0D0NT0GLOSSUM CORDATUM. 
(Cordate-lipped Tooth-Tongue.) 
Class. Order. 
GYNANDRIA. MONANDRIA. 
Natural Order. 
ORCHIDACEiE. 
Generic Character. — Perianth showy, equal ; sepals 
and petals narrow, acuminate, free. LabeMum undi- 
vided, destitute of a spur, furnished with a short claw, 
which is continuous with the base of the column, 
having a crested spreading plate at the base. Column 
erect, membranous at the margin, winged on each 
side of the apex. Anthers two-celled. Pollen-masses 
two, solid, with a linear caudicle, and a crooked gland. 
Specific Character.— Plant an epiphyte. Pseudo- 
bulbs oblong, compressed, two-leaved. Leaves broadly 
oblong, smooth, acute. Scape scaly, short, spreading. 
Racemes distichous. Bracts ovate, acuminate, mem- 
branaceous. Sepals and petals linear-lanceolate, very 
acuminate. Labellum cordate, acuminate, entire, tvvo- 
lobed at the summit. 
The species now presented belongs to the third " Xanthochilum, stained lip " 
section of Dr. Lindley's arrangement of the genus in the " Botanical Register " for 
last year. In the section, "the species with a three-lobed lip comes first, and then 
those which have an entire lip are stationed in the following order : viz., such as 
have obtuse sepals and petals ; then such as have them acute ; and last come the 
species with very much acuminated sepals and petals." Our subject belongs to 
those characterised by the last features ; further, and indeed we need not have 
pointed to this, of its specific difference or general character, our plate saves us the 
trouble of writing. 
Modern botanical publications do not contain a figure of this fine plant : the 
volume for 1838, of the work previously quoted, first speaks of it as being then, the 
first time, flowered by George Barker, Esq,, of Birmingham, who imported it from 
Mexico, where it is a native. The drawing for the accompanying plate, through the 
favour of our usual permission, was prepared from a specimen in the collection, so 
famous for the superior manner in which it is cultivated, of S. Rucker, Esq., of 
Wandsworth, which flowered in January last. 
There is an idea, a too general one, respecting this very interesting tribe, that a 
great degree of heat, and a proportionate amount of moisture is indispensable to the 
welfare of all its members ; it is true of many, that such is essential to their welfare, 
but it is not at all required to the extent commonly understood. A very small 
plant of 0. cordatum, received by us some time ago, was secured to the rhizoma of 
a Fern, and placed in a situation where it was as cool and as much exposed to 
