OCTOBER, 1423.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 297 
Although the majority of Odontoglossums in amateurs’ collections are 
garden-raised hybrids, it is always a matter of interest to trace their 
ancestry by means of the specific characters displayed in the flowers, and of 
LABELLUM OF (1) ODONTOGLOSSUM CORDATOM, (2) 0. CIRRHOSUM, (3) 0, HALLII. 
these the crest-like formations on the labellums form some of the most 
interesting and safest guides. In the reproduced photograph of O, warn- 
hamense (Hallii x Pescatorei) on page 245 of our August issue it will be 
noticed that the characteristic spiny crest of O. Hallii is strongly inherited. 
In several Odontoglossums the crest is of a bright-yellow colour, and 
although this feature has never been taken into account when creating 
hybrids, it certainly seems worthy of consideratioa, for situated as it is in 
the centre of the Hower the eye is invariably attracted toit. In hybrids of 
O. cirrhosum, of which triumphosum (triumphans X cirrhosum) affords a 
good example, the crest area of the flowers is generally of a pleasing yellow 
colour, while in O. Rossii this bright colour is extended from the tooth-like 
crest to the surrounding area in a s 
manner that makes many of its hybrids 
particularly distinct in this respect. 
Zygopetalum maxillare affords an 
example of extreme development of the 
crest, which in this case is very 
prominent and_ fleshy, ridged and 
furrowed on the inner side, as well as 
being of violet - purple, an unusual 
colour in Orchids. This species was 
named maxillare by Messrs. Loddiges 
on account of the fanciful resemblance 
of the crest and column to the jaws of 
an animal. 
L 
ZYGOPETALUM MAXILLARE. 
