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DENDROBIUM MACARTHIJE. 



[Plate 319.] 



J^ativ6 of Ceylon, 



Epiphytal. Pseudohulbs terete, slender, pendant, as thick as a goose-quill, green, 

 spotted with crimson, with a bulbiform base, and slightly swollen joints, from 

 eighteen inches to two feet long. Leaves lanceolate acuminate, about three inches 

 long, and nearly an inch wide, confined to the upper part of the stem, thin in 

 texture, and light green. Racemes axillary, three to five flowered, the peduncles 

 enclosed at the base in sheathing bracts. Flowers some three and a half inches 



in diameter, flattened vertically so as to appear only 



ded ; sepals lanceolate 



acuminate, nearly, equal in length, pinkish-rose, or cherr}^- coloured ; petals oblong 

 lanceolate, same colour as the sepals, but much broader ; lip as long as the petals, 

 spathulate-trapeziform, round at the apex, white, spotted in the throat with purple, 

 the front lobe broadly margined with rosy pink, and veined with lines of darker 

 rose, or dark purple. Column white, tinged with deep rose-colour, sub-quadrate, 

 with two slightly reflexed horns. 



Dendrobium Macarthi^, Hooker ', Botanical Magazine, t. 4886; BatemarHs Second 

 Century of Orchidaceous Plants, t. 158; Williams, Orchid-Growers Manual, 6 ed., 

 p. 291. 



This is one of the most charming species of Dendrobium that has hitherto 

 been discovered, numerous as are the beautiful members of this genus. It is 

 peculiar to the island of Ceylon, and formerly used to be found abundantly upon 

 the forest-trees about Eatna-poora, and in the neighbourhood of Galle ; but is not 

 so plentiful at the present time, as it was a few years back. In its native 

 country it flowers during the month of May, and this has led to its being called 



the Cingalese, " Wissak-Mal," which signifies the Eainy-month flower, or May 

 flower.- In this part of Ceylon the rains are very heavy in May, June, July, and 

 August, and durino- the whole season, even in the so-called dry season, there are 

 frequent showers, quite sufficient to keep delicate Ferns, growing upon the walls^ 

 banks, and upon the trees, in a fresh and growing state, whilst the tem23erature is 

 very equable, usually ranging between 75° and 85°. It is a scarce plant in 

 cultivation, which is much to be regretted, its rare colour and peculiar shape 

 rendering it a perfect gem amongst Orchids ; it is also remarkable in its genus for 

 the great duration of its flowers. This species has always been found difiicult to 

 cultivate, and yet formerly many fine plants were to be found in our collections, 

 and during the past year several plants with fine flowers bloomed with us in the 

 Victoria and Paradise Nurseries. Our plate was drawn from a well-grown plant 



