L/ELIA MAJALIS. 
(The May-flower Lselia.) 
Cla^s. Or, Ur. 
GYNANDRIA. BIONANDRIA. 
Natural Order. 
ORCHIDACE^. 
Generic Character.— explanate, lanceolate, 
equal. Petals larger, slightly dissimilar in form. 
Labellum three-parted, lamellate, overvvrapping the 
column. Column wingless, fleshy, front surface chan- 
nelled. Anthers eight-celled. Pollen-masses eight. 
Caudiculce four, elastic. 
Specific Character.— PZant an epiphyte. Pseudo- 
bulbs ovate, or spherical, faintly wrinkled ; when 
young, clothed with whitish membranous scales. Leaves 
oblong, acute, thick, shorter than the scape. Scape 
from six inches to a foot long, nodding, round. Sepals 
lanceolate, acute. Petals more than thrice the width, 
oblong-lanceolate, waved at the margins, and bent 
backward. Lip three-lobed ; lateral lobes leaning 
against tlie sides of the column which they almost 
encircle, rounded at the extremities, where they spread 
open ; intermediate lobe much larger than the others, 
deeply emarginate, uuguiculate, and slightly notched 
on the margin. Column shorter than the lateral lobes 
of the lip. 
Synonyme. — Cattleya Grahami. 
From the figures already published of this charming species, the plant which 
supplied the subject for our representation appears to differ in having very much 
larger flowers ; but whether this is a property naturally inlierent in it, or merely 
produced by some peculiarity in its treatment, we are unable to say. The pen- 
cillings of the lip are also more numerous, whilst in the others dots predominate. 
It flowered in the nursery of Messrs. Loddiges last May, when our artist took tlie 
accompanying delineation. 
Mr. Bateman, in his admirable work on the Orchidaceae of Guatemala, repre- 
sents it as producing three or four flowers on a scape ; but hitherto none of the 
specimens flowered in England, have emitted more than a solitary flower on each 
stalk. 
The same work also informs us, that it is abundant in the more temperate 
parts of Mexico, and is much esteemed by the natives for the consummate beauty 
and elegance of its blossoms. Amongst them it is known by the familiar appellation 
of “ Flor de Mayo,” the signification of which has been preserved in the specific 
title. The first specimens received in England were transmitted by Dr. Schiede, 
and liberally distributed by Professor Schlechtendahl. Subsequently it was 
gathered in Oaxaco by Mr Ross, and forwarded to Mr. Barker ; and large quan- 
tities collected more recently by Mr, Hartweg, in very elevated districts, in San 
VOL. XII. NO. CXXXIII. B 
