88 



GOVENIA LILIACEA. 



yellow at the base. Column arcuate, convex posteriorly, deep-excavated in front, margined 

 throughout its whole length, but broadly so at the apex. Pollen-masses four, incumbent, of 

 which the two posterior are the smallest. 



This rare and elegant species of Govenia is in the collection of George 

 Barker, Esq., of Springfield, by whom it was imported. It flowered last year 

 for the first time in this country, and was figured by Professor Lindley in the 

 Botanical Register in March last ; but the plants having scarcely recovered 

 from the effects of transplanting, had by no means that appearance of vigour and 

 beauty which they presented this season. The flower-stems last year barely 

 exceeded a foot in height, while this year they were upwards of two feet long ; 

 and one of them was more than two feet and a half, with a more than ordinary 

 number of flowers. 



It differs from G. superba (figured in vol. i. pi. 47,) . in several particulars. 

 The labellum of the present species is ovate, keeled, and hooded at the extreme 

 base ; in the former it is cordate, and channelled along the middle. The column 

 too, which in the original species is terete, is in the present one deeply excavated 

 in front, affording an instance of the difficulty of framing a generic character 

 from a single species. 



It is a native of Valladolid in Mexico, where it flowers in the summer months, 

 and is known by the vernacular name of Azuzena del Monte. 



It has very much the habit of Bletia, and will require similar treatment ; 

 namely, the protection of a humid stove when growing, but must be kept more 

 cool and dry when in the dormant state. It should be potted in light sandy 

 peat, with abundance of drainers in the bottom of the pot. 



Fig. 1, Posterior view of the pollen-masses and caudicula ; 2, anterior do ; 

 3, anther-case ; 4, the germ at right angles with the column ; the lip reflexed, to 

 show its articulation with the base of the column. 



