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Pi. DLE 
ONCIDIUM PHALAENOPSIS uo. et rons. r. var. EXCELLENS t. rnp. 
MOTH ONCIDIUM, SUPERIOR VARIETY. 
ONCIDIUM. Vide Lindenia, I, p. 37. 
Oncidium Phalaenopsis. Vide Lindenia, II, Pui5 7s. 
Oncidium Phalaenopsis Rous. F. in Gard. Chron.; 1869, p. 416. 
Oncidium cucullatum var. Phalaenopsis. VerrcH, Man. Orch. Pl., VIII, p. 30. 
4 ncidiwm Phalaenopsis, although a fairly variable Species, has never yet 
=<}. perhaps produced such a beautiful variety as that represented by our 
© figure, which in our opinion has every reason to be described by the adjec- 
tive we apply to it. In the ordinary form, which is to be found in all collections, 
the sepals and petals are dotted and barred with purple-red in the centre; the side- 
lobes of the white lip are washed with purple-rose and the disc is also spotted with 
dark purple. 
In the variety now under notice the colouring is of a deeper and more violet 
tint. The petals especially have large blotches which commingle in such a way so 
as to leave only a white irregular border all round the edges. In front of the 
yellow disc the same tint of violet is to be found surrounded by small spots. The 
flower as a whole is decidedly larger than in the type, and its broad expanded lip 
with a semi-circular and laciniated front lobe is superb. 
This remarkable form rather reminds one of O. cucullatum by the colour of 
the lip, and it may possibly be the result of cross-fertilisation in which the latter 
species played a more or less prominent part. Although there is a superficial resem- 
blance between O. cucullatum and O. Phalaenopsis, we consider these two plants 
to be specifically distinct, as there are many appreciable differences between them, 
such as the habit of growth, the shape of the petals and sepals, the form of the 
lip, and particularly the side lobes, the attractiveness of the front lobe, and the 
structure of the disc, not to speak of the colour which is quite distinct. Indeed, 
O. Phalaenopsis in our opinion is one of the most charming species of the genus, 
and much superior to O. cucullatum. 
O. Phalaenopsis was discovered in 1867 by Wallis who was capone for 
and under the instructions of M* J. LINDEN. The new variety which now raises 
it so eminently in the favour of orchidists also appeared among the importations 
of M. Linpen of the HorticuLture INTERNATIONALE. It was exhibited at a meeting 
of the OrcuipEENNE on Dec. 13 last and received a First Class Diploma of 
Honour. 
ee 
Cos. 
