66 ORCHIDS 



Bletia. 



growth this plant requires a warmer atmosphere than the others, 

 and should be placed with the Cattleyas. A native of the ^Vest 

 Indies; introduced in 1S30. (B. M., t. 3518.) 



B. Shepherdii (Hook.). — A strong-growing species, producing 

 its long, branching spikes of llowers during the winter months. 

 They are oi a uniform deep purple colour, except the centre 

 of the lip, which is nearly white. The leaves are broadly lance- 

 shaped, and about i.'.ft. long. A native of Jamaica; introduced 

 in 1825. (B. M., t."33i9.) 



B. Sherrattiana {Baffi/i.). — This species is probably the 

 prettiest of all. Its pseudo-bulbs are flattened, 2in. in diameter, 

 and carry three or four plaited leaves, which taper towards each 

 end. The flowers are of delicate te.xture, but large and showy ; 

 they are produced towards the top of an erect spike, 3ft. in 

 height, twelve or more flowers occurring on a spike. The sepals 

 and petals are of a bright rosy-red colour, and about lin. long, 

 the former being oblong in shape, and bluntish, and the latter 

 being twice as broad, and rounded. The lip is three-lobed, of a deep 

 rosy-purple, with three parallel, golden-yellow, raised lines, traversing 

 the white centre. Introduced from Colombia in 1864. (B, M., 

 t. 5646.) 



B. verecunda (R. Br.). — An interesting plant, which is now 

 and again imported and offered as new. It was the first introduced 

 of all exotic Orchids, having been cultivated in England by Collinson 

 in 1 73 1. It has flattened, underground pseudo-bulbs, tall, plaited, 

 grass-like ibliage, and erect, branching racemes 2ft to 3ft. high, 

 bearing numerous reddish-purple flowers. Compared with others 

 here described, it is not beautiful, but it is worth growing for the 

 sake of its historical interest. It requires a warm-house temperature, 

 and blooms in summer. A native of Central America and the 

 West Indies. 



B. Woodfordii (Hook.). — A synonym oi PJmii/s uiaiu/atiis. 



BOLLEA {Rchb. f.). See Zygopetalum. 



BONATEA. 



A terrestrial stove Orchid, of the tribe Ophrvdcu, allied to 

 Habeiiaria, and requiring similar culture. The genus is 

 named after Dr. ]-)onato, a distinguished Italian botanist. 



B. speciosa ( [////(/. ).— Flowers white, galeate ; petals bipartite ; 

 racemes many-flowered, compact ; bracts cucullate, acummate. 

 Introduced from the Cape of Good Hope in 1S20. Syn. 

 Habeiia)-ia Roiiatea. ( B. j\I,, t. 2926 ; L. B. C., t. 2S4.) 



