Flowered in the stove of our Botanic Garden in May 1824, 
from plants gathered in Nepaul, and sent by Dr Wallich. 
I had scarcely made the accompanying design, when specimens 
in blossom of the same species were communicated to me by 
Mr Shepherd, from the garden of Mr Joseph Cooper, 
near Liverpool. Plants had been sent both to Mr Cooper 
and to Mr Shepherd from Nepaul, by Dr Carey, the lat- 
ter having received it with the name of Cymbidium imbrica- 
tum. 
From the account which I gave of this highly curious pa- 
rasite to Mr LiNDLEY, he informed me that it probably be- 
longed to his MS. genus PMlodota, a name which I here 
adopt, and have drawn up characters to suit the plant, without 
having the advantage of Mr Lindley's distinguishing marks. 
The structure of the inflorescence is indeed very unlike that of 
any of the same family with which I am acquainted. 
The figure quoted in the Hortus Malabaricus, is so cha- 
racteristic, that I can feel no hesitation in referring it to this 
individual, so that its geographical range in India is pro- 
bably considerable. Its medical virtues are by Rheede, 
like those of most of his plants, greatly extolled : even the very 
roots, pounded and applied to the shaved head, are said to cure 
fevers. The same author avers, moreover, that it always par- 
takes of the same properties with the tree on which it is a pa- 
rasite. 
Fig. 1. Spike of young flowers. Fig, 2. Side view of a single flower. 
Fig. S. Front view of the same. Fig. 4. Column and lip. Fig. 5. Front 
view of the column. Fig. 6. Anther. Fig. 7. The same with the valves 
open. Fig. 8. Back view ; and, Fig. 9. Front view of the two double 
pollen-masses.—^// magnified. 
