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MILTONIA SPECTABILIS. 
severely suffering from improper treatment, but has a golden tint, too obviously 
natural to be otherwise than attractive. 
What, however, is lacking in the general garb of the plant, is fully supplied in 
the splendour of its flowers. The delicacy of the sepals and petals is in itself 
interesting; and when so richly relieved by the extraordinary size and bright 
purple and yellow of the lip, it becomes additionally engaging. The stately solita- 
riness of the blossoms is further instrumental in creating an agreeable effect. 
The species was imported from Brazil, by Messrs. Loddiges, in 1835, and 
after blooming with these gentlemen in 1838, it blossomed in several other 
gardens. Its comparative rarity must still be lamented, for it is yet in only the 
larger garden-establishments of Britain. 
The cultivation of Miltonias is exceedingly like that of Oncidia. From 
all that we can gather respecting its preferences, the present plant delights in 
a moderately high temperature, and a humid atmosphere, which latter should 
be reversed to aridity while its subject is torpid. Although it need not be stinted 
for pot-room, it must not be placed in too large a receptacle, nor watered too copi- 
ously at the roots. Planted in a shallow pot, filled to within two inches of 
the surface with drainage materials, and the remaining space occupied with frag- 
ments of heath soil and potsherds, it will attain its utmost perfection. Perhaps it 
would succeed equally well on a block of wood. 
" Miltonia differs from Oncidium" says Dr. Lindley, " in its lip being slightly 
connected with the column, much dilated, and undi vided ; and from Odontoglossum, 
Brassia^ and Cyrtochilum^ in its column being auricled, and its lip not only much 
larger than the sepals, but also altogether different in form." 
The generic title has been chosen to commemorate the patronage bestowed on 
Natural Science by Earl Fitzwilliam, a nobleman whose well-known support of 
Horticulture, and enthusiastic love of Orchidacese, are deserving of the highest 
honour ; and whose family-name we are happ)^ to see immortalized by so signally 
meritorious a genus. 
