134 
CYRTOPODIUM PUNCTATUM. 
attained. These stems composed the centre of the plant, but were almost hidden 
by the luxuriant large leaf-bearing ones. Without these latter, from their base, 
and immediately under shelter of their foliage, describing a still larger circle, rose 
the inflorescence, three to four feet high ; its form was a branching panicle, sup- 
ported on the upper part of a strong stem ; its figure an irregular triangle whose 
sides were about eighteen inches. The flowers, individually, are naturally smaller 
than it may be imagined such a plant would produce, and their colour, though not 
of a bright nature, was gay ; the sepals and petals having a yellowish-green ground, 
spotted with brownish-crimson. The lip formed a miniature representation of that 
oiOncidium papilio. The whole of the several portions of vegetation described, grew 
from a centre not more than a foot in diameter, occupying a tub about two foot 
across, and thirty inches to three feet deep. The plant growing naturally in the order 
stated, and having no more support, arrangement, or training, than was necessary 
to prevent injury to the inflorescence, which from the innumerable quantity of blos- 
soms, the luxurious manner the short ramifications of the panicle which bore them 
clustered together, the light colours, aided by large bracts similarly marked, and the 
healthy foliage, constituted a most superb specimen. The young annual growth, had 
arisen nearly to the same height as the flower stems, and was strong and promising. 
The fineness of the plant of which we write, was due in a greater measure to 
superior cultivation than may be imagined ; for instance, fancy the fine foliage which 
principally gave it so noble an aspect not to have been present, to have been dead 
or partially so, the plant would have been immeasurably less fine in appearance. 
Now, under ordinary cultivation, the leaves of Cyrtopodiums and the present species 
also, begin to decay as soon as the pseudo-bulbs are perfected. Hence, except when 
flowering, they are usually uninteresting, if not unsightly objects. 
The plant in question is the property of Sir George Staunton, Leigh Park, 
Havant. Mr. Scott, that gentleman's gardener, under whose skilful management 
it was brought to the state of perfection it exhibited, informs us that it was especially 
treated with a view to prevent its losing its foliage, and which was effected by not 
suffering it to get too dry, or completely rest a long period in winter. It was, Mr. 
S. acquainted us, purchased five years ago at the Messrs. Loddiges' establishment, a 
small plant, and that it has been kept in a moist stove, the temperature of which, 
in summer, ranged from 80 to 90 degrees, and in winter from 60 to 65 degrees, 
that the soil it has been grown in is sandy, turfy peat, used in a rough state, mixed 
with sphagnum moss. 
The genus Cyrtopodium, according to the Messrs. Loddiges 1 Catalogue, is rather 
extensive ; though few species are yet described. They are chiefly natives of Africa, 
and South America. Our present subject is of rather modern introduction, and is a 
native of Brazil. Those already known are not strikingly distinct from each other. 
The great interest with which our plant was regarded, and the admiration it 
drew forth at the meeting it was exhibited at, is a proof of the tendency such subjects 
have to give a zest to the increasing taste for Horticultural pursuits, and drawing 
