L/ELIA ACUMINATA. 
(Acuminated-lipped Leelia.) 
Class. 
YNANDRIA. 
Order. 
MONANDRIA. 
Natural Order. 
ORCHIDACEJ5. 
Generic Character. — Sepals lanceolate, equal. Pe- 
tals larger, somewhat dissimilar, fleshy. Labellum 
three-parted, folding over the column. Column winged, 
fleshy, channelled in the front. Pollen-masses eight, 
with four elastic caudiculas. 
Specific Character. — Plant epiphytal. Pseudo-bulbs 
ovate, compressed, rugose. Leaves solitary, emarginate. 
Scape erect, many-flowered. Flowers corymbose. 
Bracts linear, acuminate. Sepals linear. Petals lan- 
ceolate, undulated, acuminated. Labellum with the 
lateral lobes roundish, middle one lanceolate, undu- 
lated, acuminate. 
The various species of Laelia are, perhaps, among the most interesting of all 
epiphytal Orchidacese to the general cultivator, because they afford such an excellent 
and characteristic example of the order, by growing best on logs of wood, and also 
on account of their requiring a less temperature than many others of the tribe, 
particularly in winter; while the elegant disposition and extreme loveliness of 
their flowers make them scarcely inferior to any in point of beauty. Many of 
them have likewise lately been introduced in such considerable numbers, that the 
ingenious culturist will easily be able to fasten together a quantity of small 
specimens on one block, so as to produce a large and magnificent mass. 
The plant now figured, and which ranks among the most delightful members 
of the genus, was found by Mr. Hartweg, the very active collector to the Horti- 
cultural Society, at a place called Retatulen, in Guatemala. It grows there on 
the trunk of the Calabash-tree, (Crescentia cujete,) on which Orchidaceae are very 
frequently met with. It is said to form a fine corymb of eight flowers, and to be 
so exceedingly beautiful that the Guatemalese give it the name of " Florde Jesus." 
Last year, however, it was procured more abundantly by G. U. Skinner, Esq., 
and sold, among other things, at a public auction in London. 
The pseudo-bulbs are produced regularly and alternately, as well as with great 
closeness, on the rachis, and are readily known by being a good deal flattened and 
wrinkled. The flowers are borne in an erect scape, and when the plant is weakly, 
there is seldom more than two or three blossoms on each stalk. But stronger 
specimens bear several blooms. These are of a very delicate blush tint, with the 
vol. x. — NO. cxi. H 
