26 
that this section is difficult to import alive, and several other fine things are at 
présent only known from dried specimens. 
The section Cyrtochilum , or Microchila , as Lindley called it, is distinguished 
from the remainder of the genus Oncidium by its comparatively small and very 
leathery lip. It is the most distinct and easily recognised section of the genus, 
but there are certain small-flowered species referred to Odontoglossum, which are 
only separated from it with difficulty, and I am not sure whether a careful révision 
of ail the species would not show the desirability of some rearrangement. 
Three marked subsections are recognised, auriculatae , exauritae , and cimi- 
ciferae , and it is the last-named one which may be said to almost merge imper- 
ceptibly into the section Myanthum of Odontoglossum. 
The subsection auriculatae is characterised by a pair of small auricles at the 
base of the claw of the sepals, those of the dorsal one being generally larger than 
of the others. It comprises the well-known O. macranthum , O. serratum , O. super¬ 
biens , O. lamelligerum , and several other cultivated forms, but probably half the 
species are as yet only known from wild specimens. 
The subsection exauritae , to which O. Leopoldianum belongs, has rather 
smaller flowers in which the auricles at the base of the sepals are wanting. Of the 
species known in cultivation are O. loxense , a remarkable and very beautiful plant, 
O. zebrinum , O. insculptum , and O. phylloglossum , but a greater number yet remain 
to be introduced. 
The last subsection, cimiciferae , consists of small-flowered species, which 
agréé with the preceding one in wanting the auricles at the base of the sepals. 
The species are not of much horticultural value, yet one at least must be excepted, 
namely O. murinum. I hâve seen a large branching panicle of this plant crowded 
with a multitude of bright yellow flowers, each with a purple column, whose 
beauty was undeniable. O. microchilum and O. saltabundum are also known in 
cultivation, while several others are known from dried specimens. 
R. A. Rolfe. 
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