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ZYGOPETALUM MAXILLARE. 
(tooth-like flowered ZYGOPETALUM.) 
CLASS. ORDER. 
GYNANDRIA. MONANDRIA. 
NATURAL ORDER. 
ORCHIDEiE. 
Generic Character. — See vol. iii. p. .97. 
Specific Character. — Epiphyte. Leaves lanceolate, acuminate, smooth, about a foot in length. 
Scape arising from the base of the bulbs, smooth two-thirds the length of the leaves. Flowers 
racemose, of a beautiful blue, spotted irregularly with dark-brown spots, very handsome. Petals 
and Sepals ovate, oblong, acute. Labellum (lip) ohovate, very broad ; on the disk surrounding 
the column is a fleshy production resembling the lower jaw beset with teeth, which has suggested 
the name Maxillar, tooth-like appearance ; relating to the jaw-bone. 
All the species belonging to this genus are extreniely handsooie, and have 
always been favourites in the Orchideae house. The species Mackaii, already figured 
vol. iii. t. 97, is admired by all for its handsome flowers, peculiar for being large, 
and for having a very showy lip, which is of a light colour, very broad, and 
beautifully spotted with purple and blue. In some orchideous collections there 
are some very showy varieties of this species, differing more or less in the colouring 
of the flowers ; one in particular, called Mrs. Harrison's white variety, is quite re- 
markable for having a nearly white lip with few spots. 
Z, rostratum, although the least showy, is highly curious, and as it flowers 
frequently in the season, is always an object of great interest and beauty ; the 
flowers are large, and the lip pure white, except a few radiating lines delicately 
introduced near the base, which look very pretty. 
The species now represented has not such large flowers as those adverted to 
above, nevertheless it is unquestionably the most beautiful and interesting; the 
deep rich blue colour of the lip, and the bright green chocolate of the sepals, 
constitute it one of the most delightful objects that now adorn our stoves : it 
is also remarkable for the length of time the flowers continue perfect ; the plan 
