CYCNOCHES CHLOROCHILON Kkotzsea. 
Pseudobulbi fusiformes, erecti, 5—8-phylli. Folia lanceolata, acuta, plicata. Racemi 1—6-flori, Flores magni. d Sepala lanceolato-oblonga, acuta. 
Petala paullo latiora, subfalcata, Labellum superum, sessile, obovato —v. elliptico-oblongum, acutum, medio ventricosum, basi callosum, callo elevato trans- 
verso obtuso triangulari. Columna elongata, arcuata, gracilis, apice clavata, exalata, pollinifera. ? Perianthium simillimum. Columna brevis, crassis, alata, 
ale carnose, triangule, subinflexze ; stigma inter alas situm. : 
CYCNOCHES CHLOROCHILON, Klotzsch in Otto & Dietr, Allg. Gartenz., VI. (1838), p. 225 ; Lindl. Sert. Orch, t. 16; Harting. Parad. Vindob., p. 21, 
t. 35, fig. 2; Rchb. f. in Walp. Ann, VL, p. 560; Warn. & Will. Orchid Album, VL, t. 263 ; Gard. Chron, 1888, pt. 1, p. 145, fig. 24; Ill. Hort, XXXV., p. 
81, t. 65 ; Rolfe in Gard. Chron., 1891, pt. 2, pp. 69 et 394. 
This remarkable and handsome orchid was originally described by Dr. Klotzsch, in 1838, from a specimen sent to Berlin two years previously from 
Maracaybo, in Caraccas, by Moritz. According to Lindley it was also introduced about the same time from Demerara by Messrs. Loddiges, of Hackney, in 
whose collection the figure given in the “Sertum Orchidaceum” was prepared. Wagener also collected it at Caraccas, together with another remarkable 
species, C. maculatum, at an elevation of 4,000 feet above sea-level. Of late years it has become more common in cultivation, and is comparatively well- 
known, which is more than can be said of several other species of this remarkable genus. Although not brilliant in colour, its large flowers are of a pleasing 
shade of yellowish-green, with the front part of the lip of a very light yellow, and a deep green callus at the base, which makes an effective contrast. They 
are, moreover, deliciously fragrant and remain in perfection for a long period. Until recently one sex only appears to have been known ; at all events, I have 
not succeeded in finding a record of the other. Last summer, however, the female flower appeared, both in the collection of M. Houzeau de Lehaie, of Hyon, 
Mons, Belgium, and with Messrs. F, Sander & Co., of St, Albans, and in the former collection both sexes appeared on the same plant, thus excluding all pos- 
sibility of mistake. Years ago other species of the genus gave great surprise by the production of totally different kinds of flowers on the same plant ; it was 
therefore remarkable to observe that in the present species the sepals, petals, and lip are not appreciably different in the two sexes. The column, however, 
presents the usual differences ; being long and slender in the males, without wings, and with the pollen normally developed, but in the females very short and 
stout, with a pair of triangular, fleshy wings, between which the stigma is situated, but with the pollinia either very imperfect or absent. (These differences 
are represented in the annexed analytical drawings). The genus, therefore, comprises two very distinct sections : EUCYCNOCHES, in which the lip of the male 
flower closely resembles that of the female, both in shape and texture ; and HETERANTHA, in which the lip of the male flower is totally different, very small, 
and with the margin broken up into a number of narrow radiating appendages. The present species belongs to the first-named, together with C. Loddigesii, 
C. Haagei, and C. versicolor. It makes the sixth species of which both sexes are known, but there is an equal or greater number whose history is still 
imperfect in this respect, though we may hope it will not much longer remain so, R. A, Rolfe. 
Icones analytic. Flos femininus et flos masculus, sepalis petalisque castratis, a latere visus, 
Id., columna fronte visa. Pollinia. 
To the introduction of Cycnoches chlorochilon from Demerara about 1836 we are indebted to Messrs. Loddiges, of 
Hackney ; it still occupies a prominent position in all collections of note in the country. Belonging to the group 
which includes the genus Stanhopea, Coryanthes, Mormodes, Gongora, and Catasetum, it is, perhaps, the most favoured 
of all these sections, if we except the variety pileatum of the latter genus. Its flowers are bold, and wonderfully interest- 
ing in their structural arrangements; in colour it is uniform greenish-yellow, excepting the lip, which is almost 
canary-yellow and creamy white, having an olive-green patch at the base. The column is long and gracefully curved, 
broader at the apex, and bears a marked resemblance to a bird’s head ; and as the column rises and is arched over the 
broad convex labellum, with the petals appearing, wing-like, at the sides, it bears a singular resemblance to a swan 
with flapping wings, and hence the name of “Swan Orchid” has been given to it. 
The flowers emit a peculiar, though not by any means unpleasant, odour—more particularly in the morning; 
towards evening this becomes fainter, and scarcely perceptible. Its blooms keep fresh and perfect for a considerable time, 
and in this respect it has a great advantage over other varieties of the same genus. 
Peat and loam we find best for potting—about one-fourth of the latter being used—and it is advisable to free it 
from any particles of earth, so that the fibrous part only is left. Plenty of drainage should be afforded ;—watering 
moderately until the new roots are produced, but afterwards it may be given with a freer hand; but during the months 
of October to January, when the plants are at rest, no water should be given. The warmest end of the Dendrobium 
house, exposed to the full sunlight, suits its requirements to perfection. It is decidedly a basket plant. Of late years 
our collectors have found this singularly beautiful and attractive orchid at the outskirts of the woods near the coast of 
Venezuela, and particularly in the neighbourhood of Caraccas. 
Our plate was taken from a plant in the collection of the Dowager Lady Howard de Walden, Mote Park, Maidstone, 
