CYMBIDIUM EBURNEUM. 
(Ivory Cymbid.) 
Class. Order. 
GYNANDRIA. MONANDRIA 
Natural Order. 
ORCHIDACE^. 
(Orchids, Veg, King.) 
Generic Character.— Perianth coloured. Sepals 
and petals nearly equal, free. Lip sessile, free, with- 
out a spur, eoncave, sometimes articulated with the 
base of the column, sometimes slightly connate, undi- 
vided, or three-lobed. Column erect, semi-cylindrical. 
Anthers two-celled. Pollen-masses two, often two- 
lobed at the back. 
Specific Character. — Plant an epiphyte. Leaves 
ensiform, narrow, rigid, terminating obliquely with 
two acute lobes. Racemes two-flowered, decumbent, 
clothed with long acute scales. Sepals oblong-lanceo- 
late, fleshy, waved at the edges, acute. Labellum 
three-lobed, with a long yellow stripe extending from 
the base along the middle to nearly the tip ; middle 
lobe triangular, curled ; two lateral lobes rounded. 
This fine species of Cymbidium is a native of the East Indies, from whence 
it was imported by Messrs. Loddiges of Hackney, in whose nursery it flowered in 
May, 1848, when our drawing was prepared. 
How admirable are all the works of the great Creator ! and how much we may 
find to admire even in the peculiar forms, ex(][uisite fragrance, and rich colours of 
the flowers of Orchids ; yet how small a portion of the vast creation do these 
singular plants comprise — merely one link in the great chain of the vegetable 
world. Thirty years ago, hundreds of the beautiful forms which now adorn our 
orchid-houses, were to Europeans utterly unknown ; and even at a much later day, 
the existence of many was considered problematical, and the reports of travellers 
either mistakes or exaggerated, to excite wonder ; but time and perseverance have 
torn down the veil, indefatigable botanists have explored the wilds of India, and 
splendid species whose flowers exhibit almost every variety of form, colour, and 
perfume, have been discovered and described ; and successive collectors still con- 
tinue to add brilliant gems to our already extensive stock, amongst which the 
subject of our present plate, although less conspicuous than some others, holds by 
no means an unimportant position. 
The flowers are large, of a pure and delicate white, with the exception of the 
yellow stripe on the lip, and being fleshy and shining resemble ivory, whence the 
specific name. They also emit a powerful and very pleasant fragrance. The 
species approaches most nearly in habit to C. Master sii, and like that species, and 
VOL. XV. XO. CLXXV. 
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