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ONCIDIUM LANCEANUM. 
(MR. LANCE'S ONCIDIUM.) 
CLASS. ORDER. 
GYNANDRIA. MONANDRIA. 
NATURAL ORDER. 
ORCHIDEJE. 
"Generic Character See Vol. IV., page 77. 
Specific Character Epiphyte. Leaves fleshy, oblong, acuminate ; greenish, irregularly marked on 
both sides with dark spots ; in addition to which are more faintly seen pale longitudinal streaks 
interrupted by little spots of the same colour. Scape stiff, arising from the base of the inside of 
the leaf, twelve to sixteen inches in length. Flowers, racemose. Sepals fleshy, oblong, obtuse, 
the margins undulated, the middle a bright yellow, irregularly blotched with crimson, combining 
near the base. Petals similar to the sepals. Lip, a bright rich violet, the lobe or lower half 
somewhat darker, lengthened at the base on each side into an angular tooth ; in the ceutre of the 
base are situated three tubercles, these terminate a ridge near the column which graduates down- 
wards until it finally disappears at the terminating extremity ; a little above the base it is narrow, 
when it breaks out again into a thin pale blunt extremity. The column on each side has an oblique 
rounded appendage, and is surmounted by a crimson anther. 
This charming epiphyte combines in its blossoms a good portion of the richness 
and beauty of some species of Cattleya, along with the handsome yellow or brown 
markings of many of the extensive genus Oncidium. In the lip we have equalled the 
exquisite richnessand delicacy of the petals of Cattleyalabiata, while the sepals possess, 
in their pretty blotchings of brown and yellow, the beauty of O. crispum, luridum, 
&c. Added to these, it diffuses a most delightful fragrance, which Dr. Lindley 
resembles to the spicy odours of that sweetest of all flowers JErides comutum. 
For its introduction we are wholly indebted to the liberality of John Henry 
Lance, Esq., who in 1834 brought plants from Surinam, which he presented to the 
London Horticultural Society, in whose collection of Epiphytes its handsome 
blossoms we're shortly after produced. It has since flowered most splendidly in 
the rich collection of Earl Fitzwilliam, at Wentworth, Loddige's, Rollison's, 
Knight's, &c. The plant from which our drawing was taken, was grown by 
Messrs. Rollison, at Tooting, and is described by Lindley as the most splendid 
specimen he had seen. 
It is by no means difficult to cultivate, as it thrives well in the Orchidea house 
VOL. IV.-— NOc XLIV. Z 
