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2.8 
Re CCCEXIVE 
MORMODES IGNEUM inot. var. MACULATUM rotre. 
THE FIERY-RED MORMODES, SPOTTED VARIETY. 
MORMODES. Vide Lindenia, Engl. ed., vol. I, p- 23: 
Mormodes igneum. Pseudobulbi conico-fusiformes, 9-11 cm. longi. Folia lanceolata, acuta, plicata, 14-23 cm. 
longa, 2-3.5 cm, lata. Scapi erecti, foliis breviores, basi vaginis spathaceis tecti; racemi 9-12 flori. Bracteae oblon- 
gae, obtusae, 0.8-1 cm. longae. Sepala reflexa, oblongo-lanceolata, acuminata, 2.5 cm. longa. Petala erecta, sepalis 
similia, paullo latiora. Labellum unguiculatum, carnosum, latissime obovatum, apiculatum, margine revolutum. Columna 
1.5 cm. longa, 
Mormodes igneum LinDuL. in Paxt. Fl. Gard., UI (1852-3), p. 97, t. 93, fig. A. — Lem. Fard. Fleur., IV, 
t. 330. — Reus. F. in Walp. Ann., VI, p. 579. — DARWIN Fertilisation of Orchids, ed. 2, pp. 208-219, cum. xyl. 
Var. maculatum. Sepala et petala multobrunneo-maculata. 
Var, maculatum ROLFE supra. 
ormodes ignewm, one of the most distinct and handsome species of the 
genus, was described upwards of forty years ago, by Dr Linptevy. 
i “ This fine plant, ” he remarks, in Paxron’s Flower Garden, vol. III, 
p. 67, “ and several others of the same genus, has been produced from the 
rejectamenta of one of Mr Warscewicz’s sales. In January last (1852) we received 
from Mr. Rucker five sorts of Mormodes, all derived from the same source, 
all in flower, and all new. ” M. igneum, which was one of them, “ was 
conspicuous for the great size of its parts, and for its intense colouring. A stiff 
stalk, about a foot high, bore a dozen large fleshy flowers, of which the sepals 
and petals were alike chocolate coloured, and the lip a rich fiery orange-brown. 
There was no streaking or spotting in any part of the surface. ” The native 
country was somewhat vaguely given as Central America. A coloured plate was 
given of the raceme, which bears out LinpLey’s statement of its brilliant colour. 
Darwin wrote a long account of the structure and fertilisation of its fowers, 
and expresses his cordial thanks to Mr Rucker, of West Hill, Wandsworth, 
for having lent him a plant of this Mormodes, with two fine spikes, bearing an 
abundance of flowers. We have no evidence of its having been cultivated in 
any other collection, and it ultimately disappeared, since which time nothing 
further seems to have been heard of it. 
Its non-appearance might excite some surprise, were it a member of some 
popular garden genus, but when we remember that the much-coveted Cattleya 
labiata eluded the search of collectors for upwards of half a century, and that 
the habitat of the very distinct Cattleya iricolor still remains a profound mystery, 
we need not be surprised that a Mormodes, although one of the handsomest 
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