COMPARETTIA ROSEA. 
(Rose-coloured flowered Compareitia.) 
Class. Order 
GYNANDRIA. MONANDRIA. 
Natural Order, 
ORCHIDACEiE. 
Generic Character. — Perianth ringent, the middle 
sepals and petals dwarf, free, subgaleate ; lateral ones 
connate into one spur. Labellum free, obcordate, claw- 
ed, spurred at the base ; but the spur hidden by the 
two inner sepals. Column free, erect, pointed. Pollen- 
masses two, foveate at the back, with a cuneate, rostrate 
caudicula. 
Specific Character.— Plant epiphytal. Leaves ses- 
sile. Racemes pendulous, loose, few- flowered. Flowers 
rose-coloured. Labellum furnished with plates, round- 
ish-oblong, with a short subulate spur. 
As our drawing represents the whole of this elegant little plant, with the block 
of wood on which it is growing, the inspector will be able to form a tolerably 
correct conception of its extreme gracefulness. It is one of those interesting objects 
which are occasionally met with, especially in the Orchidaceous tribe ; and which, 
while they do not dazzle us with their brilliancy, or powerfully arrest us by their 
showiness, yet exercise a considerable and pleasurable influence on the mind of the 
real admirer of nature, on account of their peculiar gracility, delicacy, and loveli- 
ness. And it admits of some question whether, in respect to a mind that is very 
finely strung to a perception of the beautiful, such comparatively small yet charm- 
ing productions are not more fertile in delight than the most superlative examples 
of the splendid and the gorgeous. 
Without attempting to decide this point, or risking an opinion where argument 
would be misplaced, we may state that the plant before us is most decidedly 
worthy of notice and culture as an object of beauty. For although it be diminu- 
tive in regard to size, there is a grace in its aspect, and its blossoms are of such a 
rich rosy tint, that, when in flower, it is a general source of attraction. It blooms, 
moreover, for a very long time ; as we have seen blossoms on Messrs. Loddiges'* 
plant for several of the summer months. 
It is a native of the Spanish Main, from whence it was obtained by Messrs. 
Loddiges of Hackney, with whom it has flowered for the last two years. The 
leaves are few, and quite sessile, and the racemes of flowers are drooping. They 
vol. x. — no. cix. B 
