i oa 
flowered. Fxowers large, shewy, remarkably singular, nodding. 
The upper sepal of the calyx and the petals linear, very long, contract- 
ed at the base, with distant green spots; lateral sepals oblong tapering, 
blunt at the apex, revolute and wavy at the margin, longer than the 
lip, which they nearly enclose, striped with transverse yellowish 
green stripes or spots; the lip’ consisting of three segments, the central 
one of which is large, round, emarginate, spread out, crisp, crenated — 
or curved at the margin, outer portion of a cinnamon colour, central 
part greenish yellow, very uneven, contracted at the base, the two lat- 
eral segments roundish, spotted; the glands of the crest resembling 
a frog sitting; the wings of the column serrated. POLLEN masses 
two-lobed. Ovary small, linear-club-shaped, striated. - 
Poputar AnD Geoerapuican Notice. This most singular plant 
grows in the island of Trinidad, clasping its white roots around the 
branches of trees, from which, however, it does not directly derive any 
nourishment, being an epiphyte, not a parasite. The greater num- 
ber of the members of this tribe grow in those parts of the world, 
where heat and great humidity co-exist, as they live chiefly by absorb- 
tion from the atmosphere. Humboldt says “that the lifetime of an art- 
ist would not be sufficient to represent the splendid orchideous plants 
which are produced in the deep awe-inspiring mountain-vallies of the 
Peruvian chain of the Andes.” An equal luxuriance of this kind of 
vegetation prevails in the moist forests of both Indies; while it is al- 
most entirely absent from the South-sea islands. For some interesting 
notices of the habits of Epiphytal Orchidacee, see Loudon’s Gardeners’ 
Magazine for January, 1835, p. 1. and also March, 1835, p. 137. 
INTRODUCTION; WHERE GROWN; CULTURE. This species was in- 
troduced into the stoves of Great-Britain, from Trinidad, by the late 
Baron De Schack, in 1823. The specimen from which our drawing 
was made, flowered in June last, in the choice collection of Orchidaceous 
novelties of John Willmore, Esq. of Oldford, Staffordshire, where its 
slender stem attained the height of two feet and a half, supporting its 
solitary flower, which like a splendid insect seemed ready to take wing 
and leave behind its more earth-bound kindred. 
DERIVATION OF THE NAMES. 
Oncidium, from “Oyeidioy Osxrpron, a tubercle, from two prominences on the 
lip of the i by Swarrz, in Acta, Holm. 239, 1800. Papilio, 
a butterfly, from its resemblance to that insect. 
SYNONYMES. 
Oncipium Paprtio. Lindley, in Botanical Register, 910. Hooker, in Bota- 
pion Loddige, Botanteal Cabinet, 1086. Lindley, Genera 
and Species of Orchideous Plants, p. 208 
