121 
DENDROBIUM AMPLUM. 
(ample dendrobium.) 
class. order. 
GYNANDRTA. MONANDRIA. 
NATURAL ORDER. 
ORCHIDACEiE. 
Generic Character. — Vide Vol. iii. p. 77. 
Specific Character. — Rhizoma creeping, scaly. Pseudo-pulbs ovate, scaly, bearing two leaves. Leaves 
ovately-oblong, emarginate, petiolate. Flowers, solitary, long-stalked, axillary, proceeding from the 
midst of two oblong petal-like bracts, yellowish-purple, spotted within. Sepals ovate, acuminate, 
obtuse ; petals narrower. Labellum articulated with the base of the column, three-lobed, middle one 
falcated, ovate, crenulated, acute, dark brownish -purple ; lateral ones abbreviated, rounded ; plates of 
the central lobe three, of which the intermediate one is shortened. Ovary almost three nails long, 
with a solitary ovate bract at its base. 
In remarking upon the numerous species of Dendrobium of which we have fur- 
nished figures, it has been shown that the genus comprises plants which, for con- 
venience, may be very naturally divided into three distinct groups. Retaining this 
classification, our acquaintance with the species at present calling for consideration 
compels us to add another division, which, while it in some degree approximates to 
the pseudo-bulbous class including D. aggregatum, Jenkinsii, and others, differs in 
having an ascending rhizoma, the pseudo-bulbs of which are very remote, and indi- 
vidually protrude for themselves a number of roots, capable of acquiring sustenance 
by the absorption of aerial elements. 
D. amplum is, as will be seen by our plate, a very singular species ; so singular, 
indeed, as to occasion some doubts regarding its actual affinity to the more familiar 
forms of its congeners. On this point, Dr. Lindley, than whom no one is better 
versed in these matters, speaks of its near assimilation to the genus Bolbophyllmn 
in habit, but states that it can by no means be associated therewith, while the 
established characters of the latter are maintained. Beyond the peculiarity of its 
appearance, which is of no importance with respect to its generic relation, and 
would never be regarded by botanists, the tip of its curious solitary flowers 
'VOL. VII. NO. LXXVIII. R 
