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GONGORA ATRO-PURPUREA. 
Dark-flowered Gongara, 
GYNANDRIA MONANDRIA—Nat. Ord. ORCHIDEm. 
Gen. Char. — Petala 3 exteriora patentissima lanceolata subuniformia, su- 
periore dorso columnae inserto, duobus interioribus parvis ad marginem 
columnae insertis decurrentibus. Lahellum vomeriforme subpedicella- 
tum basi superne dentatum, inferne gibbosum. Columna longissima. 
Gongora atro-purpurea ; petalorum trium exteriorura marginibus re- 
flexis, labello superne subseptemdentato. 
From an oblong and cylindrical, deeply sulcated, fleshy, bulbiform steniy 
there spring at the extremity two rather large, ovato-lanceolate, striated, 
and subplicated leaises, waved at the margin, and tapering at the base. 
Scape 2 feet in length, arising, I presume, from the base of the bulb, zig- 
zag, slender, glabrous, terete, dark purple. Bractece minute, at the base 
of each flower. 
The whole flower is of a deep purple-brown or chocolate colour. The 
three outer petals, an inch in length, are much spreading, lanceolate ; 
the upper one springing from the back of the column, rather the small- 
est, the two lateral ones with a large tooth-like process at the base of 
the upper margin ; all the margins revolute. Two inner petals very 
small, incurved, with an acuminated and twisted apex, fixed by its de- 
current base to the margin of the column, near the base of the superior 
and outer petals, and at some distance from the two lowermost outer 
ones. Lip of so curious a form as to be more easily represented in the 
figure than to be described in words. It is nearly an inch long, stand- 
ing out at right angles from the flower ; having a cylindrical peduncle 
or stalk at the base, at the apex of which are four large curved horns 
or tooth-like processes, two obtuse, and two aciuninated ; there is an 
aperture within the base of each of the latter, and between them two 
small upright teeth. The extremity of the labellum is a laterally com- 
pressed, and consequently vertical plate, double at the upper edge, and 
sharp, obtuse at the lower edge, and gibbous at its base, acuminate at 
the extremity. Germen 2-3 inches in length, curved, pedunculiform, 
not twisted. Column very long, semi-cylindrical, broadest upwards, 
and bearing upon its back and sides the three upper petals. Anlher ter- 
minal, operculiform, deciduous, with two obscure cells, and containing 
VOL. III. 
