176 RODBIGUEZIA. 



which is a small triangular lobule ; the disk with two wavy keels 



that are orange-red along the edge. Column with a horn-like auricle 



on each side of the stigma and two small purple teeth above them. 



Rodriguezia venusta, Rchb. in Walp. Ann. VI. p. 194. Burlingtonia venusta, 

 Lindl. in Bot. Reg. sub. t. 1927 (1837). Id. Sert. Orch. t. 2. Illus. hort. 1858, 

 t. 188. B. fragi-ans, Lindl. in Bot. Reg. sub. t. 1927. Williams' Orch. Alb. Fill. 

 t. 363. 



This beautiful species was discovered in the early part of the 



present century by the French traveller and naturalist, Descourtilz, 



growing on the topmost branches of Cedrela trees^ near Bananal, 



in the Brazilian province of Minas Geraes. The drawings which he 



subsequently published led Dr. Lindley to conclude that he had 



detected two species of Rodriguezia, one with drooping the other 



Kodriguezia venusta. 



with erect racemes, to which therefore that excellent orchidologist 

 gave separate names with a brief diagnosis of each in the Botanical 

 Register, sub, t. 1927, published in 1837, distinguishing that with 

 pendulous racemes as venusta, and that with erect racemes as 

 fragrans. Nothing, however, appears to have occurred since to verify 

 this conclusion; no tangible difference is observable in the plants 

 cultivated under the names of Rodriguezia fragrans and R. venusta. 

 The date of the first introduction of Rodtvjuezia venusta is uncertain. 

 In 1856 it was sent to M. Ambroise Yerschaffelt's horticultural 

 establishment at Ghent by his Brazilian correspondent M. Pinel ; and 

 this is the earliest authentic date we fiud respecting it, but it was 

 then known to have been in cultivation many years previously. 



