130 ACINETA. 



ACINETA. 



Lindl. iu Bot. Reg. 1843, misc. p. 67. Benth. et Hook. Gen. Plant. III. p. 551. 



The technical distinction between Peristeria and Acineta rests 

 chiefly on the characters of the labeUum and pollinary apparatus ; 

 in the first-named organ there is no articulation at the middle, and 

 the pollinia are not sessile but have a narrow stipes or caudicle. 

 Besides these the flowers are somewhat differently shaped on account 

 of the loo-ser arrangement of the sepals. In addition to the species 

 here described, three or four others are known to science, making up 

 the number to about seven or eight, all natives of tropical America 

 from Southern Mexico to Colombia. 



The jointless immovable condition of the front lobe of the labellum 

 suggested the generic name which is derived from uKivnTog, '^ im- 

 movable." 



Cultural Note. — Like the Peristerias the Acinetas are robust plants 

 with large pseudo-bulbs, large plaited leaves and with a stout, many- 

 flowered inflorescence that is more or less pendulous. They require a 

 high temperature, such as is maintained in the East Indian house, 

 and on account of their pendulous inflorescence they should be suspended 

 near the roof when in flower. In other respects their cultural treatment 

 is the same as for Peristeria and allied genera. 



Acineta Barkeri. 



Pseudo-bulbs pyriform or sub-conic, 4 — 6 inches, strongly ribbed and 

 angulate, di-triphyllous. Leaves broadly lanceolate, acute, plaited, 20 — 25 

 inches long. Kacemes pendent, 12 — 15 inches long, 10 — 15 flowered; 

 bracts sheathing, ovate, acute greenish brown. Flowers fragrant, sub- 

 globose, H inch in diameter, bright yellow with a sanguineous spot 

 on the li]), and a few red spots at the base of the petals ; sepals 

 oblong, acute, concave, the lateral two a little broader than the dorsal 

 one ; petals sub-similar, oval ; lip with a channelled fleshy claw, three- 

 lobed, the side lobes large, incurved, broadly halberd-shaped, and with 

 a large fleshy disk between them : the intermediate lobe much smaller, 

 narrowly oblong, refuse, concave, keeled beneath. Column semi-terete, 

 pubescent, with a very narrow wing on each side of the stigma. 



Acineta Barkeri, Lindl. in Bot. Reg. 1843, raise, p. 68. Paxt. Mag. Bot. XIV. 

 p. 145. Rchb. in Walp. Ann. VI. p. 611. Peristeria Barkeri, Batem. Orch. 

 Mex. et Gitat. t. 8. Bot. Mag. t. 4203. 



Originally discovered by Eoss in a dark ravine iu the neighbour- 

 hood of Xalapa in Mexico, in 1837, and sent by him to Mr. Barker, 



