Part 3

Mr. Skinner was the fortunate discoverer of this noble _Odontoglossum_ which to this day remains unsurpassed, even among all the fine additions that have of late years been made to the genus. Mr. Skinner found it in a "barranca" (or dark ravine) in the environs of the city of Guatemala, and so closely had it lain concealed that even his quick eye failed to detect it until long after he had, as he thought, exhausted the district of all its finest Orchids. It was afterwards met with in other localities, but invariably in a climate of which the ordinary range of temperature lay between 60° and 70°, and in situations where it was secure of abundant moisture and constant shade. In these peculiarities of its natural habitat the conditions of its successful cultivation are clearly pointed out; yet, strange to say, they were unheeded for twenty years, during which the plants in our Orchid-houses were always in a feeble and sickly state, rarely producing more than two or three flowers on a scape, while the imported specimens showed that at least double that number was the proper quota. Now, however, the case is different, for with a mild temperature and moderate shade they are found to be managed with the most perfect ease and to grow with a vigour that could never have been exceeded in their native wilds. In proof of this we need only turn to the vignette, which is copied from a beautiful photograph kindly sent to me by Joshua Saunders, Esq., and which represents a specimen of _O. grande_ as it appeared when flowering in his collection at Clifton. As a further evidence of the ease with which the plant may be grown I may mention that under the care of Major Trevor Clarke it has been induced to bloom in the open air during the summer months. This, however, must only be looked upon as an interesting experiment and is not recommended for imitation. _O. grande_ usually flowers in July or August, when the season's growth is nearly completed; after this it should be allowed to rest. Mr. Fitch's drawing was taken from a handsome variety that flowered last year (1864) in a north house at Knypersley, and which had been given me by Mr. Skinner.[5]

DISSECTIONS.--1. Front view of column and labellum; 2. Side view of ditto: _slightly magnified_.

Plate IX

PLATE IX.

ODONTOGLOSSUM NÆVIUM, _Lindley_.

SPECKLED ODONTOGLOSSUM.

O. (EUODONTOGLOSSUM) pseudobulbis ovatis compressis, foliis tenuibus lanceolatis basi angustatis scapo racemoso vel subpaniculato multifloro nutante subæqualibus vel longioribus, sepalis petalisque angustis ovato-lanceolatis acuminatis undulatis, labello subconformi pubescente vix hastato, cristæ dentibus 2 grossis bi- vel subtrilobis pubescentibus, columnæ cirrhis subulatis patulis.

ODONTOGLOSSUM NÆVIUM, _Lindley in Paxton's Flower Garden_, i. _t._ 18; _Flore des Serres_, vi. 594; _Pescatorea_, _t._ 13; _Warner's Select Orchidaceous Plants_, _t._ 7; _Reichenbach fil. in Bonplandia_, ii. 278.

Habitat in VENEZUELA, _Funck and Schlim_ (721), in the province of Truxillo, near S. Lazaro and La Peña, 6000 feet; NEW GRANADA, in the province of Pamplona, flowering in August, 8000 feet, _Linden_ (146).

DESCRIPTION.

PSEUDOBULBS _ovate, compressed, somewhat bluntly ribbed, bearing 1 or 2 narrow-oblong_ LEAVES, _tapering at the base, about equal in length to or more frequently shorter than the many-flowered flower-scape_. FLOWERS _arranged on a nodding raceme (occasionally a panicle is formed), pure white, speckled everywhere with rich crimson or brown_. BRACTS _very short, scale-like_. SEPALS _and_ PETALS _ovate, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, spreading equally, much waved, from 1½ to (in some varieties) 2 or 2½ inches long_. LIP _shorter than the petals, but nearly of the same form and colour, except that there is a yellow crest with a large crimson blotch in its front; at its base the edges of the claw clasp the column_. TEETH _of the crest yellow, small, distinct, with 2 or 3 unequal blunt lobes to each, downy_. COLUMN _downy, narrowed to the base, with a pair of awl-shaped ears near the summit, below the anther-bed_.

This brilliant _Odontoglossum_ was first discovered by the late Sir Robert Schomburgk, and having been shipped with his other collections from Demerara, has long been supposed to be a native of the latter colony. I am, however, satisfied that, beyond the circumstance alluded to, there is not the slightest reason for regarding it as a Demerara plant, for no other collector has ever found it there, nor would its constitution endure so hot a climate. As Sir Robert, in his memorable expedition into the interior of Guiana (1835-37), reached an elevation of 7000 feet, on the fourth parallel of latitude, and among the southern affluents of the Orinoco, I have little doubt that it was in this region that he discovered _O. nævium,_ along with _Maxillaria eburnea_, _Diothonea imbricata_, and other treasures that have never yet found their way to us in a living state.[6]

_O. nævium_ and its varieties appear to be extensively distributed, having been met with in many localities, both in Venezuela and New Granada, always, however, at a very considerable elevation, and hence the necessity of cool treatment. If this be conceded, the plant is of the easiest culture and will flower abundantly in May or June. The figure was taken from a splendid specimen in Mr. Rucker's collection.

I do not think it necessary to adhere any longer to Dr. Lindley's distinction (as noted in the 'Folia Orchidacea') of a "major" variety, for this is now found to pass insensibly into the ordinary type. The former has sometimes been confounded with the _O. gloriosum_ of Reichenbach, but this is a perfectly independent form, and as such will shortly be figured in this work.

DISSECTIONS.--1. Front view of lip and column; 2. Side view of ditto: _magnified_.

Plate X

PLATE X.

ODONTOGLOSSUM CARINIFERUM, _Reichb. fil._

KEEL-PETALED ODONTOGLOSSUM.

O. (XANTHOGLOSSUM) pseudobulbis oblongis 1-2-phyllis, foliis loratis scapo paniculato brevioribus, sepalis petalisque oblongis acutiusculis basi subcuneatis dorso carinâ crassâ auctis pergameneis, labello membranaceo sessili ligulato dimidio anteriori subito in laminam reniformem denticulatam medio antice apiculatam extenso, lamellis rhombeis extrorsum biquadridentatis supinis utrinque in ligulâ labelli basilari, raphi utriusque lamellæ carinatâ antrorsum in tres digitos excurrente, columnâ elongatâ, alis elongatis crenulatis hyalinis inferioribus 2 utrinque obtusatis, crassioribus columnâ vix marginatâ. (_Reichb. fil. in Bot. Zeitung_, 1852, _p._ 638.)

ODONTOGLOSSUM CARINIFERUM, _Lindl. Fol. Orch._

Habitat in AMERICA CENTRALI, _Reichenbach_.

DESCRIPTION.

PSEUDOBULBS _3 or 4 inches long, oblong, smooth, bearing 2 broadish, leathery, sharp-pointed_ LEAVES. SCAPE _longer than the leaf, panicled with zigzag branches_. BRACTS _triangular, short_. SEPALS _and_ PETALS _1 inch long, greenish outside, but of a purplish-brown inside, distinctly keeled at the back_. LIP _yellowish-white, sessile, ligulate at its base, but suddenly changing into a broad reniform plate, which is apiculate in front, and at its base adjoins the crest, which consists of 2 nearly prostrate, irregularly toothed, rhomboid lobes on either side, with 3 finger-like processes in front_. COLUMN _elongated, with transparent crenulate wings, its anther-bed scarcely margined_.

For the opportunity of figuring this pretty _Odontoglossum_ I am indebted to the kindness of the Bishop of Winchester, in whose collection at Farnham Castle it flowered profusely in November last. A fortnight afterwards I also received specimens from Mr. Rucker, but the flowers of his variety were scarcely so bright in their colouring as those of the Bishop's plant.

_O. cariniferum_, although now figured for the first time, appears to have been introduced several years ago to German collections, and from some of these it has, no doubt, found its way to England. It is a native of Central America, where it probably affects a high elevation, as it succeeds perfectly under cool treatment, both at Farnham Castle and at West Hill. Its flowers continue in perfection for many weeks.

DISSECTIONS.--1. Front view of lip and column; 2. Side view of ditto: _magnified_.

Plate XI

PLATE XI.

ODONTOGLOSSUM LINDLEYANUM.

DR. LINDLEY'S ODONTOGLOSSUM.

O. (EUODONTOGLOSSUM, _Lindl._) pseudobulbis ovato-oblongis compressis diphyllis, foliis lanceolatis subcoriaceis acutis scapo racemoso multi-(5-12)floro vix brevioribus, sepalis petalisque lineari-lanceolatis acuminatis subæqualibus, labello angusto unguiculato hastato utroque latere angulato in disco bifalcigero basi per carinam cum columnâ connato. Columna tomentosa, auriculis erectis angustis acuminatis.

ODONTOGLOSSUM LINDLEYANUM, _Reichenbach fil._: _Warsz. Bonpl._ ii. 69; _Reichenbach_, _Xenia Orch._ _t._ 71; _Walpers_, _Annales._ vi. _fasc._ 6.

ODONTOGLOSSUM EPIDENDROIDES, _Lindl. fil._ (_non Hb. Kth. N.G._).

Habitat in PAMPLONA (in sylvis humidis), 8500 ft., _Linden_; Ocaña, 9000 ft., _Schlim_; Ocaña (_floribus majoribus_), _Wagener_; Bogotá, _Weir_.

DESCRIPTION.

PSEUDOBULBS _about 3 inches long, ovate-oblong, compressed, 2-leaved, sometimes a little spotted_. LEAVES _lanceolate, from a span to a foot long, rather leathery, sharp-pointed_. RACEME _rather longer than the leaves, bearing from half-a-dozen to a dozen flowers_. BRACTS _oblong, acute, about one-third the length of the ovary_. SEPALS _and_ PETALS _nearly equal, an inch or more long, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, of a yellowish-green, with a few large chestnut blotches, the arrangement of which varies in different specimens_. LIP _shorter than the petals, narrow, unguiculate, hastate, 3-lobed; the lateral lobes forming two blunt angles, the middle lobe longer, linear-lanceolate, deflexed, with two large upright slightly-curved horns placed on either side of the disk; at its base the lip is keeled and united with the column after the fashion of the Trichopilias; its colour is usually a pale yellow or yellowish-white with large chestnut bands_. COLUMN _downy, furnished near the summit with two narrow erect upright acuminate auricles_.

The name of this plant, associated as it is with the memory of the distinguished botanist who has lately passed from among us, is to me suggestive of the most melancholy reflections. Mourn indeed I must, the loss of one who had been my steady friend for five-and-thirty years, and by whose labours among the members of my favourite tribe, I have been enabled to follow a pursuit that has never ceased to be a joy and solace amid all the cares and vicissitudes of life![7]

_O. Lindleyanum_ was so named by Professor Reichenbach, in honour of the great Orchidist whose mantle seems now to have fallen upon himself. It is closely allied to the _O. epidendroides_ of Humboldt and Kunth, from which indeed Dr. Lindley failed to distinguish it, but if the characters of the two species, as represented in the 'Xenia,' prove to be constant, no doubt the German Professor was right in separating them.

Several travellers, including Schlim, Wagener, Warszewicz, and Weir, appear to have met with the plant in various localities in New Granada, but always at a great elevation, hence it must of course be classed among the coolest section of Orchids. It has flowered in the gardens of the Horticultural Society, to which it was sent by their zealous collector Mr. Weir, and also in the collection of Mr. Rucker, where Mr. Fitch made his drawing in the spring of last year (1865).

DISSECTIONS.--1. Lip and column, seen sideways; 2. Ditto seen in front: _magnified_.

Plate XII

PLATE XII.

ODONTOGLOSSUM GLORIOSUM.

FINE ODONTOGLOSSUM.

O. (EUODONTOGLOSSUM, _Lindl._) pseudobulbis ovatis confertis diphyllis, foliis lato-lanceolatis acutis scapo valido paniculato multifloro brevioribus, sepalis petalisque oblongo-ligulatis acuminatis stellatis, labello a basi cordatâ ligulato acuminato, basin versus utrinque angulato, ceterum hinc illinc denticulato, callo depresso quadrilobulo nunc quadridentato ante basin, columnâ clavatâ apice utrinque cirrho setaceo medio inferne unidentato.

ODONTOGLOSSUM GLORIOSUM, _Reichenbach fil._ _Bonpl._ ii. 278; _idem in Gardeners' Chronicle_ (_New Plants_, _n._ 293, 1865), _et in Walpers_, _Annales_, vi. _fasc._ 6.

Habitat in N. GRANADA, Soto. 8-9000 p., _Schlim_; Ocaña, 6000 p., _Wagener_; Bogotá, _Weir_.

DESCRIPTION.

PSEUDOBULBS _ovate, 2-leaved, growing closely together, 3 or 4 inches long, turning to a dark colour when old_. LEAVES _broadly-lanceolate, acute, shorter than the stout much-branched many-flowered panicle_. FLOWERS _exceedingly variable in size and form and colour; the example in the Plate representing one of the largest varieties, and the vignette one of the least. Usually they are about 2 inches across, of a pale ochrish or greenish-yellow, blotched, or sometimes minutely spotted, with dark-chestnut_. SEPALS _and_ PETALS _nearly equal, lanceolate, acute (often narrower than in the figure), slightly waved_. LIP _ligulate, smooth (not crisp) at the margin, very much attenuated in front, but heart-shaped at the base, towards which it is abruptly carinate, and furnished with 2 upright large sharp double teeth_. COLUMN _clavate, with hairy cirrhi on either side near its apex, and a solitary tooth near the middle_.

This remarkable _Odontoglossum_ was long since discovered in New Granada by Schlim and Wagener, in whose herbaria its stately many-flowered panicles formed so striking a feature that Professor Reichenbach did not hesitate to give the plant the name of _gloriosum_; an epithet which--now that we have the plant amongst us in a living state--may perhaps be thought to be somewhat beyond its merits. It must indeed be admitted that the fresh blossoms, which are of a faint yellowish-green, scarcely realize the expectations which the rich colour and profusion of flowers in the dried specimens had very naturally raised. Nor are all the varieties of equal merit, some being much smaller and paler than others.

The species has lately been imported in large quantities, both by Messrs. H. Low and Co., of Clapton, and by the Horticultural Society, who received it in 1864 from Mr. Weir, by whom it was gathered in the neighbourhood of Bogotá. It flowers freely, and at all seasons of the year; nor does it appear to care so much as many of its congeners for a few degrees more or less of heat or cold. I believe it has already bloomed in almost every collection of note; though the spikes, as was of course to be expected, are as yet far from equal to the wild specimens.[8] The figure was taken from a plant in Mr. Day's garden, where I saw, in November last, nearly a dozen distinct varieties in blow, some of them rivalling the example given in the Plate, while others were as insignificant as that which is shown in the vignette. The blossoms continue fresh for at least a fortnight, and emit a pleasant honey-like scent.

DISSECTIONS.--1. Lip (_magnified_), seen sideways; 2. Ditto, seen in front.

Plate XIII

PLATE XIII. FIG. 1.

ODONTOGLOSSUM WARNERIANUM,

MR. WARNER'S ODONTOGLOSSUM.

O. (LEUCOGLOSSUM, _Lindl._) pseudobulbis subelongatis compressis monophyllis, foliis membranaceis oblongis in petiolum canaliculatum angustatis scapo 2-6-floro brevioribus, bracteis uncialibus acuminatis, sepalis lineari-lanceolatis acutis, petalis latioribus undulatis, labelli callo cuneato ovato, antice abrupte trilobo, lobis lateralibus angulatis, lobo medio forcipato bicruri, longiori, lateribus calli a basi versus apicem involutis, laminâ cordato-triangulâ obtusâ, margine minute crispulâ crenulatâ, columnâ gracili clavatâ apterâ.

ODONTOGLOSSUM WARNERIANUM, _Reichenbach fil. in Mohl and Schl. Bot. Zeit._ 1864, 297; _idem in Gardeners' Chronicle_, 1865, _New Plants_, _n._ 294.

Habitat in MEXICO (?).

DESCRIPTION.

PSEUDOBULBS _rather long and narrow, compressed, about 3 inches in length_. LEAVES, _one on each pseudobulb, less than a span long, membranous, sharp-pointed, narrowed at the base into a channelled petiole_. BRACTS _about an inch long, scariose, very acuminate_. SCAPE _longer than the leaves, only partially covered by the bracts, bearing from 2 to half-a-dozen flowers of a very delicate texture, and of snowy whiteness with the exception of the yellow crest on the lip and a few brown blotches on the lower half of the sepals and (though in a less degree) of the petals also_. SEPALS _rather narrow, oblong, acute_. PETALS _broader than the sepals and waved at the margin_. LIP _with a heart-shaped crenulate plate (occasionally suffused with a rosy tint), and a yellow 3-lobed callus at its base, the front portion of which is longer than the lateral ones (which are turned inwards from the base upwards), and split into two divergent members_. COLUMN _slender, clavate, wingless_.

This pretty species was first described by Professor Reichenbach, from materials derived from the collection of Mr. Warner, of Broomfield, in compliment to whom he named it. It also flowered with the late Mr. Cauty, of Liverpool, who kindly sent me the specimens from which the figure was prepared, but these were smaller and less rich in their colouring than those of Mr. Warner.

We have no precise information as to the locality where _O. Warnerianum_ grows wild, but there can be no doubt that it comes from some part of Mexico, whence we have other species, _e.g._ _O. Rossii_, _O. Ehrenbergii_, and _O. nebulosum_, to all of which it is nearly allied. It flowers in the later autumn and winter months, but like most of the other members of its section (_Leucoglossum_), is of a delicate habit, and requires to be very carefully handled. It seems to prefer a moderate heat and perhaps a slightly drier atmosphere than that in which the New Granada and Peruvian Odontoglossa evidently delight; the compost or materials in which the roots grow, should on no account be allowed to become sodden.

DISSECTIONS.--1. Lip and column (_magnified_), seen in front; 2. Ditto, seen sideways.

PLATE XIII. FIG. 2.

ODONTOGLOSSUM STELLATUM.

STELLATE ODONTOGLOSSUM.

O. (LEUCOGLOSSUM, _Lindl._) pseudobulbis ovalibus compressis, foliis solitariis lanceolatis recurvis, scapis erectis 1-2-floris brevioribus, bracteis ovarii triquetri medium non attingentibus, sepalis petalisque æqualibus linearibus acuminatis herbaceis, labello rhomboideo subrotundo grosse dentato appendice unguis truncatâ quadridentatâ apice liberâ.

ODONTOGLOSSUM STELLATUM, _Lindl. in Bot. Reg._ 1841, _Misc._ 25; _Fol. Orch._ _n._ 18.

ODONTOGLOSSUM EROSUM, _Reichenbach fil. Bonpl._ ii. 99; _A. Rich. Gal. in Ann. Sc. Nat._ Jan. 1845.

Habitat in GUATEMALA, _Skinner_; MEXICO, _Hartweg_; VERAGUAS, _Warszewicz_.

DESCRIPTION.

PSEUDOBULBS _oval, compressed, about an inch long, glossy, bearing solitary lanceolate somewhat recurved_ LEAVES, _which are shorter than the upright 1-(rarely 2-)flowered_ SCAPES. BRACTS _not half so long as the three-cornered ovary_. SEPALS _and_ PETALS _equal, linear, acuminate, of a dull olive-green, with a few faint transverse streaks of brown on their inner side_. LIP _white, rhomboidal, subrotund, with its edges eroded, and its unguis, or claw, hollow, truncate, free, and divided at top into two, or rather into four lobes, the two foremost of which resemble teeth_. COLUMN _slender, wingless_.

There is an air of quaintness about this little _Odontoglossum_ which, insignificant though it be, is spread over a range of territory far more extensive than is occupied by any other member of the genus; for it has been found in Mexico by Hartweg, in Guatemala (on the Volcan del Fuego) by Skinner, and in Veraguas by Warszewicz!

At Knypersley, where the figure was taken, the species flowers freely in the winter and spring, and is managed (in a cool house) without the slightest difficulty.

DISSECTIONS.--1. Column and lip (_magnified_), seen sideways; 2. Ditto, ditto, in front.

Plate XIV

PLATE XIV.

ODONTOGLOSSUM ALEXANDRÆ.

PRINCESS OF WALES' ODONTOGLOSSUM (BLUNT'S VARIETY).

O. (ISANTHIUM, _Lindl._) pseudobulbis ovatis compressis 1- vel 2-phyllis, racemo simplici multifloro foliis subæquali, bracteis minoribus cochleatis acutis, floribus membranaceis pedicellis æquantibus, sepalis petalisque sæpius subæqualibus (interdum petalis multo latioribus), sepalis lanceolatis acuminatis petalis ovato-lanceolatis acutis undulato-laceris, labello breviore unguiculato formâ diversissimâ, nunc sepalis conformi nunc subpanduriformi, apice emarginato (sæpius mucrone adjecto) margine undulato integro vel sæpius dentato acuto apice recurvo, disco maculato, cristâ simplici bilamellatâ. Columna arcuata clavata, alata, alis laceris.

ODONTOGLOSSUM ALEXANDRÆ, _Bateman in Gardeners' Chronicle_, 1864; _et in Proceedings R. Hort. Soc._ _p._ 186 (1864).

ODONTOGLOSSUM BLUNTII, _Reichenbach fil._

Habitat in NOV. GRANADA, prope Pacho, 7-8000 p., _Weir_, _Blunt_.

DESCRIPTION.

_An Epiphyte._ PSEUDOBULBS _smooth, slightly compressed, sometimes broadly ovate, but occasionally tapering, 2 to 3 inches long, and bearing 1 or 2 linear lanceolate-pointed_ LEAVES, _which are from a few inches to a foot long, and frequently of rather lax character; a reddish tint is also sometimes met with both in the leaves and pseudobulbs_. RACEMES _always simple, about the length of--sometimes longer than--the leaves, and carrying from two or three to a dozen or more large membranous and beautiful_ FLOWERS, _which vary exceedingly both in size, form, and colouring. Usually they are from 2 to 3 inches in diameter, and about equal to the pedicels_. BRACTS _about half an inch long, pointed, fitting close to the stem_. SEPALS _lanceolate acuminate, white or rosy-white, with sometimes one or more brown or purple spots on each_. PETALS _usually--though not invariably--wider than the sepals, and resembling them in form and colour, but destitute of spots; both in the sepals and petals the edges are usually more or less curled or waved_. LIP _recurved at the apex, exceedingly variable in its outline; in some examples almost exactly resembling the sepals, in others taking more or less a panduriform shape (in which case the apex, instead of pointed, is round, emarginate, with a point or mucro); the edges too, which are sometimes entire, are much more frequently jagged or toothed; the short unguis, or claw, is longitudinally callose; and where it expands into the disk, ends in two straight pointed and diverging teeth, which, like the claw, are yellow, the rest of the lip being white, with or without spots of the same character as those found in the sepals; there are a few red or brown lines which radiate or spread out like a fan on either side of the teeth composing the crest, but they do not, as in_ O. PESCATOREI, _form a detached flap_. COLUMN _short, arched, club-shaped, with broad truncate wings that are more or less jagged or fringed_.