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MASDEVALLIA BACKHOUSIANA Reis. 7 
Saccilabiata affinis Masdevalliz Chimere Rchb. f. et Wallisii, Rchb. f,, sepalis ovato triangulis latis, tepalis minutis apice triangulo bivalvibus, valvis 
denticulatis intus asperulo muricatis, tumore aspero intus, labelli angulis baseos geminis carnosis, erectis utrinque argutis, lamina oblonga elongata saccata 
elongata limbo involuto denticulata, carinis per discum ternis, ramulis externis carinatis, carinis in denticulos limbi progredientibus lobuliferis, 
MASDEVALLIA BACKHOUSIANA, Rchb. f, Gard. Chron, 1879, June 7. p. 716! Vultus prope Masdevalliz Wallisii, Rchb. f. Folia cuneato oblonga acuta 
latiuscula. Pedunculi porrecti. Flores ampli. Sepala lato triangula caudas non aquantia, intus ac margine filis hirsuta ; albida seu ochroleuca suffusa, maculis 
purpureis, Labellum valde characteristicum visum. 
In Nova Granada. Primum florentem habuit in Europa cl. Jas. Backhouse, Holgate House, York, cui dicata. HT. G. Rehb. f. 
Icones analytice. Flos a latere. Labellum cum columna et tepalis bene auctum. 
Tus is a grand Chimzroid. It is coloured much like the well-known Masdevallia Wallisii (the usual Chimera of 
gardens) but the colours are much brighter, and the flower much larger, white and yellowish, with very fine purple, partly 
hieroglyphic spots. The lip is rather narrow, with numerous teeth around its narrow opening, and with numerous 
indentations. It has a whitish rose colour with yellowish hue. I had some doubts as to the leaves, when compared with 
those of Masdevallia bella, Rchb. f., but I was informed by Mr. James Backhouse that those are narrower and more 
acute, and free from undulations (1881, March 31). HT. G. Rehb. f. 
Few plants have excited more interest among lovers of the curious in nature than those strange looking Orchids 
which form what is known as the Chimeroid group of Masdevallias ; they have a weird unflower-like look about their 
blossoms not possessed by any other Orchid. The subject of our present plate is, unquestionably, one of the most 
wonderful of the group, as well as the most beautiful, as its flowers are very large and present a strange harmony of 
colour. It is, obviously, very closely allied to the typical species of the group, M. Chimera, but differs on account of its 
larger flowers, less attenuated sepals, and brighter colours. “ ¢ flower measures fully 12 inches across. The outspread 
sepals are pale yellow, copiously spotted with reddish chocolate, and are covered on their inner surfaces with a coating 
of bristly hairs. The pouch-like lip is also different from typical M. Chimeera. It is extremely floriferous, and it is not 
uncommon to see well-grown specimens carrying scores of flowers, forming a complete fringe round the base of the plants. 
It was first discovered and sent to England by Messrs. Backhouse’s collector Butler, who found it near Frontino, 
the capital of Antioquia, in South America. This was about seven years ago, and subsequently it was sent home by 
Carder, and later by our collectors, Falkenberg and Schmidtchen; it still, however, remains a comparatively rare Orchid. 
Fortunately, it is a free grower and not difficult to manage. It requires to be grown in an intermediate tempera- 
ture, such as that of a Cattleya house, selecting for it the coolest part. The plant should be grown in a suspended wood 
basket, preferably that known as boat-shaped with open ends, as this form allows the flowers to protrude more freely and 
regularly. A suitable compost for this and other Chimzeroid Masdevallias should consist of chopped sphagnum moss, 
fibrous peat and lumps of charcoal, with an addition of river sand to make it porous. Atno season must this or any 
other Chimeroid Masdevallia be allowed to become dry. Abundance of water must be given from spring until autumn, 
reducing the quantity during winter, otherwise an excess during cold weather is likely to produce leaf-spot. In order 
to keep these Masdevallias constantly moist during active growth, it is a good plan to dip the baskets in a tub of tepid 
water about twice a-week. The temperature must not be allowed to fall below 50 deg. F. in winter, and in summer an 
excessive degree of sun heat must be modified by shading and moisture. Where there is not a special Masdevallia house 
it is advisable to grow the plants, from about the end of September till the end of March, at the cool end of the Cattleya 
house, and during the rest of the year in the cool Odontoglossum house, which is generally well shaded. These 
Chimzeroid Masdevallias have no particular flowering season, but bloom most abundantly during early summer. 
Drawn from a plant in the possession of W. Vanner, Esq., Camden Wood, Chislehurst, Kent. 
