7 



BARKERIA ELEGANS. 



(Elegant Barker ia.) 

 LINNEAN SYSTEM. NATURAL ORDER. 



GYNANDRIA MONANDR1A. ORCHID ACE JE» § EPIDENDRE^E. — ( Lxiidl. Nat. Syst. Bot.) 



GENERIC CHARACTER. 



Barkeria. Sepala patentia vel reflexa, basi subconnata. Petala subaequalia vel paulo latiora. 

 Ldhellum liberum, cum columna parallelum, limbo indiviso, disco costato. Columna elongata, 

 plana vel compressa, sulcata, alata, super labellum incumbens. Anthera carnosa, 4 locularis, 

 septorum marginibus membranaceis. Pollinia 4, caudiculis totidem ligulatis reflexis, per 

 paria subconnatis. — Herba epiphyta Mexicana pseudobulbosa, foliis alternatis vaginantibus sub- 

 carnosis, scapo terminali, racemoso. 



Sepals spreading or reflexed, somewhat connate at the base. Petals somewhat equal, or a 

 little broader. Lip free, parallel with the column, its limb undivided, its disc ribbed. Column 

 elongated, fiat or compressed, fun-owed, winged, resting upon the lip. Anther fleshy, 4-celled, 

 the margins of the divisions membranaceous. Pollen-masses 4, with as many strap-shaped 

 reflexed caudiculse, somewhat united in pairs. — A Mexican pseudobulbous epiphyte, with alternate 

 sheathing, somewhat fleshy leaves, and a terminal racemose scape. 



Descr. — Pseudobulbs long, slender, spindle-shaped, covered with the sheathing bases of 

 former leaves ; leaves alternate, lanceolate, keeled. Scape from twelve to eighteen inches high, 

 slender, terete, clothed with sheathing, closely appressed, acuminated bracteas. Flowers cernu- 

 ous, arranged in a loose raceme. Sepals oblong-lanceolate, the upper one somewhat arched, the 

 lateral ones remarkably retroflected so as to present to the view their posterior surface ; petals 

 somewhat broader, spreading horizontally, which, as well as the sepals, are of the most delicate 

 lilac colour. Lip oblong, somewhat deflexed in its anterior portion, slightly apiculate at the 

 apex, and elegantly marked with crimson. Column compressed, yellow and furrowed in front, 

 resting closely upon the lip ; its posterior surface (which from the pendulous position of the 

 flower is apparently the front view) is beautifully marked with crimson spots, two of which 

 being larger than the rest, and placed like eyes near its apex, give it no slight resemblance to 

 the head of some animal. Pollen-masses collateral, flattened on one edge, and somewhat rounded 

 on the other. 



For the opportunity of figuring this truly elegant plant, we are indebted to 

 George Barker, Esq. of Springfield, by whom it has been imported, and in whose 

 stove it has recently flowered for the first time in this kingdom. It is with great 

 pleasure, therefore, that we name it in compliment to that gentleman, whose zeal 



