[*S] 



ONCIDIUM SUPERBIENS Rckb.f. 



Pseudobulbis elongato-ovatis compressis, foliis distichis elongatis lineari-oblongis acutis coriaceis carinatis, panicula maxima effusa, ramis flexuosis, 

 bracteis cymbiformibus subacutis, sepalis trulliformibus unguiculatis undulatis obtusis, postico cordato apice reflexo, Iateralibus ovato-oblongis unguiculatis, 

 petalis brevioribus late unguiculatis cordato-oblongis recurvis crispo-undulatis, labello parvo e basi breviter unguiculato ovato linguaeformi revoluto undulato, 

 callo in disco elevato tuberculato, basi utrinque dente erecto instructo, columnar alis parvis falcatis. 



ONCIDIUM SUPERBIENS, Rchb. f. in Linnaea, XXII. (1849), p. 843 ; Lindl. Fol. Orch., Oncid., p. 5 ; Rchb. f. in Walp. Ann., VI., p. 705 ; id. in Gard. 

 Chron., 1872, p. 904 ; Bot. Mag., t. 5980 ; Warn. & Will. Orchid Album, VI., t. 276 ; Veitch Man. Orch., pt. VIII., pp. 81, 82, cum xyl. 



O. UNDULATUM, Warn. & Will. Orchid Album, VIII. (1889), t. 368 {mm Lindl}). 



Oncidium superbiens was originally described by Prof. Reichcnbach, in 1849, from dried specimens collected by Funck and Schlim at Pamplona, in 

 New Granada, in January, 1847, though it was first found by Purdie on the Ouindiu mountains of the Central Cordillera, in May, 1846. Although again met 

 with by Wagener, Holton, and several others, who sent home dried specimens, it was not until 1871 that it was successfully introduced to European gardens, 

 when plants were received by Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, of Chelsea, which flowered for the first time in their establishment in the spring of the following 

 year. It was figured in the Botanical Magazine immediately afterwards, from the same source. It is a native of both the Eastern and Central Cordilleras of 

 New Granada, if not indeed of all three Cordilleras, as there is a specimen at Kcw localised " Antioquia," on the Western Cordillera. Its habitat near 

 Pamplona is said to be from 8,000 to 9,000 feet above sea level, but its actual range will probably prove to be much greater when more completely known. It 

 belongs to Lindley's group Microchila auriculata, and is nearly allied to O. halternatum, Lindl., O. aemulum, Rchb. f, and O. lamelligerum, Rchb. f., though 

 readily distinguished from them by various characters in the flower. The ground colour of the petals seems to vary from light yellow to sulphur-white, the 

 markings being more purple in the paler forms, owing no doubt to the absence of the yellow pigment. The form here figured is identical with that represented 

 at t. 368 of the Orchid Album, under the name of O. undulatum, which, however, is totally different from Lindley's plant of that name. From typical O. 

 superbiens it chiefly differs in the pallid ground colour of the petals and the more purple markings, and may, therefore, be distinguished as variety pallidum. 

 There is, however, no other difference of importance. This variety has been reported to come from Ecuador, but I do not know on what grounds. It may, 

 however, be a geographical variety, and it is curious that most of the forms I have recently seen belong to this pale variety, while the yellow form figured in 

 the Botanical Magazine seems comparatively rare. R. A. Rolfe. 



Some doubt and confusion appear to exist with regard to claim for a distinct individuality put forward for Oncidium 

 undulatum, many orchid growers and authorities classifying it as a distinct species, while others lean to the opinion that 

 the differences seen are only varietal. However that may be, there can be but one opinion as to the intrinsic merits of 

 the plant now figured, under whatever name it is designated. It is a richly coloured, free-blooming plant, and possesses 

 the advantage of being amenable to cool-house treatment, flourishing grandly with cool Odontoglots. The inflorescence 

 frequently reaches a length of 10 feet or 12 feet, bearing masses of lovely flowers in profusion. There can be no doubt of 

 its close alliance to the O. cryptocopis, O. lamelligerum, O. plagianthum, or small-lipped Oncids, many of which have 

 their home on the western slopes of the Andes, in the northern provinces of Peru, the southern province of Ecuador, and 

 mountains of Columbia, growing as it were in the clouds. They form monstrous pseudo-bulbs, and develop fleshy roots 

 often 10 feet long. 



The culture of these Oncidiums is extremely easy in houses suited to their requirements, what is called a north 

 lean-to being in all respects preferable. Good brown peat and sphagnum moss is the best material in which to grow 

 these plants ; and they should be kept free from fly and thrips, which play havoc with their succulent tissues. 



Our plate was taken from a plant in the collection of C. L. N. Ingram, Esq., Elstead, Godalming. 



