PL. CCLXXII. 
PHALAENOPSIS LOWII RCHB. F. 
Mr. H. LOW’S PHALAENOPSIS. 
PHALAENOPSIS. Perigonii explanati patentis foliola exteriora libéra aequalia, interiora multo majora. 
Labellum gynostematis pede parum producto continuum, liberüm, basi callosum, trilobum, lobis lateralibus recur- 
vato-ascendentibus, intermedio angustiore, bicirrhoso. Gynostema in ovarium recumbens, semiteres, rostello gladiato. 
Anthera bilocularis. Pollinia duo subglobosa, caudicula plana, spathulata, glandula maxima cordata. 
Phalaenopsis Blume, Bijdr., p. 294, t. 44. 
Phalcienopsis Lowii, radice crasse fibrosa, foliis paucis oblongis acutis carnosis, scapo gracili subspithameo 
quadri-quinquefloro, bracteis minutis ovatis acutis, floribus remotis albis roseo-tinctis, sepalo superiore late ovato 
acuto, lateralibus oblongis, petalis latissime cuneatis obtusissimis, labello parvo longitudine sepalorum lateralium tri- 
lobo, lobis lateralibus brevibus linearibus reflexis, intermedio oblongo purpureo lineato, medio carinato apice eroso 
basi cristato, rostello longe proboscideo. 
Phalaenopsis Lowii, Rchb. F. in Bot. Zeit., 1862, p. 214. — Bot. Mag., t. 5351. 
t first sight Phalaenopsis Lowii calls to mind P. rosea , Lindl., or P . eques- 
tris , Rchb. f., but the two are markedly different from each other, and it 
is diffkult to say which of them is the more beautiful. Moreover, ail the 
species which constitute the genus are distinguished by their exquisite grâce. The 
elegance of their forms and the charms of their colour give a pleasing harmony, 
surpassing the varied tints of the most brilliant moths. If one compares the inflo¬ 
rescences of the several species and varieties whose portraits hâve successively 
been given in the Lindenia, P. Stuartiana var. punctulata , with white flowers 
dotted with brownish-red ; P. Sanderiana , with the perianth white slightly tinged 
withpurple; P. sumatrana , with segments yellow barred with brown ; P. amabilis , 
with large white inflorescences; P. Luddemanniana , with yellowish-white flowers 
transversely striped with violet; P. Schilleriana, with panicles of a splendid rose-pink 
and, lastly, P. Esmeralda var. candidula , with white segments tinted with amethyst, 
they will be convinced, with us, that the group of Phalaenopsis, relative to its 
size, is one of the richest for the colouration and graceful bearing of its species. 
Phalaenopsis Lowii is of a nature to confirm fully this favourable impression. 
It is remarkable for its pretty white flowers tinted with délicate rose, its labellum, 
with the front lobe purple, enlarged and fimbriate near the summit; its column 
also of a beautiful reddish purple and a little curved, and its rostellum having 
the aspect of the head of a long-beaked bird. The plant has somewhat thickened 
fibrous roots; its leaves, few in number, are oblong, acute, and of firm consis- 
tence; and its racemes are branched, and disposed in loose clusters over the 
slender peduncles, and about seven or eight inches long; each branch has rarely 
more than five flowers. 
