December SO, 1880. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 593 
the supply can be considerably reduced, though sufficient must 
always be given to preserve the handsome evergreen plaited leaves 
in good condition. Several of the species, notably Z. Mackaii and 
Z. maxillare, do not require a house specially devoted to Orchids, 
as they thrive in a plant stove or even in a vinery, the former 
plant being the better adapted of the two for such houses. The 
following brief descriptions will indicate the principal characters 
of the most beautiful species :—■ 
Z. Mackaii .—Probably the most useful of the genus, and not 
inferior to any in attractiveness. For flowering at this time of 
year and in the winter months generally it cannot be surpassed, 
the long spikes of fragrant flowers being very freely produced, and 
continuing in good condition for a long period. The accompany¬ 
ing engraving (fig. 106) well represents a single flower of the usual 
size, which was taken from a plant last week. The ground colour 
of the sepals and petals is a greenish tint, which is blotched and 
barred with a rich shade of chocolate; but the lip is the most 
striking portion of the flower, being beautifully streaked and 
marbled with bright bluish purple on a white ground—a most dis- 
Fig. 107.—Zygopetalum maxillare. 
tinct and effective contrast. The species is also interesting as the 
one that was first known, and upon which the genus was founded. 
It is a native of Brazil, whence it was obtained by Mr. Mackay of 
the Dublin College Botanic Garden, who forwarded a flowering 
specimen to Sir W. Hooker in 1827, from which the generic 
diagnosis and an admirable coloured plate were prepared for the 
“ Botanical Magazine.” 
Z. maxillare .—Another very handsome species, which flowers at 
different times of the year, but generally during autumn. The 
flowers are borne on spikes, but not so long or erect as in Z. Mackaii, 
but they are equally as durable as those of that species. The sepals 
and petals are of a greenish hue with chocolate markings, especi¬ 
ally near the base ; the lip, however, is again the most striking 
portion of the flower, though it is very different in form from that 
previously described. It is a rich blue in colour, and is at the 
base peculiarly raised and ridged, so as to bear some resemblance 
to the lower jaw of an animal, and to this circumstance it owes 
its specific name. Fig. 107 shows the character fairly. The plant 
is a native of the Organ Mountains, Brazil, where it is said to 
grow solely on the stems of Tree Ferns, but it does not require 
epiphytal treatment in this country. It has been in cultivation 
about fifty years. 
Z. Sedeni .—Following the two best-known species I may give 
some description of this beautiful hybrid. It originated a few 
Fig. 108.—Zygopetalum brachypetalum. 
years ago at Messrs. Yeitch’s nursery, Chelsea, and was the result 
of a cross between Z. Mackaii and Z. maxillare, forming, I believe, 
the first hybrid obtained in the genus. It possesses some charac¬ 
ters of each parent, being as free in growth and flowering, but 
Fig. 109.—Zygopetalum cochleare. 
rather dwarfer in habit. The flowers are large ; the lip being 
particularly broad, and of a rich purple colour most beautifully 
mottled with a lighter tint. 
Z. Clayi .—This I have not seen, but it has been described as a 
hybrid of similar parentage to the one last named, and is said to 
have been raised by Lieut.-Col. Clay of Birkenhead. An experi¬ 
enced Orchid-grower, however, informs me that it is only a variety 
of Z. maxillare. It appears to be of stronger growth than that 
species, and has spikes bearing about half a dozen flowers each, 
with brown-marked sepals and petals and rich purple lips. 
Z. hr achy petahm .— A species well worth more attention than 
