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_. [Illustration: Plant of _Odontoglossum grande_ in the collection of Joshua Saunders, Esq., copied from a photograph taken by himself.] Plate IX [Illustration: Odontoglossum nævium.] 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.