Plate 89. 
• TACSONIA INSIGNIS. 
All who are acquainted with the singular heauty of Tacsonia Van Volxemi will think it 
difficult to find a plant of the same family that can rival, much less surpass it. But some 
persons who have seen that which we now figure consider it equally beautiful with the older 
species. This opinion is shared by Dr. Masters, the able editor of the Gardener's Chronicle, 
in which periodical a woodcut by our artist, Mr. W. Gr. Smith, appeared in the month of 
August last. Dr. Masters says : — “ Our specimens were forwarded to us by Mr. Anderson, 
the gardener at Soweby House, Hull, who informs us that the plant was raised by him from 
seeds sent from South America (probably Peru, exact locality not known) by Mr. Yarborough 
Grseme, some years since. Mr. Anderson says that it is very free-flowering, exceeding in 
this respect even T. Van Volxemi. 
“ It is clear then that we have here a novelty of unusual interest. We say a novelty, 
because neither in books nor herbaria do we find any species to which it can be referred ; 
and as we have had recently occasion to study the whole order of Passion Flowers, we can 
hardly be mistaken in asserting it to be hitherto undescribed.” 
A reference to our illustration will show that the plant has large flowers nearly 
six inches across, of a violet-rose tint ; but the tints soon alter after the flower is gathered. 
The mouth of the flower has a fringe of short filaments of blue mottled with white, the 
leaves of the plant are large and handsome, and we can, in fact, speak of it in the very 
highest terms. It was accorded a first-class certificate by the Eoyal Horticultural Society, 
and has passed, we believe, into the hands of Messrs. Backhouse and Son, of York, by whom 
it will be sent out next year. 
Plate 90. 
ODONTOGLOSSUM ROEZLII. 
Orchid growers must be a discontented race if they are not satisfied now. Hardly had 
the beauties of Odontoglossum vexillarium burst upon them, than they are called upon to 
admire this new species, which was exhibited by Mr. Bull, of King’s Eoad, Chelsea, adding 
another to the many grand plants of which he has been the introducer. We cannot do better 
than give the words of Professor Eeichenbach fls : — “ A first-class beauty, standing very near 
0. vexillarium, and yet apparently quite distinct ; the leaves are very different, very narrow, 
and have nine deep green lines underneath on the chief nerves. The flower is much like 
that of 0. vexillarium, but technically different in the keels at the base of the lip ; they are, 
too, spread in an uneven manner, having no sepals rolled backwards ; the colour is admirable, 
milk-white, the petals dark purplish at the base, and the back of the lip yellow, with some 
brown streaks.” 
“ I was happy enough to see this highly curious novelty a few days since in the col- 
lection of Mr. Bull. Though not yet established fully, it proves itself a fine flower, showing 
two spikes ; when established the plant may have them four- or six-flowered. Can it be a mule 
between 0. vexillarium and 0. Phalcenopsis ?” 
The illustration by our artist, taken by the kind permission of Mr. Bull from the plant 
above alluded to, gives an admirable idea of its beauty. 
