cordillera is not abundant in orchids. 

 I made explorations all along going up several rivers and canons, 

 but with poor results. In one place I found five plants of Cypri- 

 pedmm caudatum Wallini growing on one tree. I thought I 

 had found a "bonanza" and the result was three weeks' constant 

 labor and marching from one place to another, but not another 

 plant could be found. 



