October 31, 1878. ] 
sOCRNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
333 
rose colour, reminding one of certain Billbergias. The plant, 
however, has been known some time. M. Linden discovered 
it in 1841 on the Guayra, afterwards in Truxillo (Venezuela), 
and again in 1843 on the rocks close to the celebrated bridge 
of Ieononzo at Tandi, New Granada. I have myself found the 
plant afterwards in 1876 on the rocks of Tandi, where M. Linden 
discovered it thirty-three years before. I also saw it again at 
> 
Panche and on the Rio Dagna, Columbia. The specimens 
which had served Dr. Lindley for the description and the 
naming the species (“ Bot. Reg.’ xxx., 1844, p. 21) came from 
the Guayra. Afterwards Wagener on his tour in Ocana came 
across them again, as well as other travellers who sent living 
plants to Europe; yet for all that Schomburgkia undulata 
remains a comparatively rare plant. 
Fig. 54.—GATHERING SCHOMBURGEKIA UNDULATA. 
The general complaint is that it does not bloom very freely. 
I firmly believe that the chief cause is improper cultivation, 
and that with suitable treatment it can be made to flower as 
freely as in its native habitat. All the plants I sent to M. 
Linden, which are now in perfect health, I got from the schis- 
tose rocks of Quetame, and very often endangered my life to 
reach them. The plants attach themselves with their strong 
roots tenaciously on the surface of the rock exposed to the full 
blaze of the sun. The altitude on measurement I found to be 
6300 feet above the level of the sea, consequently quite a tem- 
perate region (terra templada). Not a single drop of rain 
ever reaches them during the dry season. The only other 
vegetation to be found are a few puny Thibandias, some plants 
of Marcgravias, and an Anthurium resembling acaule, all 
tenaciously hooking themselves on to the dreary rocks. I 
found the plants in January, consequently in the middle of 
summer (verano). The flowers of this grand Orchid displayed 
their full beauty without suffering in the least from the effects 
of the long-continuing dry season. The foregoing will give 
an idea of what is required for the Schomburgkias. During 
their period of rest, which is generally between September and 
January, they must be kept perfectly dry, and even be allowed 
to flag, in a dry temperature of 65° to 78°. The blooming 
season being over, about March, they should then be subjected 
