[Plate 25.] 



THE CERVANTES ODONTOGLOT. 



(ODONTOGLOSSUM CERVANTESII.) 



A Greenhouse Orchid, from Mexico. 



Specific Character. 



THE CERVANTES ODONTOGLOT.— Pseudo-bulbs ovate, angular. Leaves solitary, oblong, narrowed into a 

 channelled footstalk. Scape few-flowered. Bracts and sheaths membranous, acute, equitant, long. Sepals 

 membranous, oblong-lanceolate, acute. Petals broader, somewhat unguiculate. Lip slightly cordate, ovate, acute, 

 with a fleshy cup-shaped downy stalk, having in front a double tooth, and in advance of that a pair of lung hairy 

 processes. Column downy, with rounded ears. 



Odontoglossum Cervantesii, La Llave and Lexarza, Orch. Mex. 2, 34 ; Botanical Register, 1845, t. 30. 



THERE is probably not a group of Orchids the species of which are more generally 

 beautiful than the white-lipped Odontoglots, of which this is one. They all agree 

 in having the same habit, the same large, semi-transparent flowers, the same long mem- 

 branous bracts, and the same delicacy of tint, varied by blotches of deep purple, or brown,, 

 or cinnamon. 



Its natural locality is among the mountains in the west of Mexico, whence we believe 

 it was first brought by the late Mr. Barker's collector. In general it has a pale tinge of 

 pink ; when wild it is said to be snow-white ; but in the state now represented it has 

 gained a very distinct rose-colour, which greatly augmented its beauty. 



- In many respects it is nearly related to the membranous Odontoglot (0. membranacenm) , 

 from which it differs in the following particulars : its flowers are more pink, and rather 

 smaller, and the lip is by no means spotted at the base ; its petals are much more acute ; 

 its Hp is very slightly heart-shaped, and quite acute at the point ; the two front teeth of 

 the lip are very much longer and more hairy ; and the concavity at the base of the lip has 

 a much larger central tubercle. 



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