241 
AERIDES aUINQUEVULNERUM. 
(five-spotted floweked air-plant.) 
class, ordkr. 
GYNANDRIA. MONANDRIA. 
natural order. 
ORCHIDACE^. 
Generic Character. — Perianth spreading or closed. Sepals lateral, often oblique at the base, having 
a claw connate with the column. Labellum with a claw jointed to the column, saccate or spurred, 
three-lobed : lateral lobes short ; middle one cucullate, or awl-shaped, or shortly tumid, or partially 
arched. Column reclining on the ovary, short, winged. Anthers two-celled. Pollen-masses two, 
furrowed at the back ; caudicula broad or filiform ; gland peltate, subrotund. 
Specific Character. — Plant epiphytal. Leaves strap-shaped, rounded and obliquely emarginate, with 
a little projecting point, at the top. Racemes pendulous, many-flowered, longer than the leaves. 
Sepals and Petals thick, fleshy, whitish, speckled near the base, with a purplish stain at the extremi- 
ties. Labellum funnel-shaped ; lateral lobes erect, intermediate one oblong, inflexed, toothed ; 
spur conical, incurved, green. 
Of the genus Aerides few species are afc present known in this country, 
although it is said to comprise no less than twenty-six distinct kinds. Most of 
these, Dr. Lindley observes, inhabit the eastern parts of Asia, and sixteen belong 
to Java ; but very little information concerning the latter is possessed by British 
botanists. 
The lovely A. odoratum (sometimes called A. cornutum, from the curved, horn- 
like spur attached to its flower) is an object of desire to every grower of Orchidaceae, 
on account of the vigour of its habits, and the number, duration, delicate tints, and 
delightful odour of its blossoms. Specimens of this sort may be met with in most 
of the best collections. A. affine is a somewhat rarer, but scarcely less beautiful 
species, with longer racemes of smaller flowers, which are much blotched with pink. 
A. quinquevulnerum^ which is still scarcer, has only yet been figured in the 
Sertum Orchidaceum^ where it is remarked that " Mr. Hugh Cuming, who has 
been passing some time in the Philippines, and who has investigated the botany of 
those rich islands with zeal and industry, sent the plant to Messrs. Loddiges. It 
VOL. VIII. NO. xcv. I I 
