MasprvaiiA CHOLERA. 
in 1875. Both Roezl and Wallis, while collecting M. Chimera, observed its extreme 
variability, but although several varieties sent home by them received specific names 
from Reichenbach, he seems never to have quite decided whether to treat them as 
as forms of the original 1/7. Chimera of Roezl. The varieties now In 
distinct species, or : ‘ ak 
form a tolerably consecutive series, and it is well 
cultivation are so numerous that they ; ve 
yy Wee v yoo > 1g » a] aq © y i ay’ Tar1e AS, 
known that throughout the vast geographical range of the species many ot ner a ie 
exist, a fact which sets at rest all doubt as to the polymorphous character of the plant. 
In order to realise the wonderful variation of 47. Chimera, anyone interested in 
the subject could not do better than visit the rich collection brought together at 
Glasnevin, Dublin, by Mr. F. W. Moore, to whom I am indebted for many beautiful and 
curious varieties. It is proposed to figure in the present work a few of those best known 
in cultivation, and by dealing with each one separately, the number can be added to at 
any time. The plant here represented was imported by Mr. Bull, and was one of the 
first to flower in this country. The seed-capsule, fig. 6, was drawn from a specimen at 
the Natural History Museum, South Kensington, dried after the edges had split open 
and allowed the seeds to escape, thus showing the hair-like threads by which the seeds 
were attached to the inner surface of the capsule. The structure of every part of the 
flower presents interesting and peculiar characteristics, the uses of which in the life- 
history of the plant can only be surmised. The abundance of ripe seeds produced by 
wild plants of M. Chimera seems to prove that some of the organs within the flower are 
effective in attracting insects, although there is no honey or other tempting fluid to act 
asalure. The successive development of the flowers may possibly be designed as an 
additional means to ensure the production of seed; if one flower fails, another can be 
rapidly expanded, until all the buds have been developed, and every opportunity has 
been given for the appearance of the insect necessary to fertilise the seed. In a 
cultivated state, when the flowers have but a small chance of fertilisation by insects and 
therefore rarely produce seed, the stem goes on developing flower after flower in 
uninterrupted succession, each one fading and falling off before the expansion of the 
succeeding bud. This is shown in the accompanying Plate by the stem bearing one bud 
and four small stalks, from each of which both flower and seed-capsule have fallen. In 
the wild specimen shown at fig. 6, the second bud may be seen in quite an elementary 
stage of growth, the first flower having probably been fertilised by some insect, and the 
effort required by the plant to ripen the seed having temporarily arrested the growth of 
the next bud. 
The following note is contributed by Consul Lehmann, whose botanical researches 
during a long residence among the mountains of Colombia entitle him to be considered 
the greatest authority upon the flora of that region. 
Masdevallia Chimera has a larger geographical distribution than any other species of its section 
extending in an uninterrupted line from 0°30’ to 8° N. lat., or about 400 miles, along the western iain 
of the Western Andes of Colombia. It is chiefly confined to the western slopes, but at the most northern 
limit of is range it is alls ikon on the central mountains of the Departments of Bolivar and Antioquia. 
From 1,700 to 2,200 neha (5,525 to 7,150 feet) above the level of the sea is the limit of its vertical 
range, and it occurs most frequently at just 2,000 métres (6,500 feet). It grows in damp thick shady 
woods, chiefly on the ground, or upon the base of the trunks of large trees. Sometimes it is met with 
upon damp shady walls of rock, if they are not much covered with ferns or other vegetation. WI] 
found high up on trees, which is rarely the case, it chooses situations in which decayed eee Ae mo = 
have accumulated. The climate of the whole region is very damp, and as there are very few ane si Ai 
year without rain the atmosphere is almost saturated with moisture. i sain 
The annual me: 
oa é é ean temperatur 
ranges between 16° and 18°.5 Centigrade (about 60° to 65° Fahrenheit) : 
M. Chimera varies very much in colour, form, and size, which might be considered the natural 
ey ; ? g : side aT 
consequence of its very extensive geographical distribution h meee 
different varieties grow mixed together in nearly every locality, some having the eround col f tl 
ne } . oe 5D r ° 
flowers dull white, and others greenish yellow. The size of the flowers RTT, diffi Bris 
ality rn limit of its r ean : 8, ever, diffe 
locality. At the northern limit of its range, the vicinity of La Br: 
ad not actual observation proved that 
rs much in each 
6 «© ne RB ricen 9 
amadora, Briceiio, and San Andres, the 
