LMLIA SUPERBIENS. 
(Stately LseHa.) 
Class. OriUr. 
GYNANDRIA. MONANDRIA. 
Natural Order. 
ORCHIDACE^. 
Generic Chahact&r.— Sepals explanate, lanceolate, 
equal. Petals larger, slightly dissimilar. Labellum 
three-parted, lamellate, wrapping over the column. 
Column winged, fleshy, front surface channelled. 
Anthers eight-celled. Pollen-masses eight. Caudi- 
cutce four, elastic. — Lindley. 
Specific Character — Plant an epiphyte. Pseudo- 
bulbs elongated, swollen in the centre, channelled, 
slightly compressed. Leaves rigid, shining, sharp- 
pointed, about the length of pseudo-bulbs. Scape 
erect, very thick and strong. Bracts ventricose, acute, 
sheathing the scape. Flowers numerous at the extre- 
mity of the scape. Sepals linear-oblong. Petals ob- 
tuse, broader than the sepals. Lip three-lobed, shorter 
than petals. Column arched. Anthers finniahed. with 
a two-eared crest. Clinandriu7n with indented edges. 
The admirers of Orchidacess have to thank the Horticultural Society of 
London for many of the most splendid plants of the tribe which they possess, and 
especially among those of South American origin. The beautiful family of 
Cattleya^ and its kindred genus LwUa.^ have been greatly augmented by the 
industry and zeal of their collector, Mr. Hartweg, who gathered and sent over to 
the Society a great number of species, and amongst them the present. As it was 
forwarded in considerable quantity, it has found its way into many collections. 
Mr. Skinner has also the merit of having introduced it very extensively. 
Till the present season, however, its flowers have only been known in this 
country through dried specimens, and the plates given in Mr. Bateman's superb 
work on Guatemalan Orchidaceas. About the latter end of February last, how- 
ever, a fine specimen grown by Mr. Brewster, gardener to Mrs. "Wray, of Oakfield, 
near Cheltenham, was exhibited at the rooms of the Horticultural Society, and 
from which we were kindly permitted to prepare the accompanying coloured figure. 
Another specimen, but less perfect, has since flowered in the Society's gardens. 
We learn from Mr. Bateman's work, just alluded to, that it is found growing 
out of the crevices of the rocks in the cooler districts of Guatemala, chiefly in 
places which are sheltered from the keenness of the northern winds. In such 
situations, the pseudo-bulbs sometimes grow twenty-two inches high, and have 
flower-scapes four yards long, crowned with upwards of twenty flowers. This 
immense size, however, is far from being common ; and when the plants are not 
protected on the north side, they are very small, and have an imperfect stunted 
VOL. XI. NO. cxxv. o 
