MaspEVALLIA PACHYANTHA. 
Mr. Lehmann sends the following note : 
Masdevallia pachyantha is restricted to the western slopes of the Central Andes of Popaydn and 
to 3° north of the equator, at an elevation of 2,900 to 3,300 metres (9,425 to 10,725 feet). 
of the upper Andes, and also on walls of volcanic rocks form- 
ing the sides of steep ravines. With the exception, perhaps, of M. racemosa, it is the commonest of all 
Masdevallias, sometimes entirely covering the trunks of trees from the ground up to a considerable height. 
I have observed it on the slopes of the Paramo de Moras, and on the Piramo de las Delicias and Guanicas, 
upon the volcano of Puracé, in great abundance on the Paramo de Barbillas, on the volcano of Tajumbina, 
Pasto, from 1° 
It grows on trees in the thick damp forests 
and in numerous other localities. 
ecies, and the flowers of plants found near Pasto are nearly double 
and are heavily blotched—not streaked—with dark 
arbillas, and these finely 
Among the plants grow- 
M. pachyantha is a very variable sp 
the size of those growing on the volcano of Puracé, 
purplish-brown. The largest plants and flowers come from the Pdramo de B 
developed specimens in all respects justify the name pachyantha (thick flower). 
ing on the Paramo de las Delicias and Guanécas there is a variety with rather small pale yellow flowers. 
The climate of the habitat of MZ. pachyantha is remarkable for its excessive and continual dampness, 
with a clouded foggy atmosphere and extremely cold winds. There is only a short interval, from January 
until March, when little or no rain falls, and at this time instead of rain dense fogs prevail, rising just 
above the forests and enveloping them in constant mist and twilight. During the rest of the year there 
are heavy rains, with sharp east winds, the temperature often falling as low as 1° above zero Centigrade 
(83°.8 Fahrenheit). The average temperature is between 10° and 11°.5 Centigrade (50° and 51°.8 
Fahrenheit). 
As a wild plant WM. pachyantha flowers most profusely, often lasting from September until May. 
