spotted or speckled with innumerable small spots of reddish-brovvn, and with 
the front lobe of the lip of a darker shade, bordering on crimson. The lip 
itself is a remarkable organ, and very difficult to describe in few words. It is 
continuons with the foot of the column, and at its junction with that organ forms 
nearly a right-angle with it. Just above this point are the two erect latéral lobes, 
each roundish-oblong, rather thin, and directed slightly backwards in an oblique 
direction. At the base of each latéral lobe is a strong fleshy transverse keel. 
Above this point the lip extends as a broad flattened curved stalk-like body for 
about i cm., and finally cornes the movable front lobe, which is delicately 
articulated to the same. This organ is broadly oblong, with strongly recurved 
tip and margins, and with a pair of fleshy arcuate keels. The whole genus is a 
very curious and interesting one. 
Eight species are now known. P. data, known as the Dove Orchid, is a 
noble species, with long, erect racemes of waxy-white, nearly globose flowers. 
The column and side-lobes of the lip bear a striking resemblance to the figure 
of a dove, whence it has been called by the Spaniards of South America El 
Espiritu Santo. The others bear short, horizontal, or pendulous racemes, like 
those of the species here represented. They are generally yellowish or buff- 
coloured, with numerous maroon or reddish-purple spots. They are natives of 
Panama, Columbia and Guiana. 
The following is an énumération of the species : — 
1. P. aspersa Rolfe, supra. 
2. P. cerina Lindl. Bot. Reg., XXIII (1837), t. 1953. — Central America. 
3. P. data Hook., Bot. Mag., LVIII (1831), t. 3116. — Revue Hort., 1876, 
p. X33, figs. 22, 23. — Id., 1877, p. 110, with plate. — Jmn. Orch., t. 44. — 
Warn. & Will. Orchid. Album, VI, t. 527. — Panama and Columbia. 
4. P. ephippium Rchb. f. in Gard. Chron., 1883.pt. 2, p. 198. Western 
South America. 
5. P. guttata, Kn. & Westc. Fl. Cab., II (1838) p. '99, t. 70. — Demerara. 
6. P. laeta, Rchb. f. in Gard. Chron., 1887, pt. 2, p. 616. — Origin unknown. 
7. P. pendula, Hook. Bot. Mag., LXIII (1836), t. 3479. — Gard. Chron., 
1886, pt. 1, p. 116, fig. 2i (fruit). — British Guiana. 
8. P. Rossiana Rchb. f. in Gard. Chron., 1888, pt. 1, p. 8 . — Origin unknown. 
They succeed well in the East Indian or Cattleya house, potted in a mixture of 
loam and leaf-mould, and well drained. During the growing season they require 
a good supply of water, but after the growth is finished they should be allowed 
a good season of rest, and be kept comparatively dry at the roots. They are very 
interesting, and worthy of more extended cultivation. 
R. A. Rolfe. 
