MASDEVALLIA DAVISITI. 
[PLATE 76. | 
Native of Peru. 
Epiphytal. Stems slender, densely cespitose. Leaves erect, dark green, leathery 
in texture, evergreen, six to eight inches long, narrowly ligulate-oblong, acute, 
carinate, narrowed downwards into the shortish petiole, which is invested at the base 
by a pale green sheath, an inch long, and having a shorter one at its base. Scapes 
slender, longer than the leaves, sheathed at the base, and furnished also with a sheathing 
oblong bract about their centre, and another just below the flower. Flowers nearly 
horizontal, golden yellow; sepals unitéd into a sub-cylindraceous tube, half an ine 
long, gibbous at the base, the dorsal one ovately-triangular, passing into the filiform 
apex, which is three-fourths of an inch long, the lateral ones broader and_ longer, 
connate to beyond the middle, semi-oblong-ovate, broadest at the base, and suddenl 
acuminate near the apex, the opening having a narrow sinus; petals small, dimidiate- 
oblong; lip shorter than the petals, clawed, its limb linear-oblong, obtuse, deep 
crimson, sunk in the base of the sepaline tube, and there appearing like a small 
red eye at the bottom. Column wingless, toothed at the apex. 
Maspevati1a Davist, Reichenbach fil., in Gardeners’ Chronicle, n.s., ii., 710; Id. 
Xenia Orchidacee, iii., t. 3; Hooker ju., Botamcal Magazne, t. 6190. 
New Masdevallias are being introduced to cultivation every year, but it is 
seldom that we get such a distinct and beautiful species as the subject of our 
plate, brought under our notice. This little gem is distinct from the other members 
of this ever-increasing genus both in regard to form and colour, and should be 
Sought for and added to every collection where Masdevallias are grown. Our figure 
was taken from a plant belonging to W. Lee, Esq., Downside, Leatherhead, in whose 
collection these singular plants are well cared for, and at the time of our visit were 
looking remarkably well. : 
Masdevallia Davisii was discovered in 1874, by Mr. W. Davis, when travelling in 
Peru, at a considerable elevation, and was sent home by him to the Messrs. Veitch 
and Sons, of Chelsea, who distributed the plant. The flowers are produced singly. 
on the erect peduncles, which proceed from the base of the leaf-bulb, and are 
generally produced in October and November, lasting several weeks in perfection. 
The colour is a bright chrome yellow, which from its distinctness contrasts well 
with any other kinds of Masdevallias that may chance to be in flower at the 
Same time. 
— Masdevallia Davisii requires the same treatment as that recommended for 
M. Harryana cerulescens, under Plate 24, and is propagated in the same way. 
