THE
ORCHID ALBUM,

COMPRISING
COLOURED FIGURES AND DESCRIPTIONS
OF
NEW, RARE, AND BEAUTIFUL
ORCHIDACEOUS PLANTS.

CONDUCTED BY
ROBERT WARNER, F.L.S., F.R.H.S.,
Author of SELECT ORCHIDACEOUS PLANTS,
AND
BENJAMIN SAMUEL WILLIAMS, F.L.S., F.R.H.S.,
Author of the ORCHID-GROWERS’ MANUAL, etc.

The Botanical Descriptions by THOMAS MOORE, F.L.S., F.R.H.S.,
CURATOR of the CHELSEA BOTANIC GARDENS.

THE COLOURED FIGURES BY JOHN NUGENT FITCH, F.L.S.

VOLUME III.

LONDON:
Published by B. S. Williams,
AT THE
VICTORIA AND PARADISE NURSERIES, UPPER HOLLOWAY, N.
MDCCCLXXXIV.

DEDICATED
BY SPECIAL PERMISSION
TO
H.R.H. The Princess of Wales,
BY
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS’
Very obedient and humble Servants,
ROBERT WARNER,
BENJAMIN S. WILLIAMS.

INDEX TO PLATES.

PLATE AËRIDES VANDARUM, Rchb. f.[116] ANGULOA EBURNEA, Williams[133] ARUNDINA BAMBUSÆFOLIA, Lindl.[139] CALANTHE VESTITA WILLIAMSII, Moore[134] CATTLEYA LABIATA PALLIDA, Hort.[121] CATTLEYA LABIATA PERCIVALIANA, Rchb. f.[144] CATTLEYA MOSSIÆ HARDYANA, Williams and Moore[125] CATTLEYA SKINNERI ALBA, Rchb. f.[112] CATTLEYA TRIANÆ FORMOSA, Williams[108] [See note under t. [113].] CATTLEYA WHITEI, Rchb. f.[115] CŒLOGYNE BARBATA, Griff.[143] CORYANTHES MACULATA PUNCTATA, Lindl.[98] CYMBIDIUM AFFINE, Griff.[140] CYPRIPEDIUM CALURUM, Rchb. f.[136] CYPRIPEDIUM CURTISII, Rchb. f.[122] CYPRIPEDIUM MELANOPHTHALMUM, Rchb. f.[109] CYPRIPEDIUM SPICERIANUM, Rchb. f.[119] DENDROBIUM DEARII, Rchb. f.[120] DENDROBIUM DRACONIS, Rchb. f.[103] DENDROBIUM FARMERII AUREUM, Williams and Moore[99] DENDROBIUM LINAWIANUM, Rchb. f.[141] DENDROBIUM WARDIANUM GIGANTEUM, Williams and Moore[113] LÆLIA ALBIDA, Batem.[138] LÆLIA AMANDA, Rchb. f.[135] LÆLIA DAYANA, Rchb. f.[132] LÆLIA ELEGANS PRASIATA, Rchb. f.[97] LÆLIA HARPOPHYLLA, Rchb. f.[117] LÆLIA GRANDIS, Lindl.[123] LYCASTE HARRISONIÆ EBURNEA, Moore[100] MASDEVALLIA HARRYANA ATROSANGUINEA, Hort. Williams[105] MASDEVALLIA HARRYANA MINIATA, Williams and Moore[110] MAXILLARIA LUTEO-ALBA, Lindl.[106] ODONTOGLOSSUM ALEXANDRÆ COOKSONII, Williams and Moore[118] ODONTOGLOSSUM ALEXANDRÆ STEVENSII, Williams and Moore[127] ODONTOGLOSSUM ELEGANS, Rchb. f.[111] ODONTOGLOSSUM LEEANUM, Rchb. f.[101] ODONTOGLOSSUM NEVADENSE, Rchb. f.[131] ONCIDIUM FORBESII, Hooker[104] ONCIDIUM LANCEANUM LOUVREXIANUM, Rchb. f.[129] ONCIDIUM TIGRINUM, Llave et Lex[137] PILUMNA NOBILIS, Rchb. f.[128] PLEIONE HUMILIS TRICOLOR, Rchb. f.[102] SACCOLABIUM CURVIFOLIUM, Lindl.[107] THUNIA MARSHALLIANA, Rchb. f.[130] TRICHOSMA SUAVIS, Lindl.[114] VANDA SANDERIANA, Rchb. f.[124] WARSCEWICZELLA WENDLANDI DISCOLOR, Rchb. f.[126] ZYGOPETALUM BURKEI, Rchb. f.[142]

INDEX TO NOTES AND SYNONYMS.

UNDER PLATE Aërides cylindricum, Hooker[116] Aërides Lawrenciæ, cost of[109] Angræcum fastuosum, Sir T. Lawrence’s[143] Angræcum sesquipedale, Mr. Graham’s[118] Bletia albida, Rchb. f.[138] Bletia graminifolia, Don[139] Bletia grandis, Rchb. f.[123] Calanthe Veitchii, Mr. Gaskell’s[127] Calanthe vestita, Mr. Gaskell’s[127] Cattleya Percivaliana alba, Mr. Percival’s[131] Cattleya Rothschildiana, Hort.[117], [135] Cattleya Skinneri, gigantic[142] Cattleya Trianæ formosa, correction[113] Cattleya Trianæ, Mr. Philbrick’s[131] Cattleyas, Mr. Lee’s[140] Cattleyas, Mr. Percival’s[101] Cœlogyne coronaria, Lindley[114] Coryanthes punctata, Lindley[98] Cymbidium affine, Mr. Wyatt’s[123] Cymbidium bambusifolium, Roxb.[139] Cymbidium elegans, Mr. McDonald’s[122] Cymbidium micromeson, Lindley[140] Dendrobium crassinode Barberianum[138] Dendrobium eburneum, Parish[103] Dendrobium Harveyanum, Sir T. Lawrence’s[143] Dendrobium moniliforme, Lindley, non Swartz[141] Dendrobium nobile formosanum, Rchb. f.[141] Dendrobium Paxtoni, Mr. Mainwaring’s[142] Dendrobium Wardianum Lowii, Smith[113] Disa grandiflora, Duke of Devonshire’s[107] Epidendrum vitellinum giganteum, Mr. Shaw’s[126] Eria coronaria, Rchb. f.[114] Esmeralda Sanderiana, Rchb. f.[124] Lælia amanda, Mr. Brymer’s[117] Lælia anceps, Mr. Percival’s[128] Lælia anceps Williamsiana, Messrs. Sander’s[131] Lælia pumila Dayana, Burbidge[132] Lælia purpurata, Mr. Buchanan’s[98] Lycastes, Mr. Lee’s[134] Manchester Whitsuntide Exhibition of 1883[97] Masdevallia Chimæra, Marquis of Lothian’s[120] Masdevallia Harryana atrosanguinea, Hort. Williams[99] Masdevallia Harryana longiflora, Warner[99] Odontoglossum Alexandræ, Mr. Bockett’s[119] Odontoglossum Alexandræ aureum, Mr. Philbrick’s[131] Odontoglossum cinnamomeum, Sir T. Lawrence’s[143] Odontoglossum mulus, Mr. Tod’s[142] Odontoglossum Pollettianum, Mr. Pollett’s[131] Odontoglossum sceptrum, Mr. McDonald’s[136] Odontoglossums, Mr. Warner’s[99] Oncidium anthrocene, Messrs. Sander’s[131] Oncidium Barkeri, Lindley[137] Oncidium Jonesianum, Mr. Smee’s[131] Oncidium Lanceanum, Lindley[130] Orchid, a gigantic[142] Orchids, New[131], [143] Orchids, Mr. Bull’s Exhibition of[104] Orchids, Dr. Paterson’s[114] Orchids, Mr. Warner’s[99] Orchids at Dunlop House[118] Orchids at Downside, Leatherhead[134] Orchids at Eastwood Park, Glasgow[116] Orchids at Gouville[108] Orchids at Melrose[115] Orchids at Sandringham[103] Orchids at The Dell, Staines[110] Orchids at Upper Holloway Nursery[100] Orchids in Vineries[125] Phaius tuberculosus, successful treatment of[139] Phalænopsids, Mr. Lee’s[134] Pilumna fragrans grandiflora, Linden[128] Renanthera Lowii, Baron Rothschild’s[106] Saccolabium miniatum, Hooker[107] Stanhopea gibbosa, Mr. Wallis’s[107] Trichopilia fragrans nobilis, Lind. et And.[128] Vanda Cathcartii, Mr. Heriot’s[131] Vanda Lowii, Baron Rothschild’s[106] Vanda Sanderiana, Mr. Lee’s[111] Vanda suavis and tricolor, Mr. Graham’s[118] Vanda teres, Mr. Broome’s[102] Warscewiczella Wendlandi, Rchb. f.[126] Zygopetalum Burkei, Messrs. Veitch’s[122] Zygopetalum Wendlandi, Rchb. f.[126]

PL. 97. LÆLIA ELEGANS PRASIATA

LÆLIA ELEGANS PRASIATA.
[[Plate 97].]
Native of Brazil.

Epiphytal. Stems erect, clustered, terete, clavate, jointed, about one and a half foot high. Leaves in pairs at the top of the stems, linear-oblong, obtuse, coriaceous, deep green. Racemes short, erect, six to eight-flowered, issuing from an oblong purplish compressed bract, the peduncles and pedicels green. Flowers large and showy, five inches across; sepals about three inches long, oblanceolate, the edges revolute and the tips recurved, of a light magenta-rose, paler towards the base, having a greenish tint along the centre, and a distinct flush of purple; petals obovate-lanceolate, acute, an inch broad, of a deeper rose than the sepals, and having a flush of green, the margins undulated; lip three-lobed, the lateral lobes elongate, white, rolled over the column, tinted with rose at the edges; and of a bright rosy crimson at the tips; the front lobe an inch and three-fourths in breadth, transversely-reniform, crenate and much undulated at the margin, of a rich magenta-crimson, traversed by veins of deeper crimson, the veins most evident in the centre where the ground colour is paler; disk smooth. Column clavate, marginate, enclosed.

Lælia elegans prasiata, Reichenbach fil., in litteris, 1863; Id. Botanische Zeitung, October, 1864; Id. Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S., xix., 11 (sub-variety).

The Lælias form a glorious class of Orchids, including many noble species which certainly rank amongst the most beautiful of the whole family. Their flowers embrace nearly every shade of colour, including bright orange, yellow, pure white, magenta, rose, and many others. They are all extremely beautiful, notwithstanding that some of them produce large flowers, while those of others are much smaller, for the latter are often of a more brilliant colour than the larger kinds, which is an ample compensation. The whole family, without exception, is well worth growing.

The particular form we now bring before the notice of our readers is a very handsome variety, and when first bloomed had the flowers prasiato aspersis; it is of the same type as Lælia Turnerii, of which there is a grand plate in the first series of Mr. Warner’s Select Orchidaceous Plants. Our illustration was prepared from a drawing taken from a specimen, bearing two spikes, and which produced six beautiful flowers on each, in the select collection of Baron Schröder, The Dell, Staines.

Lælia elegans prasiata is an evergreen plant, producing stems or pseudobulbs about eighteen inches high, furnished with two leaves which are six inches long and of a dark green colour. It produces its flowers from the new bulb when it has completed its growth, and they issue from a sheath, six or more together. The sepals and petals are of a dull magenta, tinged with green, the lip being of a bright magenta, while the external port of the lateral lobes, where they roll inwards over the column, is white. The flowers are very fragrant, the scent being a mixture of “May” and “Gardenia.”

This plant blooms during September and October, and lasts in beauty for about three weeks. We find it requires the same treatment as Lælia purpurata. It should, moreover, be grown in similar material, namely, good fibrous peat, with perfect drainage, and as much light as possible. Mr. Ballantyne, the gardener at the Dell, cultivates this with his Cattleyas, which are well grown, there being among them some wonderful specimens, many having over a hundred pseudobulbs. When in bloom, these plants are quite worth a journey to see.

The Manchester Whitsuntide Exhibition of 1883 was a great success. Over £2,000 was taken at the gates. We generally make a point of jotting down a few notes concerning this show, as its chief attraction consists of the Orchids, in which of course our readers are most interested. Although the show had lost several of its largest supporters, such as Mr. Percival, Mr. Hardy, and the late R. B. Dodgson, Esq., of Blackburn, there were others who exhibited in strong force. We will mention a few of the most noteworthy of the plants. O. Schneider, Esq., showed a very fine collection, including Cattleya Mendelii, a grand variety with sixteen flowers; also a splendid plant of C. Mossiæ, with over twenty beautiful flowers; and Dendrobium Devonianum, a splendid plant with its long stems bearing over two hundred flowers; in front of this was Odontoglossum Pescatorei, with fourteen spikes of its lovely white and spotted flowers; and a fine Lælia purpurata, with its rosy sepals and petals, and bright crimson-purple lip. Dr. Ainsworth exhibited some very fine specimens of Dendrobium thyrsiflorum, with fifteen of its beautiful spikes; the pure white Phalænopsis amabilis, a splendid mass with twelve spikes and a hundred flowers; a wonderful specimen of Vanda suavis, with twelve spikes; Phalænopsis grandiflora, with more than fifty flowers; and Aërides Fieldingii, a fine specimen with five spikes and six branches. Mrs. Leach, of Gorse Hall, Stalybridge, exhibited six good plants, among them was a fine Cattleya Mossiæ, with a splendid dark lip; also Dendrobium nobile, fine, and the beautiful Odontoglossum Hallii. There were some fine specimens exhibited from the collection of W. Leach, Esq., Fallowfield, among which was a wonderful plant of Dendrobium Falconeri, with two hundred flowers; next to this was the curious Cypripedium caudatum, with six spikes, also Aërides crasssifolium, and other good Orchids. Mr. Upjohn exhibited a wonderful Vanda tricolor, the finest-grown plant we have seen, with five spikes. Mr. Hodgkinson exhibited a very fine variety of Vanda suavis with three spikes. Mr. James, of Norwood, Surrey, exhibited two fine collections, including a wonderful plant of Dendrobium Paxtoni; Cattleya Mendelii, with ten flowers; Masdevallia Harryana, a fine variety; a good plant of Dendrobium Jamesianum, with thirty-six flowers, and many other fine specimens. Mr. Cypher, of Cheltenham, also showed some good plants, among which we remarked a fine Dendrobium Freemanii, with one hundred flowers of a beautiful colour; D. Devonianum, with two hundred of its lovely blossoms; also some other good plants. Messrs. Ireland & Thomson, of Edinburgh, also exhibited a very fine collection of cut Orchids that was much admired.—B. S. W.

PL. 98. CORYANTHES MACULATA PUNCTATA.

CORYANTHES MACULATA PUNCTATA.
[[Plate 98].]
Native of Demerara.

Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs ovate or sometimes narrowed and elongate, furrowed, two to three inches long, tapering upwards, clustered. Leaves two, from the apex of each pseudobulb, broadly lanceolate, plicate, submembranaceous, light green, about a foot long. Scape radical, pendent, one and a half foot long, brownish purple, bearing a raceme of several flowers. Bracts large, membranaceous, ovate-lanceolate, two or three sheathing ones on the scape, and one at the base of each pedicel. Flowers large, very peculiar in form, ochraceous yellow, curiously spotted and blotched with deep wine-purple; sepals conduplicate flexuose, membranaceous, the dorsal one small, oblong, the lateral ones broad, at first spreading, but at length becoming reflexed and resembling bats’ wings, pale ochraceous yellow, the surface thickly spotted with small dots of deep wine-purple; petals oblong, erect, twisted, much smaller than the sepals, of the same colour, but having the spots larger; lip stipitate, continuous with the base of the column, cup-shaped, having a large helmet-shaped pedunculate appendage, the cup yellowish, the appendage creamy white, spotted and blotched on both surfaces with deep wine-purple, the purple colour almost covering the anterior side. Column terete, recurved, two horned at the base, two winged.

Coryanthes maculata punctata, Lindley, Folia Orchidacea, art. Coryanthes, No. 2.; Reichenbach fil., in Walpers’ Annales Botanices Systematica, vi., 598.

Coryanthes punctata, Lindley, Botanical Register, t. 1793.

Coryanthes is a most curious and interesting genus of Orchids, and but few species have yet come under our notice. We have long known C. macrantha and C. speciosa, which are two distinct kinds. That which we now figure is much like C. macrantha, with the exception that the crimson colouring is darker. Our drawing was taken from a fine specimen in the superb collection of W. McDonald, Esq., Woodlands, Perth, who is a great admirer of good Orchids.

Coryanthes maculata punctata is an evergreen plant, with short, thick pseudobulbs about two inches in height, bearing light green foliage about a foot in height. The flower spike proceeds from the base of the pseudobulbs, several flowers being produced together on the some scape; they are yellow, spotted with crimson. The plant, which blooms during October and November lasts but a few days in flower; it is, however, well worth growing on account of the extraordinary form of its flowers. Before they open they remind one of a Chinese foot; after opening they form a kind of cup having above it a pair of fleshy horns from which a liquid is distilled which drops into the cup.

These plants come from Demerara. They are found growing on the outside branches of trees, where they get all the light possible. They will thrive on blocks of wood, also in baskets or pots. If grown on blocks they require some good live sphagnum moss about their roots; if in baskets or pots, a little rough fibrous peat and charcoal mixed together will suit them, but they must have ample drainage as they require a good supply of water in their growing season. When at rest they should get just enough water to keep the bulbs in a plump state. We have found the warm end of the Cattleya house to suit them. These Coryanths require a good deal of care to grow them well. We used, some years ago, to grow fine specimens and exhibit them, and they were always a source of great attraction.

They are propagated by dividing the plants, leaving several old bulbs at the back of the leading one. This should be done just after they have started into growth. They must be kept free from insects which are apt to injure the young leaves as they are thin in texture. Sometimes thrips and red spiders will attack them, but they must be quickly exterminated.

Lælia purpurata.—A very fine spike of flower of this most beautiful and chaste Orchid was received by us from J. Buchanan, Esq., of Edinburgh. This plant has its sepals and petals quite flat, and holds them so till the last, whereas many of the purpuratas curl up a little after they have been open a short time. The sepals and petals are white, with a broad finely-coloured dark lip, of which the front portion is rich crimson-magenta, and the basal part paler and distinctly veined, the throat being yellow, beautifully veined with dark crimson. Each flower measured as much as seven inches across, the petals being two inches across. Mr. Grossart, the gardener, says, the flowers show well up above the foliage, which gives it a most striking appearance among the other varieties.—B. S. W.

PL. 99. DENDROBIUM FARMERII AUREUM.

DENDROBIUM FARMERII AUREUM.
[[Plate 99].]
Native of India: Moulmein.

Epiphytal. Stems short, clavate, with a thickened bulbiform base, jointed, deeply furrowed, the internodes almost wholly covered by membranaceous sheaths, bearing leaves at the apex. Leaves two or four, lanceolate, ovate, coriaceous, dark shining green. Racemes many-flowered, drooping, lateral, proceeding from near the top of the stem, just beneath the leaves, the pale green pedicels with a small concave ovate bract at their base. Flowers bright golden yellow, showy; sepals oblong-ovate, bluntish, spreading, of a clear bright golden yellow; petals of the some colour, much broader, roundish-ovate, almost meeting at the edges; lip concave, roundish, subunguiculate, with a small blunt spur behind, pubescent on the upper surface, and denticulate at the edge, of a deep rich orange-yellow, which contrasts agreeably with the lighter and brighter yellow of the outer perianth segments. Column small, pale yellow.

Dendrobium Farmerii aureum, supra.

Here we have a most charming Orchid, and one that blooms very freely on short bulbs or stems. The plant is of less vigorous habit than certain other of the varieties of D. Farmerii, some of which grow as vigorously as D. densiflorum. Indeed, excepting by cultivators who are well acquainted with the plants, it is a most difficult matter to distinguish them readily from each other. The plant we now describe and illustrate is a yellow-flowered variety of D. Farmerii, the typical form of which has pinkish sepals and petals and a rich yellow lip. It is a very lovely species. Our drawing of this rare variety was taken from a plant in the Victoria Nursery, Upper Holloway, where we have had the different forms flowering during the months of May and June, many of them growing on a back wall on blocks of wood, and producing a fine effect with their spikes of yellow blossoms hanging over the foliage. Even when grown in pots or baskets they have a pleasing effect, and take but little space.

Dendrobium Farmerii aureum is a compact evergreen species from Moulmein. It grows about ten inches high, with dark green shining foliage. The flower spikes proceed from the top of the old bulb stems, and are sometimes ten inches in length. The sepals and petals are bright golden yellow, and the lip rich orange. The plant blooms during March, April, and May, and lasts about a fortnight in perfection.

We have found the plants do well in the India House, under the same treatment as D. Farmerii itself. If grown in a pot give good drainage by filling the pot three parts full with crocks, adding a little rough fibrous peat and a small quantity of charcoal mixed with it, so that the plants may be well elevated above the rim, and thus be enabled to throw out their roots freely, while at the same time the water may pass off quickly. If they are grown in baskets, the same treatment may be given. A little water at the roots will suffice, as these plants do not like too much moisture. The soil must be kept moist during the growing season, but in their resting season only just sufficient must be given to keep their bulbs and leaves plump. As soon as they begin to show flower more water may be supplied in order to encourage the spikes to come out more freely. If grown on a block a little live sphagnum moss should be placed about their roots, and this must be kept moist during the growing season. When they are at rest a little less quantity will do until they commence to show their flowers.

Mr. Warner’s Orchids.—Those who wish to see Odontoglossums and Masdevallias grown and flowered as they should be, should pay a visit to the renowned collection of Orchids at Broomfield, Chelmsford. After having inspected the principal collections both in Europe and America, we have not the slightest hesitation in saying that this is one of the finest displays of flowering Orchids ever brought together. These Odontoglossums are grown by the thousand, Mr. Warner having sent a collector to New Grenada, a few years ago, to select and bring home the best varieties. This has resulted in getting together a collection of about 12,000 Odontoglots, comprising all the best species and varieties known to cultivators. On entering the Odontoglossum house we were enchanted with the sight before us. Let the reader imagine a large house sixty feet long by sixteen feet wide, with a centre and two side tables, literally crammed with flowering Orchids, consisting of hundreds of spikes of Odontoglossums and Masdevallias, intermixed with a profusion of the beautiful Epidendrum vitellinum majus and other Orchids, and he will form some idea of the magnitude of this show. Leaving the Odontoglossum house we entered the Masdevallia house, where there was also a grand display, among which we noticed particularly M. Harryana atrosanguinea, a fine form with large crimson-magenta flowers, measuring two and a half inches long by two inches broad; M. Dennisoniana, with richly coloured flowers, two and a half by two and a quarter inches; and M. Harryana longiflora, a variety with immense flowers, having blossoms three inches by two and a half of a rosy magenta colour, faintly striped with a darker tint of the same colour. In addition to these, there was another house about forty feet long filled with flowering Odontoglossums, Masdevallias, and other things, a perfect fairyland as viewed from the door. Leaving this house, we came to the Cattleya house where, although the collection of these plants is not large, there are nevertheless some fine varieties in bloom, more especially of Lælia purpurata and the ever varying Cattleya Mossiæ. Altogether we were highly delighted with our visit, and greatly appreciated the hospitality of our host.—H. W.

PL. 100. LYCASTE HARRISONIÆ EBURNEA.

LYCASTE HARRISONIÆ EBURNEA.
[[Plate 100].]
Native of Brazil.

Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs ovate, tetragonal, furrowed, monophyllous, the young ones sheathed with brown membranaceous bracts. Leaves broadly lanceolate acute, narrowed to the base, strongly ribbed or plicate, rigid, dark green. Raceme two-flowered, radical, erect, shorter than the leaves, the peduncle furnished with appressed bracts. Flowers large end attractive, nearly three inches across; sepals ivory-white, waxy in texture; dorsal one oblong, obtuse, broader upwards, somewhat incurved, the lateral ones spreading horizontally, falcato-oblong, the lower side produced so as to cover the spur of the lip; petals obovate, about as long as the dorsal sepal, of an ivory-white wax-like appearance and stout fleshy texture; lip large, erect, narrowed at the base where it is enclosed by the lateral sepals, broader upwards, three-lobed: lateral lobes incurved and meeting the column, which they exceed, the margin with one or two broadish lobes primrose-yellow, covered with strongly marked forked reddish purple veins: front lobe smaller, oblong obtuse, recurved, undulated, white, with a few finer purple veins at the edge; disk with a broad orange-yellow hairy crest, which is blunt and much thickened in front. Column adnate for much of its length, and meeting the base of all the petals and sepals, the free portion incurved, semiterete.

Lycaste Harrisoniæ eburnea, Moore, supra.

We trust that the illustration we have now the pleasure to submit to our readers, may be the means of inducing Orchid Growers to take up the cultivation of the plants of this family for decorative purposes more than is done at the present time. They produce fine handsome flowers, and such kinds as L. Skinneri are most useful for winter decoration. There is a fine plate representing L. Skinneri in Mr. Warner’s Select Orchidaceous Plants, in which the light and dark coloured varieties are well shown. There are among them many distinct and varied colours, and they are all free blooming, lasting for six weeks in beauty; indeed, when grown in a cool house, they continue still longer in perfection. Some persons object to the Lycastes on account of the stiff rigid form of their flowers, while other cultivators selecting the best forms and varieties, find in them a source of much gratification. W. Lee, Esq., of Leatherhead, has some wonderful varieties of the L. Skinneri type, some of them dark red, others mauve-pink or pure white, and there are besides various other shades of colour; these all blooming at the same time, and intermixed with plants of graceful foliage, produce the decorative effect that one looks for in our orchid houses.

The plant our plate represents belongs to a different species, L. Harrisoniæ, one of the older of cultivated Orchids. The drawing was taken from a specimen bloomed and exhibited by ourselves at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Show at South Kensington in April last, and which was deservedly awarded a First Class Certificate for its ivory white flowers with a slight pencilling of purple on the lip. The typical L. Harrisoniæ although one of the oldest inhabitants of our stoves is well worth cultivating more extensively; it has creamy white flowers, with a purplish lilac lip, the flowers being larger, and the plant more robust in growth than in the present variety, eburnea, which, however, blooms more freely and retains the purity of its whiteness for some time. There are some yellow-flowered species, such as L. cruenta and L. aromatica, which are worth growing for their colour and fragrance.

Lycaste Harrisoniæ eburnea is an evergreen plant eight inches in height, with deep green foliage; the flower spikes proceed from the base of the pseudobulb and are about six inches in length. The sepals and petals are of pure ivory-white, and the lip is also white faintly striped with crimson; the throat yellow, striped with purplish red. It blooms during April and May, and lasts for several weeks in flower.

We have found this plant do well at the cool end of the Cattleya house. A cooler situation even than this will do. It must be potted in rough fibrous peat, with good drainage, and must be well elevated above the pot so that its roots can work about the soil. A little charcoal intermixed with the peat helps to keep the soil open; moreover, the roots like to cling to it, and it prevents the material from becoming sour. This plant will also do well in a basket suspended from the roof, as it likes a considerable amount of light to ripen its bulbs and foliage; this causes it to grow stronger and flower more freely. It requires the same treatment as L. Skinneri as regards watering during the growing season, but when at rest must be kept drier.

Orchids at Upper Holloway.—We were much gratified, when recently calling at the Victoria Nursery, to see the excellent condition of the Orchids generally, and the fine display of flowers. Some of Mr. Williams’ Orchid houses are provided with a vestibule, which, from its contiguity to the outer atmosphere and the frequently open doorway, is cooler and drier than the growing houses attached, and into these the blooming plants are brought for display, with the result that they are thus kept much longer in a state of beauty. The stock here is large and in first-rate condition, as, indeed, one would expect it to be in the hands of so skilful a grower. The plan of shading adopted in this establishment is much to be commended; the canvas, which is of a special construction, is so fixed that it is kept quite clear of the glass, and a space is thus provided through which the air is constantly passing. In the case of cool Orchids this is of great importance, as it acts so as to moderate any excess of summer heat. We were much pleased to see that Mr. Williams’ large specimen plants, now in flower, are legitimately “grown on” and not “made up” as has lately been much the fashion, a practice which, it may be hoped, the rule now adopted at some exhibitions, to the effect that “made up” plants will disqualify, will put an end to. Many fine species were in bloom, but as the object of this note is not to make a catalogue of them, we will only add that the Cattleyas, Vandas, Odontoglots, and Masdevallias were blooming very freely and were represented by many finely grown specimens.—T. M.

PL. 101. ODONTOGLOSSUM LEEANUM.

ODONTOGLOSSUM LEEANUM.
[[Plate 101].]
Native of New Grenada.

Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs ovate obtuse, nearly two inches long, pea-green, compressed, diphyllous. Leaves oblong-ligulate, acute, channelled towards the base. Scape radical, produced in the axil of a leaf investing the base of the pseudobulb, and terminating in an erect many-flowered raceme, furnished with small ovate bracts at the base of the pedicels, and having a few more elongated bracts below. Flowers stellate, about three and a half inches across, handsomely spotted; sepals slightly wavy, lanceolate, attenuately acuminate, narrowed to the base, clear bright yellow, deeper at the tips, dotted all over with rather small brownish crimson spots, which are here and there somewhat larger, those towards the apical part being less crowded by the smaller spots, the dorsal sepal with three red lines at the base; petals similar in form and colour, the larger less crowded spots being more evident, and the base marked by three lines of red; lip ovate-lanceolate, about two-thirds the length of the sepals, attenuated at the apex, bright yellow, deeper at the base, where there are a few red streaks, and with a large brownish crimson blotch towards the front, and a few marginal spots, the disk appressed to the column at the base, and bearing a thick linear keel, which extends into two rhomboidal toothletted lamellæ. Column sulphur-yellow, with a few reddish-brown spots, and a pair of falcate subulate ears or wings at the apex.

Odontoglossum Leeanum, Reichenbach fil., in Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S., xvii. 525; xix. 694.

This is one of the most distinct Odontoglots that has come under our notice; and its prettily-spotted flowers are so attractive that every grower will be anxious to procure it. We believe, however, that the plant from which our drawing was made, is the only one known at the present time. It is in the possession of W. Lee, Esq., Downside, Leatherhead, in whose honour it has been named, and who is very fortunate in being the possessor of such a gem. There is little doubt of its being a natural hybrid. The plant was imported along with many others, none of which, however, have produced flowers approaching it in beauty.

Odontoglossum Leeanum is of evergreen habit, with pseudobulbs about two inches high, of a pea-green colour. The leaves also are of a lively light green colour, and about ten inches in length. The sepals and petals are of a pale yellow margined with orange, and spotted with rich red-brown, the lip yellow, also spotted with the same colour. It blooms during the winter months, and lasts for several weeks in beauty, forming a most effective contrast to the white flowers of O. Alexandræ and O. Pescatorei. The plant requires the same treatment as the two species just named, and blooms in the same way.

We paid a visit to the Downside collection of Orchids in June of the present year, and were greatly surprised to see the progress that had been made as regards the erection of new houses for each section of Orchids, and the pains and trouble which had been taken to make each house complete as regards ventilation, stages, and tanks for the reception of rain-water; even the paths are made to do their part towards the growth of the plants, as well as to provide for the comfort of those who have to do the work, as well as of the visitors, who may walk on them without wetting their feet, a paving brick with a scored surface being used, so that the water thrown down remains in the depressions of the surface, and gives off by evaporation a continuous supply of moisture to the atmosphere, which is what the plants require in the summer season when in full growth.

There was one long house filled with Masdevallias in grand beauty—a glorious sight, embracing all the best species and varieties that can be procured. Close by was the Odontoglossum house, with the plants on the side tables one mass of bloom; and besides these, there was a fine lot of Odontoglots, including some good forms, blooming in full beauty, in another house. Here also was the finest Cattleya house we have yet seen, there being many hundreds of flowers, consisting of Cattleya Mossiæ, of which there were some of the grandest varieties we have met with; also some fine examples of C. Warnerii, rich in colour, intermixed with C. Mendelii in variety, C. gigas, with its bold richly coloured flowers, and many fine specimens of Lælia purpurata in full beauty. In the same house was a fine lot of specimen Vandas, placed on the centre table, they were in fine health, and with their graceful foliage towering above them, and their distinctly-coloured flowers, altogether formed a pleasing contrast to the Cattleyas.

The India house was gay with species of Aërides and Saccolabium, among which were some very rare ones, too numerous to mention. There was also a fine house devoted to Phalænopsis, as well as one for Dendrobes, many of which were in bloom. Next to these was a structure devoted to a good collection of Lycaste Skinneri, and other kinds that require the same treatment. Much credit is due to Mr. Lee’s gardener, Mr. Woolford, for the great interest he takes in maintaining the health of the plants under his care.

Mr. Percival’s Cattleyas.—We have received from R. P. Percival, Esq. of Southport, a box containing a fine series of Cattleya Mossiæ, C. Mendelii, &c. Mr. Percival informs us that he has now (June) as many as three hundred and thirty-six blossoms of C. Mossiæ open; and taking the flowers sent us as a sample, they are of a very fine strain, and must present a gorgeous coup d’œil in the Orchid house. Accompanying the Cattleyas was a grand spike of Odontoglossum vexillarium splendens, with very large flowers fine in form and deep in colour.—B. S. W.

PL. 102. PLEIONE HUMILIS TRICOLOR.

PLEIONE HUMILIS TRICOLOR.
[[Plate 102].]
Native of the Indian Alps.

Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs lagæniform or bottle-shaped, that is, ovate with the neck narrowed, at the flowering period leafless. Leaves produced subsequently to the flowers, oblong-oblanceolate, five-nerved, membranaceo-herbaceous, of a dark green colour, paler beneath, the base enclosed in a tubular sheath. Peduncles short, one-flowered, furnished with sheathing bracts, the upper of which is oblong-lanceolate, petaloid, longer than the ovary, and becoming at length contracted, leaving the peduncle exposed. Flowers proportionately large, showy, four inches across and three inches deep, produced before the leaves are developed; sepals narrow-lanceolate, spreading, and of a delicate blush or pale rosy purple tint; petals similar in form and colour, recurved; lip large, obovate, emarginate, closely frilled at the edge, and distinctly fringed with long hair-like teeth, sulphur-yellow, the central portion having about six longitudinal fimbriated veins, alternating with a corresponding number of pale tawny brown lines, the broad margin wavered by irregular divergent bars and blotches of the same colour. Column free, erect, winged.

Pleione humilis tricolor, Reichenbach fil. MS.

Pleione is a small genus, an offshoot of Cælogyne, distinguished, perhaps, mainly by habit, which we are pleased to bring before our readers, since the species form a charming group of dwarf-growing free-blooming plants, easy of cultivation, and blossoming at a time—autumn and winter—when flowers are most useful. They may, indeed, be grown on a shelf in any warm house. Several of them are very beautiful in colour, such as P. Wallichiana, which is of a deep rose; P. Reichenbachiana, lilac-purple and magenta; P. maculata, white and crimson; P. lagenaria, mauve and white; besides which there are several others of almost equal beauty. In those we have here mentioned, however, we get a charming contrast, and they flower about the same time. In their native country the Pleiones are called Indian Crocuses, a very appropriate name for them, as they are low-growing and destitute of leaves when flowering. In our houses this apparent defect can be met by intermixing them amongst Ferns, setting their flowers just above, and the Ferns as a carpet or border for them. The variety of P. humilis, figured in the accompanying plate, is a most beautiful one, which was bloomed at the Victoria and Paradise Nurseries, and was named by Professor Reichenbach. It is quite distinct from those already mentioned, and it blooms very freely in winter, which makes it a desirable plant for cultivation.

Pleione humilis tricolor is of dwarf deciduous habit, with dark green foliage, attaining about six inches high, which is cast off after the growth is completed: these leaves have about five principal nerves, with five intermediate ones extending from the base to the apex. The flowers proceed from the base of the curious flask-shaped pseudobulbs, and grow on scapes about three inches high, the flowers being large in proportion to their stature. The sepals and petals are of a pale rose colour, while the lip is pale yellow, distinctly spotted with dull brownish orange. The blossoms are produced during January and February, and last about two or three weeks in beauty. This plant is best grown in a pot with good drainage, of which, in the first place, the pots should be half filled; then mix some good fibrous loam and peat, with a little sphagnum moss and sand, and use this as a compost. They must have a good supply of water during the growing season, but when the pseudobulbs have matured their growth, they must be kept nearly dry until they show signs of flowering, when a little moisture will help them to swell. After the blossoms have faded, they require potting into fresh material, when they will soon begin to grow, and send new roots into the fresh soil. We always pot them afresh every year, since they lose all their roots. If requisite, several bulbs may be placed in a pot on the top of the soil. They must never be over-potted, indeed, we think they look better in small pots.

All the kinds we have mentioned require the same treatment, and will do well in a cool part of the East India house. We grow them in the Cattleya house, but they must be near the glass, and shaded from the bright sun, which soon affects their foliage, and if this happens, the bulbs will not be so plump and vigorous, and the result will be that the flowers will not be either so fine, or so numerous, or so well-coloured.

Vanda teres.—We recently received from J. Broome, Esq., Wood Lawn, Didsbury, Manchester, some fine spikes of blossoms of this most beautiful Vanda, and were surprised to hear that the plant had borne over two hundred and fifty flowers. What a glorious spectacle! On one of the spikes there were five of these charming flowers, each measuring three inches across. We saw this plant last year, and a most wonderful old specimen it is. It is trained cylindrically, and forms a grand massive plant, curious, withal, on account of its terete dark green climbing stems, thinly clothed with leaves, which are also terete, and of the same colour. No doubt it is one of the most distinct-looking of Orchids, and one, moreover, that few growers succeed in flowering well. It requires to be grown vigorously, with all the light that can be given to it in the growing season, during which period it should be well supplied with moisture. When at rest in winter it should have very little water, but should receive all the light and sun that can be secured for it, in order to cause the stems to ripen. When it shows signs of flowering, water may be supplied in order to induce the plant to throw out its flower-spikes more freely and with greater vigour.—B. S. W.

PL. 103. DENDROBIUM DRACONIS.

DENDROBIUM DRACONIS.
[[Plate 103].]
Native of Moulmein, Siam, and Cochin China.

Epiphytal. Stems robust, jointed, the internodes nearly covered by the sheathing base of the leaves, striate, nigro-hirsute, about a foot in height. Leaves leathery, dark green, oblong-lanceolate, about three inches long, obliquely notched at the apex. Flowers in short three to five-flowered racemes, terminal or borne in the axils of the upper leaves, conspicuous from their fine ivory-white colour and distinct eye; sepals lanceolate, acute, entire, spreading, the dorsal one erect; petals also pure white, broader, ovate-lanceolate, spreading, the tips often recurved; lip three-lobed, the lateral lobes short, roundish-ovate, white, pencilled with cinnabar-red, the middle lobe three times longer, elongate-oblong, apiculate, the veins thickened, the margins crenulate and undulated, the disk minutely downy, and like the lateral lobes marked with a tuft of longitudinal cinnabar-red lines; spur funnel-shaped, horizontal, about equalling the sepals. Column short, greenish.

Dendrobium Draconis, Reichenbach fil., Botanische Zeitung, 1862, 214; Id., Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S., xix., 598.

Dendrobium eburneum, Parish MS.; Bateman, in Botanical Magazine, t. 5459; Id., Second Century of Orchidaceous Plants, t. 166; André, Revue Horticole, 1883, 132, with coloured plate.

Some confusion in reference to the name of this handsome Dendrobe has arisen in gardens where it has for about twenty years been known as Dendrobium eburneum. This name, a MS. one of the Rev. C. P. S. Parish, was attached to it in the Botanical Magazine for 1864, and by mistake attributed to Professor Reichenbach, who had published the name D. Draconis for the same plant in the Botanische Zeitung for 1862. The name Draconis, of course, takes precedence.

The plant which we now introduce to our readers under its correct name, is a most beautiful Indian Dendrobe, one which is quite distinct in growth, belonging to the nigro-hirsute group of which Dendrobium formosum is an example; it is, however, smaller, and a much better grower, and, in fact, more closely resembles D. infundibulum and D. Jamesianum, both in its habit and its flowers, which are produced very freely, as may be seen from the faithful representation of the plum and flowers which our artist has made. The drawing was taken from a specimen which bloomed in the Victoria and Paradise Nurseries, one of a large importation we received last year as D. eburneum, the true name of which, on submitting flowers to Professor Reichenbach, we learned to be D. Draconis. We have subsequently bloomed others with much larger flowers. It will become a most valuable plant for decoration, as its blossoms last so long after being cut, and being white it will be always in request.

Dendrobium Draconis grows about a foot in height. It is an evergreen plant, with dark hairy stems, producing deep green foliage and short racemes of flowers. The sepals and petals are pure ivory-white, and the lip is also white, with a bright vermilion throat. It flowers in May, June, and July, and lasts about six weeks.

This plant does well in pans or pots suspended from the roof of the East India house, near the light, as like all the Dendrobes it requires all the light possible in order to ripen its stems, but the burning sun must be kept from it. We have grown it in the stove hanging under a plant of Stephanotis, where there is little shade from the foliage of the Stephanotis, and with this treatment it has bloomed very freely. The best potting material for it consists of rough fibrous peat and sphagnum moss, with a liberal supply of water at the roots in the growing season. When the growth is completed give just enough to keep the stems in a plump state. It will grow either in pots or baskets suspended from the roof, and also on blocks of wood with live sphagnum moss about the roots, but under the latter circumstances when in vigorous growth the plants will require more water and attention.

Orchids at Sandringham, the residence of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales.—A short time since we paid a visit to Mr. Penny to see the Orchids at Sandringham, and were much struck with the many fine specimens we saw in bloom, the mass of flowers on some of them, and the colour and size of the blossoms; they gave one the idea of being well cared for. Mr. Penny is quite an enthusiast among good plants, and appears to have selected some most beautiful species and varieties of the Orchid family, especially among the forms of Odontoglossum Alexandræ and O. Pescatorei, the fine drooping spikes of which are cut and sent to the Princess, who is a great admirer of them as decorations, intermixed with the bright Epidendrum vitellinum majus and Masdevallias, of which there is here also a well-grown set of plants. The Epidendrum vitellinum majus was conspicuous for its large spikes of bright orange-scarlet flowers; and we saw some splendid varieties of Masdevallia, with fine bright colours and large flowers. We noticed some well-grown plants of Odontoglossum vexillarium, with the flowers five inches across, and good in colour; Cattleya Mossiæ in good bloom, some of the flowers measuring eight inches across, of fine substance, shape, and colour; fine plants of C. Mendelii and C. gigas; some good plants of Lælia anceps, promising well for bloom in the autumn; and well-grown plants of L. anceps Dawsoni. This choice collection includes many other good Orchids grown for the purpose of cutting and used for decorating the mansion. The great aim of Mr. Penny is to grow those kinds that are most useful and lasting for that purpose. We quite fall in with him in this respect, as there are no flowers that are better adapted for decorative purposes than those Orchids which last long after being cut.—B. S. W.

PL. 104. ONCIDIUM FORBESII.

ONCIDIUM FORBESII.
[[Plate 104].]
Native of Brazil.

Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs oblong obtuse, compressed, sulcate, two inches long, of a dull brownish green, each bearing one leaf from the apex. Leaves lanceolate acute, leathery, eight to ten inches long. Scape radical, bearing a many-flowered panicle. Flowers large, numerous, very showy, measuring about two and a half inches in both directions, handsomely marked; sepals obovate, recurved, about an inch long, deep chestnut brown, with indistinct transverse bands and marginal indications of yellow, the lateral ones connate; petals larger, about an inch and a half long, and an inch and a quarter wide, roundish-obovate, the margin undulate, the base suddenly narrowed into a claw, the central parts wholly deep glossy chestnut-red, the edge for about a quarter of an inch in width yellow, closely marked by short irregular transverse bars of chestnut-red; lip with a longish narrow claw, and large transversely reniform deeply bilobed front segment, an inch and three fourths broad, which is coloured like the petals, the claw spotted with yellow and red, crested, the crests usually consisting of five rugged equidistant warts, the two middle of which are sometimes wanting. Column with small angulate wings, banded with lines of violet.

Oncidium Forbesii, Hooker, Botanical Magazine, t. 3705; Lindley, Folia Orchidacea, art. Oncidium, No. 60; Williams, Orchid Grower’s Manual, 5 ed., 254.

The genus Oncidium is a very large one, and there are many species well known in cultivation, but the one we now illustrate belongs to a section in which there are few that are so distinct in colour. The flowers are not so large as in O. crispum, of which there are many distinct varieties, differing in size and colour—variations which often depend on the vigour of the plants. The same may be said of O. Forbesii, the stronger the bulbs the finer the blossoms. Our sketch was taken from a well-grown plant in the collection of E. Bonny, Esq., Downs Park Road, Hackney, who is forming a choice collection of Orchids.

Oncidium Forbesii is an evergreen species, with pseudobulbs of a greenish brown colour; the foliage is of a dark green, and the flowers are chestnut-brown, with the sepals and petals irregularly margined with bright lemon-yellow. It blooms at different times of the year, and lasts for several weeks in perfection. We find the plants do well in small pans or baskets, and also on blocks of wood. When grown in pans or baskets we have found them grow freely in good fibrous peat, with pieces of charcoal on the top of the peat, as they like to work their roots in among the charcoal, and should have plenty of drainage, and but very little peat earth. When cultivated on blocks they require more water in the growing than in the resting season.

These plants are not long-lived under our artificial treatment. There is something wanted that we do not or cannot supply, and hence it is difficult to keep them for any long period in a thriving condition. They seem, indeed, to wear themselves out by over-flowering or other causes which are very difficult to find out. The same thing happens in the case of some other Orchids. The bulbs of these plants should, if possible, be kept from shrivelling. They often seem inclined to shrivel after they have bloomed freely, and sometimes they lose their roots, especially when they have their flower-spikes left on too long. If the plant is not in a vigorous condition, it should not be allowed to bloom. We find they do best at the coolest end of the Cattleya house, kept as near to the glass as possible, but shaded from the hot sun, with sufficient water to keep them moist during the growing season.

Insects should be assiduously kept in check, for cleanliness is a great point in the culture of all Orchids. The plants are subject to the attacks of white scale and thrips. In all cases every effort should be made to keep the roots of the plants from being eaten off, as this would soon cause the bulbs to shrivel and the plants to dwindle away.

Mr. Bull’s Exhibition of Orchids.—We have been particularly pleased with this grand Exhibition. We thus see what the perseverance, courage, and enterprise of one man can do in bringing together a magnificent show of these gorgeous flowers for the gratification of the public—a show which enables them without any personal inconvenience to gaze upon and admire the wonderful floral products of distant lands. Indeed, even if the visitors to Mr. Bull’s exhibition had travelled to their native habitats, they could not have seen the plants under the same advantages, for many of them grow on high trees and rocks almost out of sight, and the different genera are nowhere to be found associated, except artificially, as Mr. Bull has them in his Orchid house. There in the month of June we saw some thousands of blossoms of different kinds of Cattleya, Odontoglossum, Oncidium, Lælia, Vanda, Masdevallia, Anguloa, Epidendrum, Sobralia, Cypripedium, Aërides, Saccolabium, Dendrobium, Phajus, Cœlgyne, Brassia, Calanthe, Chysis, Cymbidium, Disa, Lycaste, Maxillaria, Phalænopsis, Sophronitis, Thunia, and various other genera, groups of each kind being in many cases arranged in masses of different colours; the whole being intermixed with Ferns, Palms, and other fine foliaged plants, the combined effect was grand in the extreme—as those persons who know Orchids will readily imagine, while those who are not acquainted with their varied forms and lovely colours would not possibly be able to form any idea of the wonderful display of beauty produced by such an arrangement of such materials. We often see when there are Orchids at Flower Shows that the visitors flock around them, admiring their beauties of form and colour, but in the flower tent such a glorious and gorgeous effect as that produced by Mr. Bull’s display is never realized. We could say much more in respect to this Exhibition, but space will not permit.—B. S. W.

PL. 105. MASDEVALLIA HARRYANA ATROSANGUINEA.

MASDEVALLIA HARRYANA ATROSANGUINEA.
[[Plate 105].]
Native of New Grenada.

Epiphytal. Stems slender, short, tufted. Leaves persistent, leathery in texture, with a nerveless elongate oblong-spathulate obtuse or somewhat acute blade, which is channelled at the base, keeled behind, of a dark green colour, narrowed downwards into a short petiole, three to four inches long, grooved in front, and invested at the base by long membranous brownish sheaths. Scape erect, about a foot high, striately pencilled with purple, furnished with a few appressed sheathing bracts, bearing a solitary flower at the top. Flowers richly-coloured and strikingly handsome; tube a quarter of an inch wide and three-quarters of an inch long, dull orange-yellow stained with rosy purple in front, the mouth more closed than in some other forms; dorsal sepal upwards of two inches long, narrow nearly to the base, filiform upwards; lateral sepals deflexed, broadly and obliquely flacate-lanceolate, acuminate, two and a half inches long, and nearly an inch wide, of a rich glowing crimson flushed with magenta; petals and lip small, hidden at the base of the tube.

Masdevallia Harryana atrosanguinea, Hort. Williams.

Of the genus Masdevallia a few years ago there were but a very limited number of species known in cultivation, but it is now becoming a very comprehensive one, thanks to the perseverance or our energetic collectors, who have striven hard to bring the plants home, and have in a great measure succeeded, although with many of them the task of importation has been very difficult.

The variety we now bring before our readers is one of the best forms of the Masdevallia Harryana group. The figure was taken from a fine plant in the collection of R. Warner, Esq., Broomfield, who is a most successful grower of Masdevallias, and blooms them with fine flowers and brilliant colours. They are cultivated in pits after they have bloomed in summer, and in autumn are brought back into the Odontoglossum house, where they complete their growth and bloom in spring. They require rough fibrous peat and sphagnum moss, and a good supply of water nearly all the year round. They must never get dry, as they are found in shady places, where the atmosphere is always moist. We find them to succeed well with the same treatment as Odontoglossum Alexandræ, but not in so cool a temperature as some growers keep these plants in. They do not, however, like to be kept too close, so that a little air must always be given, avoiding cold draughts, which are injurious to all Orchids, whether grown in cool or warm houses. The rule applies in this respect in both cases.

As regards shading none of these plants like the hot sun, but they need all the light that can be given them, without exposing them to bright sunshine. The blinds ought never to be let down when there is no sun, as the shade will draw them up dwindling and weakly, whereas if they have plenty of light they grow robust, and bring better flowers of a finer colour. This is the case with those at Broomfield, as Mr. Warner uses a very thin shading, and being in a fine open country place they get the pure air and clear light which is so beneficial to them. We believe the plants delight in this treatment, for we do not often see them doing so well in close places or in large towns as when they are located a few miles in the country. Most Orchids, indeed, thrive, fairly well in towns, provided their wants are attended to, but the treatment of course should be different, as when grown in close places they require more ventilation, and all the light that can be secured, whereas when grown in a country place like Broomfield, observation and experience must decide as to the necessities of the locality and its surroundings. Even then the cultivator requires much practice and forethought, in order to produce the best results, especially as the temperature varies so much in different situations: for instance, when, on the one hand, the houses are on a high hill exposed to all weathers, or, on the other hand, are in a sheltered spot on a hill-side, or in a valley, in all which localities there will be experienced considerable differences of temperature and light. The sun, moreover, varies in power. Orchid growers should find out the peculiarities of place and climate in which they are placed, and act accordingly. This is one of the great secrets in the successful cultivation of all plants, not of Orchids only; and in order to ensure success, all those points must be studied and acted on. Many growers are fully aware of these requirements, but others are not so well informed.

Masdevallias are free-growing and free-rooting plants, and are easily increased by dividing the tufts just as they are about to make their growth; but it must not be expected that these will flower well until they get established, which they will do best in small pots after being divided. The second year the growth will be stronger and as they get established larger pots may be given to them as required. Rough fibrous peat, sphagnum moss, and good drainage should be given, and the roots must be kept moist. Insects should be kept under. They are subject to attacks of green fly on their young growths and flower spikes, and of thrips on the leaves, which must be kept under, or the growth will be crippled.

PL. 106. MAXILLARIA LUTEO-ALBA.

MAXILLARIA LUTEO-ALBA.
[[Plate 106].]
Native of Colombia.

Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs large, about two and a half inches high, ovate obtuse, compressed, clustered, bearing at the apex a solitary leaf. Leaves stalked by the folding of the basal portion, oblong obtuse, a foot long or more, of a dark green colour. Peduncles radical, about half the length of the leaves, invested throughout with green sheathing bracts. Flowers large and peculiar in form, triangular in outline, and measuring about six inches from the top of the dorsal to the top of the lateral sepal, brownish externally; dorsal sepal linear-oblong, acute, three inches long, of a tawny yellow in the upper two-thirds of its length, the basal third white, lateral sepals of the same form, size, and colours, but twisted; petals two, erect, or somewhat projecting like two horns, ovate oblong, about half as long as the sepals, white at the base, with a few splashes of purple, yellow at the tip, with a blotch of pale brown of about equal size between; lip concave at the base, hairy, the margins undulated, three-lobed, the lobes obtuse, the lateral ones short, erect, yellow, striped with purple, the front one oblong, emarginate, recurved, the central portion convex, yellow, the margins paler, whitish. Column short, curved, creamy-white.

Maxillaria luteo-alba, Lindley, Orchidaceæ Lindenianæ, 20; Reichenbach fil., in Walpers’ Annales Botanices Systematiceæ, vi., 516; Id. Bonplandia, ii., 15, 280.

The Maxillarias form a genus of Orchids not much appreciated by many growers, but of late there has been greater variety introduced among them, and they are becoming more popular in cultivation. Some of the better and more showy kinds are quite worth bringing before our readers, as they are free-growing plants, and most of them may be kept along with the cool Orchids.

Our figure of Maxillaria luteo-alba was taken from a plant we flowered at Holloway, and exhibited at one of the meetings of the Royal Horticultural Society, and for which we were awarded a First Class Certificate. We bloomed it many years ago, but we found that Orchid growers of the present day had many of them not seen it. We find it very useful for cutting purposes, as it flowers when the plants are small, which in our opinion is far better than making large specimens. When they get too large we cut them into several pieces, and grow them on again for blooming. The flowers having stalks about six inches long, may be cut without damaging the plants; they are extremely useful for button-hole bouquets, which are so much in request at the present day.

Maxillaria luteo-alba is an evergreen plant, with dark green foliage, and grows about eighteen inches high. The flowers proceed from the base of the pseudobulbs at different times of the year. The sepals and petals are of a yellowish brown, and the lip yellow margined with white, the throat being striped with purple.

We find this species succeeds well in the cool house, with Odontoglossum Alexandræ; good fibrous peat suits it well, and it requires good drainage, with a liberal supply of water at the roots when it is in vigorous growth, as it is a free-rooting plant. After the growth is completed it should have only sufficient water to keep the pseudobulbs in a fresh plump state. A little shade is beneficial to the foliage of the plant in summer, but it should be grown as fully exposed to the light and as near to the glass as possible. Under this treatment it will be found to grow freely.

Renanthera Lowii.—This noble plant, also known as Vanda Lowii, has bloomed very finely in the collection of Baron Alphonse de Rothschild, at Ferrières, near Paris, this being the finest and best grown specimen we have seen. The main stem is about six feet high, with four growths from it, and every leaf is perfect, which is rarely the case. It bore eleven of its charming pendulous spikes or racemes of flowers, each spike extended to the length of nine feet; it had a noble appearance. with its reddish brown flowers, marked by irregular lines of greenish yellow; but the most curious part connected with the inflorescence of this plant is, that at the base it produces two blossoms of a tawny yellow, spotted with crimson, quite dissimilar from the others. The plant in question is a most remarkable one, and we may say that it is the finest specimen we have had the good fortune to behold. Great credit is due to Mr. Bergman for the production of such a specimen. The eleven spikes were, we understand, cut and sent to the Baroness in London. Gardening is well carried on at Ferrières; every department is well kept. There are many thousands of plants grown for purposes of decoration, which is kept up through the whole year. The mansion is a splendid structure, and the grounds are beautifully laid out, abounding with fine trees, and provided with lakes. In fact, it is one of the finest and best kept garden establishments we have seen, and great praise is due to those who have the management of it.—B. S. W.

PL. 107. SACCOLABIUM CURVIFOLIUM.

SACCOLABIUM CURVIFOLIUM.
[[Plate 107].]
Native of India (Nepal and Birmah) and Ceylon.

Epiphytal. Stem dwarf, erect, densely leafy. Leaves crowded, distichous, linear, obliquely præmorse, with an acute apex, deflexed, channelled towards the base, pale green. Racemes erect from the upper axils, six inches long, densely flowered, the peduncles pale green, bracteate, the pedicels red, six-angled, with a small ovate bracteole at the base. Flowers bright cinnabar-red, about an inch across, somewhat concave; dorsal sepal obovate, with a claw-like base, entire; lateral sepals somewhat broader at the base, and unequal-sided, all spreading, and of a uniform dense cinnabar-red; petals of the same form as the dorsal sepal, and of a similar tint of colour; lip with a cylindraceous obtuse spur over a quarter of an inch long, to the front side of which is attached a tongue-like linear lamina, truncately-emarginate at the apex, and having a central paler orange rib with two knobs at the top of the spur-tube; at the back of the spur are two short erect lobes, which are convex outwardly, and with a boss or protuberance on the inner surface; lip more orange than the sepals, the processes at the end of the spur yellow; spur of the same colour as the lip. Column short, deep red, semi-terete, the angle winged upwards, the anther-case tinted with violet.

Saccolabium curvifolium, Lindley, Genera and Species of Orchidaceous Plants, 222; Bateman, Second Century of Orchidaceous Plants, t. 130; Lemaire, L’Illustration Horticole, xii, t. 493.

Saccolabium miniatum, Hooker, Botanical Magazine, t. 5326—fide Bateman and Lemaire.

The Saccolabium rank among the richest and most beautiful of the Orchid family; indeed, there are some magnificent species among those cultivated in our Orchid houses, which we hope to figure as time passes on. In the present illustration we introduce to our subscribers one of the small growing kinds, and one of the most distinct which we have seen as regards its habit and the colour of its flowers. Our figure was taken from a well-grown plant in the fine collection of W. Lee, Esq., Downside, Leatherhead, whom we are glad to observe is collecting and cultivating, along with the other East Indian kinds, the best species and varieties of this genus that can be obtained.

Saccolabium curvifolium is a dwarf and compact-growing evergreen plant, seldom seen more than a foot in height, with foliage of a light green colour, about four or five inches in length. It is a free-blooming kind, producing in May and June its bright orange-scarlet flowers, which continue in a fresh state for weeks. It is a very slow growing plant, and is seldom seen forming large specimens. Sometimes masses of it are imported, and these when set upon blocks of wood form charming specimens. We saw one in the collection of the Comte de Germiny, in France, which was most beautiful—two feet in height, and well bloomed; this specimen, which was suspended from the roof of the house, had a remarkably fine effect.

This plant will do either on blocks of wood or in small suspended pans or baskets, so that, it gets all the light possible. We find the best material to cultivate it in is sphagnum moss and a few pieces of charcoal intermixed, and it must have good drainage; it requires very little moss, as the roots like to enjoy the moist atmosphere of the house. The species is found growing on trees where the roots get the full benefit of the light and air; and if we imitate this as nearly as possible as regards their roots, we shall not go far wrong. Of course in our Orchid houses the treatment varies, and consequently the plant will require a little shade. The temperature required is that of the East India house.

Stanhopea gibbosa.—We have received from Alfred G. Wallis, Esq., of Balham, a grand spike of this great beauty. The plant, Mr. Wallis informs us, is growing in a wire basket about fifteen inches in diameter, and has borne five spikes of flowers, four of them with two flowers on a spike and one with one flower. The flowers are large, about six inches across; the petals are yellow, barred and blotched with crimson, the sepals assuming a darker tint of the same colour. Mr. Peacock was also successful in flowering this plant in June of the present year. It is a great pity Stanhopeas are not more popular among Orchid cultivators, as they form a very showy group of plants, their only drawback being the short time they continue in flower, and their very powerful and unpleasant odour.—B. S. W.

Disa grandiflora.—We received a wonderfully fine spike of this superb Orchid from Mr. Thomas Speed, the Duke of Devonshire’s gardener, at Chatsworth. The spike was two feet six inches in length from the pot, and bore twelve flowers of large size and fine colour—a bright scarlet and crimson, the lip veined with pink, which gives a nice contrast. It is a most charming cool-house Orchid that every one may grow who has an ordinary greenhouse. Mr. Speed is a most successful cultivator of this fine plant. We saw the first small plant he had to begin with some years ago, and this plant has gone on improving, and many offshoots have been taken from it which have also made fine specimens. The Disa really seems to be no trouble to cultivate. The way in which Mr. Speed treats it is to grow it in a common greenhouse, where it gets plenty of fresh air and light, and here it requires nothing but plenty of water in the growing season. It is grown in sphagnum moss and rough fibrous peat and loam. There is no doubt that this plant does not get shifted from the place where it was found to do well. This is a great secret in plant culture. When a plant is found doing well, let it remain where it is, unless on trial another place is found to be equally suitable. Few people grow this Disa well. The reason is, that they keep it in too warm a house, and coddle it too much. If they would follow Mr. Speed’s plan, there is no doubt they would succeed, if the plants are kept free from insects, and provided with sweet material about their roots.—B. S. W.

PL. 108. CATTLEYA TRIANÆ FORMOSA.

CATTLEYA TRIANÆ FORMOSA.
[[Plate 108].]
Native of Colombia.

Epiphytal. Stems oblong, club-shaped, furrowed, the lower parts enveloped in whitish membranaceous sheaths. Leaves solitary, coriaceous, ligulate-oblong, obtuse, emarginate, deep green. Scape two to three-flowered, proceeding from a terminal oblong compressed bract or sheath. Flowers large, six inches in depth and seven inches in breadth, richly coloured; sepals lanceolate, acute, about three-fourths of an inch broad, blush or very dilute rosy-purple; petals much broader—two and a half inches, having the margins much undulated, of the same blush or pallid purple hue as the sepals; lip well displayed, convolute at the base so as to enclose the column, and of a pallid purplish colour, the apical portion roundish, emarginate, and expanded, nearly two and a half inches across, the margin including the portion surrounding the throat, very much undulated so as to form a crenate-lobate frill, the surface for about two-thirds of the front of a deep rich magenta-purple, the disk and throat orange-yellow, the upper edge paler, and the magenta tint passing backwards in streaks over the disk.

Cattleya Trianæ formosa, Williams MS.

We now present to our readers a portrait of a most splendid variety of Cattleya Trianæ, of which them are numerous handsome forms, varying in colour from rose to crimson and magenta, and also to pure white, with intermediate tints. During the past five years there have been very large importations, but none that we have seen surpass the varieties we have already in cultivation, such as Dodgsoni, Osmanii, Russelliana, and Williamsii. These varieties are most difficult to improve upon, but probably we shall get other splendid forms among the large importations as they come to us from the different districts which the species inhabits. The Trianæ section has given us a grand lot of varieties for winter decoration especially; there are very many distinct types among them, and they come into blossom at a time, during the dull months of winter, when flowers are wanted to make our houses gay. Our drawing was taken from a very large specimen that has been grown and bloomed by us for several years, and which we consider one of the most beautiful varieties in cultivation—we believe our plate will show us to be fully justified in so doing.

Cattleya Trianæ formosa is a free and strong-growing evergreen kind, attaining fifteen inches high, with dark green foliage and strong sheaths. The flowers are of large size and substance, and are thrown well up so as to have a bold appearance, much more so than many others of its class. The sepals and petals are of a blush pink, and the lip rich rose-magenta, being beautifully frilled and edged with a lighter tint of the same colour, two and a quarter inches in diameter, have the throat orange veined with a deeper orange. The flowers are produced in February and March, lasting for several weeks in beauty.

It thrives best in a pot with rough peat and good drainage, and requires the same treatment as C. Mossiæ and C. Trianæ, beginning to grow after it has finished blooming. These make their flower sheaths in summer, much earlier than most of the Cattleyas, which secures to this section more light and heat in which to finish off their growth before winter sets in. Their pseudobulbs must be kept dry during winter, as if allowed to get wet they will probably rot away; therefore, when their growth is finished, give only sufficient water to keep the pseudobulbs in a plump state.

Orchids at Gouville.—The Comte de Germiny, Chateau de Gouville, France, has a noted collection of Orchids, which we recently had the pleasure of visiting. We found many grand specimens that interested us exceedingly, including fine Cattleyas, Lælias, Saccolabiums, Aërides, Vandas, Angræcums, Cypripediums, Phalænopsis, &c. We gave a short notice of this splendid establishment in our second volume, and now confine our remarks to the specimens we saw in flower. Of Cattleya labiata pallida there were two wonderful specimens, with over one hundred pseudobulbs on each; the first had forty-eight expanded flowers on it, and the other twenty-eight, a most gorgeous sight. Contrasting well with these were several good plants, in full bloom, of Epidendrum nemorale majus, with their drooping spikes of showy delicate rose-coloured flowers. These were backed up with a fine specimen of Sobralia macrantha, bearing thirty spikes of its rich purple and crimson flowers, of a large size. Then came Epidendrum vitellinum majus, suspended on a block, with twelve spikes of its bright orange-scarlet flowers, which always form a fine contrast with the surrounding colours. Near this were fine specimens of Cattleya crispa superba, and a specimen of Cattleya Mendelii. There were also some fine Vandas in full beauty, as well as Oncidiums with bright yellow blossoms, and Dendrobium suavissimum, with orange yellow and brown spotted flowers. A fine specimen of Epidendrum prismatocarpum was showing fourteen spikes. M. Rondeau, the energetic gardener, informed us that they had at one time three hundred and ninety expanded flowers of Cattleya Mossiæ, Mendelii Warnerii, and others, which must have been a gorgeous sight; also Cattleya citrina, different plants, that produced fifty-two of their yellow fragrant flowers. It is always a delight to a lover of good plants to visit a place where gems like these are the pride of the owner; and in this case we found that the Comte de Germiny not only has a good knowledge of his plants, but took the greatest interest in showing them to us.—B. S. W.

PL. 109. CYPRIPEDIUM MELANOPHTHALMUM.

CYPRIPEDIUM MELANOPHTHALMUM.
[[Plate 109].]
Garden Hybrid.

Epiphytal. Acaulescent. Leaves distichous, coriaceous, oblong-lanceolate, acute, of a pale dull green colour, chequered with coarse elongate reticulations of a darker green. Scape (peduncle) greenish, clothed with purple hairs, having near the apex a short acuminate hairy bract, which is strongly ciliated. Flowers medium-sized, of a rather showy character, solitary; dorsal sepal broad ovate-acuminate, an inch and a half long, white flushed with purple towards the base, distinctly marked with green veins, of which the two pairs on each side the central one are alternately long and short, while the rest become gradually shorter as they approach the edge; united lateral ones narrow ovate, whitish with green veins; petals glossy, linear oblong, dull purple on the upper side towards the base, and marked with a series of blue warty hairy dots on the upper edge, the apical portion bright reddish purple or wine-red, the lower half somewhat greener, both margins ciliate; lip bold, an inch and three-quarters long, with a somewhat compressed pouch an inch long, of a dull reddish purple suffused with green—the green colour most apparent towards the tip and back—and distinctly marked with darker purple reticulations, the sides veined, pale yellowish spotted with crimson warts within, their upper angles produced into auricles. Staminode very prominent, hexagonal, emarginate in front with a small tooth inside, veined with green in the centre, pale purplish green at the edge, the surface shortly downy.

Cypripedium melanophthalmum, Reichenbach fil., Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S., xiv., 525.

This is one of the numerous hybrid Lady’s Slippers that have been raised by R. Warner, Esq., Broomfield, Chelmsford. All these are of free-blooming character, every small growth bringing its quota of flowers. The foliage of the several forms is differently variegated, while the flowers of all the kinds are of long duration, which is an excellent quality in any plant. It will be seen from our illustration that Cypripedium melanophthalmum is a pretty plant, and one well worthy of cultivation, since it produces flowers which are valuable for cutting purposes, the stems being firm and long, which makes it useful for vases and other decorations for the adornment of living rooms. The plants are grand for exhibition purposes, as they carry well without injury by tying each flower-stem to a small stick.

The Cypripedia are of easy cultivation. They may, moreover, be freely hybridized, and are more readily produced from seed than many other subjects, as may be seen from the number which have been brought before the public, by those who make it their study to raise them in this way. Some persons are more successful in this branch of culture than others. There is no doubt that it requires a good deal of skill and tact to find out the best sorts for crossing, and also to effect the best crosses; moreover, it occupies a good deal of time, but we do not know of anything more delightful than this self-imposed task of improving the beauties of nature, and where one can devote attention to it, there must be a great deal of pleasure in watching the progress of one’s pets and noting the results of one’s labours when they put forth their blossoms.

Cypripedium melanophthalmum is an evergreen plant, having light yellowish green foliage with dark reticulations and blotches. The flower stems grow about six inches high, bearing the interesting flower at the top; the dorsal sepal is white flushed with purple at the base, and veined with green; the petals are bright reddish crimson, with darker veins and black hairy blotches or wart-like spots on the edge; the pouch is bright crimson with a green base, netted with green and reddish brown.

It requires the same treatment as C. barbatum—that is, it should be potted in rough fibrous peat, with good drainage, and the plant should be well elevated above the pot-rim, so that the roots can run over and also into the soil. These plants require a good deal of water, nearly all the year round, as they have no thick fleshy bulbs to support them. It must always be borne in mind that they must be kept free from insects to ensure successful and satisfactory progress.

Aërides Lawrenciæ.—At Stevens’ Auction Rooms, on the 19th day of September last, there was a magnificent new Aërides offered for sale, which realized the large sum of 235 guineas (£246 15s.), the purchaser being Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., M.P. It is encouraging to see that Orchids are more esteemed than ever they were, and that in spite of the enormous importations which are continually being received, good things are realising higher prices than ever. This new Aërides resembles in habit a large growing form of A. quinquevulnerum: the flower-spike measures two feet in length, and bears thirty-two of its lovely blossoms, which seem to be intermediate between those of A. odoratum and A. quinquevulnerum, possessing the strong aroma of the first-named plant. The flowers are very large, the sepals and petals white tipped with rosy-purple, the lip white marked with rich amethyst. It has just been named in compliment to Lady Lawrence.—H. W.

PL. 110. MASDEVALLIA HARRYANA MINIATA.

MASDEVALLIA HARRYANA MINIATA.
[[Plate 110].]
Native of New Grenada.

Epiphytal. Stems short, tufted, slender. Leaves persistent, of leathery texture, the blade spathulate, channelled at the base, keeled behind, tapering down into the petiole, which is invested by whitish brown membranaceous sheathing bracts. Scape issuing from the bract, investing the leaf base, radical, about a foot high, stiff, pale green, thickly striate-blotched with purple, with one or two distant sheathing bracts, and surmounted by the curved six-ribbed ovary, which is dotted with purple. Flowers remarkably brilliant in colour; tube about a quarter of an inch wide and upwards of half an inch long, orange-yellow, the open tube forming a yellow eye to the flower; dorsal sepal filiform, recurved, two inches long; lateral sepals deflexed falcate-ovate acute, fully two inches long by one inch wide, of a bright vermilion-red flushed with scarlet, and having the principal ribs of a rich deep crimson; petals minute, oblong-obtuse, white tinged with purple; lip still shorter, the tip recurved yellow, the disk with a deep furrow between two obtuse ridges. Column white, shorter than the petals, the winged margin extending upwards into a toothed hood.

Masdevallia Harryana miniata, Williams and Moore, supra.

This is a most charming variety of Masdevallia Harryana, being quite a new colour in this section; it is the most distinct and beautiful for its brightness of hue—one which we have not yet seen developed to such perfection of brilliancy in any other variety. It may also be noted, that when mixed with other forms of various colours it blends with them most charmingly. How exceedingly bright and beautiful it is will be seen from our figure, in which, however, it has been extremely difficult for our artist to imitate the natural tint of the flower. Our sketch was taken from a well-bloomed plant in the large collection of Masdevallias grown by W. Lee, Esq., of Downside, Leatherhead. It is a very rare as well as showy plant, and we shall be glad to see more of it, as it will assuredly be sought after.

Masdevallia Harryana miniata is a dwarf compact-growing plant, with foliage about eight inches high of a bright dark green colour. The flowers are scarlet-vermilion with a bright yellow eye. It blooms during May and June, and lasts about four weeks in full beauty.

This plant will thrive under the treatment recommended for the forms of the Harryana section in our first volume ([Plate 24]), where all the necessary particulars will be found. Mr. Woolford, the gardener at Downside, is a most successful cultivator, and has under his charge a house nearly 100 feet long filled with Masdevallias, wherein, when we last saw them, there were many hundreds of expanded blossoms of large size and high colour. They are potted in the same way that we recommend. Mr. Woolford seems to diffuse a great deal of moisture about the house during the summer months, and the soil they are growing in is kept very moist. If anyone wants to see these lovely plants in perfection and well cultivated, this is the place at which to find them.

Orchids at The Dell, Staines.—The collection of Baron Schröder is well worthy of a visit, there being always something to see and to learn. The Baron takes such great interest in his collection that he will have good species and good varieties. He does not fill his houses with numbers of imported plants to take the chance of what he may get, but he secures at once good healthy established plants of all the choicest and best known kinds. Of course, there is a chance of getting good forms among the imported plants, but along with them one finds a great many that one does not care for, but which have occupied valuable space; besides which such plants are unsightly in a show house. A few rough imported plants spoil the appearance of a whole collection, and we know ladies prefer to see good flowers accompanied by fine green foliage, which always renders a plant more agreeable to the eye.

We noticed many fine plants here in August last, when but few Orchids are in bloom: indeed there are always good plants blooming here. A splendid house has been allotted to Cattleyas, of which there are some grand and noble specimens; we noticed several fine plants of Cattleya exoniensis, also of the best form of C. labiata, with some wonderful specimens of C. Trianæ and C. Russelliana, C. Mendelii, C. Warnerii, C. Dominiana in two varieties, and many new hybrids. Of Lælia purpurata there were fine specimens of the best varieties; also some good forms of L. elegans. There were several fine Vandas in this house. We also noticed Renanthera Lowii, showing a vigorous spike of bloom, and by the side of this was a good specimen of Cattleya crispa grandiflora with several spikes, one having nine flowers; also one of C. gigas which bore seven flowers, and had a very large lip, quite distinct in colour. Associated with this was the rare Lælia callistoglossa with a rich magenta lip, in full beauty and very showy. There were other good plants in bloom.

In the Saccolabium house there had been many fine kinds in flower. We noticed a very handsome S. Blumei giganteum with a spike two feet long and of large size—the plant and spike we have seen. There were also fine varieties of Phalænopsis violacea in bloom, and grand specimens of other rare species, also of Cattleya Eldorado, with some good Aërides, Angræcums, &c.

There were some handsome Odontoglots in bloom, and others had thrown some fine flower spikes; also some good plants of Mesospinidium vulcanicum, one with nine spikes of its richly-coloured flowers and others equally good; this plant produces a fine contrast among the white Odontoglossums, and such effective colours should be sought after, especially when, as here, associated with fine form.—B. S. W.

PL. 111. ODONTOGLOSSUM ELEGANS.

ODONTOGLOSSUM ELEGANS.
[[Plate 111].]
Native of Ecuador.

Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs oblong, somewhat furrowed, three inches long, diphyllous. Leaves ligulate, acute, tapered and channelled towards the base, of a pale green colour. Scape radical, slender, arching. Flowers racemed or panicled, stellate, three inches in breadth, highly coloured, and showy in character, the yellow centre being very conspicuous; sepals lanceolate, attenuately not suddenly acuminate, recurved and wavy at the edge, the dorsal two inches, the lateral ones about an inch and three quarters long, white, yellow towards the tip, with dark chocolate blotches, which almost cover the surface leaving only a few broken bars near the base and a patch at the apex; petals spreading at the extreme base, then incurved, and finally having the tips recurved, ovate-lanceolate attenuately acuminate, the basal part white with irregular spots and small blotches of chocolate brown, with a larger spot about midway, exterior to which the petal is sometimes spotless and sometimes marked with two or three spots; lip having its basal portion parallel with the column, then turned down at a right angle, panduriform with a recurved cuspidate apex; at the angle is a spreading fringe of many (about eight) projecting processes, the two front ones continuous with the crest along the basal portion of the lip, yellow with chocolate tips, and three shorter ones yellow with a chocolate stripe; behind these are five reddish chocolate stripes which appear like continuations of the teeth; hinder portion about half an inch broad, pale yellow blotched with brown at the edge but strongly recurved, succeeding which is a restricted part wholly covered by a rich brown spot, after which the lip widens and passes into a recurved cuspidate apex, which is white with one or two chocolate blotches. Column half an inch long, clavate, with two subulate horns, white spotted with chocolate, the stigmatic hollow and its margins stained with chocolate purple.

Odontoglossum elegans, Reichenbach fil., Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S., xi., 462.

The subject of our present portrait is a most beautiful and distinct Odontoglot, and one with which we believe our subscribers will be glad to become acquainted. It is an extremely rare plant, and the only specimen we have seen, was imported with a lot of Odontoglossum cirrhosum. It is doubtless a natural hybrid, of which that species is one of the parents, as it resembles it both in the shape of its flowers and growth. This plant was exhibited by H. M. Pollett, Esq., Bickley, Kent, before the Floral Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society, from whom it received the highest honours. It has bloomed in this well-known collection for two successive years, the flowers very much finer and the growth stronger on the last occasion. It is an astonishing trait in the character of this Odontoglot, that the stronger the plants become the finer are the flowers, that is, provided they have a proper house and proper treatment. Mr. Pollett has some small span-roofed houses in which the plants seem to enjoy their position, as they are thriving well under his gardener’s care.

Odontoglossum elegans is an evergreen species of compact growth, with light green foliage about ten inches in height. The pseudobulbs grow about three inches high. The sepals and petals are cream-coloured, tipped with yellow and irregularly blotched and barred with chestnut brown; the lip is long and similar in form to that of O. cirrhosum, having a large golden yellow crest. It blooms during the spring months, and lasts in beauty for several weeks, its drooping spikes producing more flowers than are shown in our drawing, as our artist was not able to show the full spike in his representation, from its being too long. This particular plant has been distinguished as Pollett’s variety, an unwieldy form of naming which we prefer not to adopt.

The plant requires the same cultivation and treatment as Odontoglossum Alexandræ and others of that class, of which we have given full particulars in our first volume, under [Plate 47].

Vanda Sanderiana.—It is with great pleasure that we are able to announce the flowering of this magnificent novelty, in the collection of W. Lee, Esq., Downside, Leatherhead, where it may now (September) be seen, bearing three spikes of its gorgeous flowers. One spike bears twelve flowers, and another eight. If the reader will imagine a dozen of these lovely blossoms, each from four to four and a half inches in diameter, collected together on one spike, he may form some idea of the magnificence of this grand novelty. In growth the plant resembles a gigantic V. cœrulea, but having much broader and longer leaves, and stouter stems and flower-spikes than that species. The spikes are produced from the axils of the leaves in an erect position. The leaves are from nine to twelve inches long, and about an inch broad, deeply channelled. The flowers are fully four inches in diameter; the upper sepal and the two petals are nearly of one size and of a blush-pink, about the colour of a pale variety of Odontoglossum vexillarium; the lower sepals are much larger and broader than the petals, two inches across, tawny yellow distinctly and beautifully reticulated with dull crimson over the entire surface; the lip is dull brownish crimson, and has three keels along the centre extending from the apex to the base. The contrast of the crimson markings on the yellow sepals renders this new Vanda one of the most distinct species we have ever seen. We have had a sketch of this plant prepared, and it will shortly be presented to our readers.—H. W.

PL. 112. CATTLEYA SKINNERI ALBA.

CATTLEYA SKINNERI ALBA.
[[Plate 112].]
Native of Costa Rica.

Epiphytal. Stems obovate-oblong, compressed, furrowed, attenuated below into a terete jointed stalk. Leaves two, palish green, spreading, leathery, oblong-obtuse, sub-emarginate. Scape six to eight-flowered, issuing from a short oblong spathe. Flowers exceedingly chaste and elegant, pure white in colour, measuring four inches in depth and breadth; sepals plane, lanceolate, acute, recurved at the extreme tip, half an inch in breadth, pure white; petals ovate-obtuse, one and a quarter inch in breadth, slightly undulated towards the tips, also pure white; lip white, the basal part very closely and narrowly rolled around the column, and there showing exteriorly on the lower side a slight stain of rose, which, when unrolled, appears as a small rosy blotch, the front lobe roundish reniform. Column white, clavate, about an inch long.

Cattleya Skinneri alba, Reichenbach fil., Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S., vii., 810.

The fine genus Cattleya is becoming more and more interesting and valuable every year, since many new forms and colours are continually coming before us. We feel great pleasure in being able to figure this chaste and lovely variety of C. Skinneri, which has pure snow white flowers. It is quite astonishing to find that white forms of so many different kinds of Cattleya are being brought home by our energetic collectors. Many, indeed, have turned out to be white-flowered when we have bloomed them, without any knowledge of the fact on the part of those that have collected them, the reason being that often they do not find them in bloom, and it is, of course, difficult to know their colours unless they are in flower; moreover, it sometimes occurs that there are not many of the pure white forms. There may be others of a rosy hue, and it is frequently the case that seedlings come intermediate in colour. We hope our collectors may be fortunate enough to find pure white forms of other species in bloom, as they are so charming. The variation of colour which occurs in some of the species in their native country, is no doubt due to the intervention of insects, the action being just the same as that of the hybridizer in our plant-houses.

We bloomed a very fine pure white Cattleya Skinneri, an imported plant, some years ago, and we have since seen several white varieties, but the figure we now publish was taken from a plant in the collection of Sir Nathaniel de Rothschild, of Tring Park. The spike, as may be seen from our plate, was a good one, with well-expanded blossoms, not quite so large as in the parent Cattleya Skinneri, which is of a most charming rosy purple, and one of the most distinct and showy of Orchids. There are fine varieties of this species, especially one that has been grown in collections for many years, and that we have been in the habit of exhibiting for the past 35 years—even before that there were fine specimens of it in cultivation. The species was named after the late G. Ure Skinner, Esq., who imported it from Guatemala, together with many other Orchids, and whose name will always be associated with this class of plants, many fine kinds having been named after him.

Cattleya Skinneri alba is an evergreen plant, with light green stems and foliage. The stems are about twelve inches high, and each produces two leaves about four inches long. The spikes proceed from an oblong sheath at the top of the stem in March and April. The sepals and petals are pure white with the throat of the lip pale yellow. It continues in bloom for two or three weeks, but it must be kept free from damp, as white flowers soon become spotted if kept in too cool and damp an atmosphere; it is always best to have a dry, warm house for plants that are in bloom, as they then last so much longer. Mr. Hill, the gardener at Tring Park, must have kept this specimen in a dry, warm house, as the flowers were most perfect when they reached us.

This plant requires the same treatment as C. Skinneri. It is best grown in a pot or basket, with good fibrous peat and sphagnum moss, the pots being filled three-parts full of drainage, then filled up with rough peat, placing some pieces of charcoal amongst it; this will keep it open and porous, and the roots will run freely among the charcoal. In the growing season the soil requires to be kept rather moist, but the plant does not like too much water about its roots at any time. It is best grown near the light, with a little shade when the sun is hot, the shading not being required at any other time. We find the warm end of the Cattleya house to suit it, as it requires more warmth than some of the other Cattleyas. When the growth is finished in autumn, very little water should be given, and during winter only just sufficient to keep the stems plump, until they begin to throw up their flower spikes in March, when a little more may be supplied to assist the flowers in opening, and to secure finer blossoms.

They begin to grow after their flowering season is over, which is the best time for division if it is required, but it is best to avoid cutting this rare plant as much as possible, as sometimes the divided pieces will not succeed so well, especially if the plant is not strong and vigorous. When divided, place them in a shady, moist place until they get established; then they may be removed to a position more exposed to the light.

PL. 113. DENDROBIUM WARDIANUM GIGANTEUM.

DENDROBIUM WARDIANUM GIGANTEUM.
[[Plate 113].]
Native of Burmah.

Epiphytal. Stems stout, pendulous, deciduous, attaining three feet in length, knotty at the nodes. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, attenuate at the apex. Racemes two or three flowered, issuing from the nodes of the matured stems. Flowers large and conspicuous from their striking colours; sepals oblong-lanceolate, bluntish, white tipped with magenta-rose, the margins reflexed; petals oblong-ovate, obtuse, white more deeply tipped than the sepals; lip cucullate, the base folded over the column, the anterior portion ovate-obtuse, recurved at the tip, entire, the surface covered with crystalline processes, the colour golden yellow at the base with a pair of maroon-crimson spots, the margin and middle portion creamy white, the apex tipped like the petals with deep magenta; spur short. Column short, depressed, almost hidden in the base of the lip, the anther-case white.

Dendrobium Wardianum, R. Warner, Select Orchidaceous Plants, ser. i., t. 19; Jennings’ Orchids, t. 2; L’Illustration Horticole, ser. 3, t. 277; Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S., viii, 241, fig. 50.

Var. GIGANTEUM.—Habit more vigorous and more erect than in the ordinary form; stems stouter and less nodose, four to five feet long; flowers larger, and of stouter substance, otherwise as in the type.

Dendrobium Wardianum giganteum, Williams & Moore, supra.

Dendrobium Wardianum Lowii, Smith, Moral Magazine, N.S., t. 212.

The flowers of the plant we now bring under the notice of our readers are of the most perfect form, of the richest colours, and also of very large size. It is altogether a stronger grower than the type of the species named in compliment to Dr. Ward, of Southampton, and of which a fine figure is published in [Plate 19] of the first series of Warner’s Select Orchidaceous Plants. By a comparison of the two illustrations, it will be seen that the typical plant has much thinner and more tapering stems, and that the flowers are of a smaller size than in the variety now treated upon, though the colour and marking are equally brilliant in both. The larger form, giganteum, also comes from a different country, the smaller kind having been introduced from Assam, while the larger one comes from Burmah, which difference may account for the difference in their growth. Our sketch was taken from a plant in the collection of D’Alroy Salamon, Esq., of Clapham Park, where it has bloomed two years in succession. There is in cultivation a variety of D. Wardianum with white flowers, which has been bloomed during the last two or three years from imported plants. It is quite interesting to find that in most of the principal genera white varieties are turning up to meet the growing taste for white forms of the different Orchids.

Dendrobium Wardianum giganteum is a deciduous plant, sometimes producing growths four or five feet long, with somewhat knotty joints all up the stems. The foliage is of a bright green colour, and begins to fall off after it has completed its growth. The sepals and petals are white heavily tipped with deep magenta-rose, while the lip is of a deep orange-yellow at the base, with two blackish crimson blotches, the tip of the lip being bright magenta-rose. It blooms during the winter and spring months according to the time of the completion of its growth. We have seen it in bloom in the month of October, so by having a number of plants started at different periods, it might be had in bloom for many months, some of the plants being retarded by keeping them dry in a warm house—for it is not safe to put them into a cold house, as this often injures the growth for the following year.

The plants are best grown in baskets or pans suspended from the roof, where they get all the light, but just keeping them from the burning sun. We find rough fibrous peat with sphagnum moss and good drainage to suit them. They must be kept moist at the roots during the growing season, but when their growth is completed only just sufficient to keep the stems plump must be allowed them until they begin to show their flower buds: then give a little moisture at the roots, which will induce them to bloom finer, and to start into growth after their flowers are over. Sometimes they will start growing during the blooming season, and if so this should not be checked.

We find the East India house the most suitable one for them, or they will grow in any house where the heat is kept up during the growing season. When at rest less warmth will suffice. They must be kept free from insects. Sometimes the red spider and thrips will attack the leaves, but these may be kept under by syringing or using tobacco-smoke—the latter sparingly, as too much will be very injurious to the young growths.

Cattleya Trianæ formosa ([Plate 108]).—In the remarks on this Cattleya, instead of “the lip rich rose-magenta being beautifully frilled and edged with a lighter tint of the same colour. The flowers, which are two and a quarter inches in diameter, have the throat orange veined with a deeper orange, and are produced,” &c., read “the lip rich rose-magenta being beautifully frilled and edged with a lighter tint of the same colour, two and a quarter inches in diameter, the throat orange veined with deeper orange. The flowers are produced,” &c., &c.

PL. 114. TRICHOSMA SUAVIS.

TRICHOSMA SUAVIS.
[[Plate 114].]
Native of the Khasya Mountains.

Epiphytal. Stems thin, terete, tufted, from a short rhizome, with a few sheathing verrucose scales at the base, the apex diphyllous. Leaves somewhat fleshy, broadly lanceolate acuminate, obsoletely three-nerved, the base contracted into a sheathing petiole. Flowers in short terminal racemes, fragrant; sepals lanceolate, spreading, the dorsal one free, the lateral ones somewhat broader, adnate at the base with the foot of the column, so as to form a short chin, creamy white; petals erect, lanceolate, resembling the dorsal sepal, creamy white; lip articulated with the foot of the column, with a short incumbent claw, the limb three-lobed, the side lobes plane striped with brownish crimson, the middle one undulated, yellow spotted with red and bearing five crispy lamellæ or crests, there being also four such crests on the disk. Column short, semiterete, marginate, the anther-bell irregularly toothed at the edge, the anthers incumbent affixed within the margin. Pollen-masses eight.

Trichosma suavis, Lindley, Botanical Register, 1842, t. 21.

Cœlogyne coronaria, Lindley, Botanical Register, 1841, misc. 178.

Eria coronaria, Reichenbach, in Walpers’ Annales Botanices Systematicæ, vi., 271.

The Orchid, of which we now submit a figure, is a very pretty free-growing species; it is also distinct from any other Orchid, and one well worthy a place in any collection. Almost every one who sees it in flower admires it, not, perhaps, so much for its showy character, as for its neat pleasing inflorescence and fragrant flowers. There are admirers of small flowered Orchids as well as of those with larger and more showy blossoms.

This Trichosma has curious slender fleshy stems, scaly at the base, and surmounted by a pair of dark green three-nerved leaves from between which, at the top of this stem, the flower spike is produced, as will be seen from our figure. The inflorescence forms a short erect spike or raceme, bearing several very sweet-scented flowers, which have a pleasing appearance.

Trichosma suavis grows about ten inches in height, and produces its blossoms very freely. The sepals and petals are of a creamy white colour, the lip profusely striped with purplish crimson and having a bright yellow crest.

This plant flowered with us in March, and continued for several weeks in bloom; but we have also seen it blossoming at different times of the year, according to the period of the completion of its growth. We find it does well grown in a pot with rough fibrous peat and good drainage, and when in vigorous growth it must be kept moderately moist at the roots. It should never be allowed to get dry as it has no thick fleshy bulbs on which to draw for support. We find it succeeds well in the Cattleya house, shaded from the burning sun during the summer season.

Dr. Paterson’s Orchids.—The charming locality of the Bridge of Allan has long been celebrated for this collection of Orchids. Dr. Paterson is an enthusiastic lover of this most noble family, for as he truly says, “There are no plants like them.” There are others of the same opinion, and we believe there is no class of plants that afford such an amount of pleasure and interest to the cultivator, for the more one gets acquainted with them, the more one finds to admire, in their bright colours and their infinite variety, the length of time they last in blossom, and their usefulness when cut; besides all this there is the interest of novelty attaching to them, many new species and varieties continually appearing. There are, in fact, no flowers to surpass them.

At Dr. Paterson’s there is always to be seen a grand display of Orchids. The way in which they are cultivated, and the order and cleanliness that surround them, seem to be made quite the study of their owner. No doubt cleanliness is one of the principal items in their successful cultivation. It is marvellous how this collection has sprung up since our visit in September of last year. Nearly all the best specimens had then been sold, many of them at high prices, and scattered in different directions; buyers came from far and near, as there were many unique specimens of fine species and select varieties. These were sold to make room for the young plants, which now bid fair to be as fine in a few years’ time, for they are at present making rapid strides. The East Indian kinds are in a specially flourishing condition. We noticed a vigorous plant of Vanda Cathcartii, three feet high, and the specimens of Saccolabium, Aërides, Cattleya, Lælia, Vanda, &c., are making fine growths. To enumerate the plants that are doing well would occupy too much of our limited space, but we cannot conclude this note without mentioning the cool Orchids, such as Odontoglossum Pescatorei, O. Alexandræ, and many other kinds, some in bloom, and others showing fine spikes and making good pseudobulbs. The specimens of Masdevallia were making good progress. Next to these was Oncidium Barkerii, with its bright yellow flowers. The different kinds of Pleione were also finely in bloom.

Visitors go from all parts to see this collection, Dr. Paterson being as pleased to show the plants as others are to see them. The Bridge of Allan is a charming spot situated among the Perthshire Hills, and is a place of healthful resort, especially in winter, as the climate is mild. It is within easy distance of the town of Stirling; it can also be reached from Glasgow and Edinburgh in very little time, and is well worthy a visit.—B. S. W.

PL. 115. CATTLEYA WHITEI.

CATTLEYA WHITEI.
[[Plate 115].]
Native of Brazil.

Epiphytal. Stems clavate, furrowed, monophyllous. Leaves short, ovate-oblong, coriaceous. Racemes three-flowered, issuing from a pair of oblong-obtuse compressed sheathing bracts. Flowers medium-sized, very handsomely coloured; sepals ligulate-oblong, entire, recurved at the edge, of a deep rosy tint with a flush of olive green, which is more evident on the outer surface and at the tips, about as long as the lip, the dorsal one longer, the lateral ones falcately deflexed, all acute with the tips recurved; petals broader (an inch and one-eighth wide), ovate-oblong, acute, undulated towards the recurved apex, of a bright magenta-purple; lip two and a half inches long, stipitate, the lateral lobes truncate with the upper angle acute, pale blush towards the base, where they are rolled closely over the column, the tip which is recurved tinted with magenta, the lower side of the tube and throat bright yellow; front lobe of lip an inch long and an inch and a half broad, roundish reniform, with the edge neatly undulated, and distinctly fimbriate-denticulate, the ground colour magenta-rose, veined closely all over except the extreme edge, which is white, with deep crimson-magenta, the veins running back in a wedge-shaped figure to just within the tube, where they pass to crimson; a strong central line of magenta passes half way down at the back. Column clavate, semiterete, the edge thin, almost wing-like, whitish with a tint of blush at the apex.

Cattleya Whitei, Reichenbach fil., Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S., xviii., 586.

This most beautiful Cattleya is of recent introduction, and is one of the most rare, chaste and distinct kinds that has been introduced of late. It is supposed to be a natural hybrid, the result of insect fertilisation in its native country. The specimen in the hands of Holbrook Gaskell, Esq., Woolton Wood, Liverpool, in whose fine collection it bloomed in July last, and through whose kindness we have been enabled to figure it, is believed to be the only plant ever imported; and we must congratulate the owner on his being the means of bringing such a magnificent species to the notice of Orchid growers. It is very gratifying to find that so many new forms of Cattleya, both species and varieties, have been brought home by our collectors within the last few years; they are grand acquisitions to our collections, as there are no other Orchids that make such an effective display. Now that there are so many and such varied kinds introduced, we shall be able to have Cattleyas in bloom all the year round, by procuring the different species and varieties which are of nearly all shades of colour, many of them being very brilliant and distinct. We are glad to know there are some kinds that will do in cooler houses and others of them are small-growing species, which will increase their value to those who have only small houses in which to grow them.

Cattleya Whitei is an evergreen plant with handsome, good-looking dark green foliage. In growth it is much like the dark variety of C. labiata, its foliage and pseudobulbs being similar; it produces three flowers on a spike, the sepals and petals being bright magenta-crimson, with a flush of brown on the front portion, the lip pale magenta distinctly veined with intense magenta-crimson, and the throat bright yellow. It blooms in July, and Mr. Davies, the gardener, tells us that it lasts two or three weeks in beauty.

This novelty requires treatment similar to that given to C. Mossiæ and C. labiata—namely, to be potted in good rough fibrous peat, with thorough drainage. It should have the heat of the Cattleya house, with all the light possible, during the whole year, which will enable the plant to properly mature its stems and foliage, after which we may expect good results. A slight shading must be given during hot sunny days.

Orchids at Melrose, the residence of A. Curle, Esq.—We paid a visit to this place a short time since and were well pleased with the collection. The mansion is prettily situated on rising ground, well backed up with trees, while the view of the ruins of the old abbey in front gives the place a quaint aspect which renders it specially interesting to visitors. There is a range of glass houses consisting of vineries, and greenhouses. Then we come to the Orchid houses, in which there is a well-grown collection of these plants, which are doing well and making fine growth. The centre table has a row of good plants, such as Vanda tricolor Dalkeith variety, also a beautiful Vanda suavis which was reported to be a fine variety, and some other good Vandas. We, moreover, noticed a telling plant of Cattleya Harrisoniana violacea finely in bloom, which, with its violet-coloured flowers, is very showy. There are some grand specimens of Cattleya gigas, C. Mendelii, and C. Mossiæ, showing excellent growth, and many other Cattleyas and Lælias making rapid progress. Suspended from the roof we noticed a plant called Lælia pumila spectabilis, but it was not in blossom; since our visit, however, we have received a fresh bloom of it from Mr. Sharp, the gardener, and a most beautiful flower it is, being of good shape, the sepals and petals dark rose, the lip rich purple and of stout substance. The foliage is very dark which is the case with some of the varieties of L. præstans, of which there are several in cultivation, this being one of the best we have seen. In the same house was a good Vanda cœrulea showing fine spikes, and associated with it were some handsome forms of Cypripedium Spicerianum in bloom. We noticed also some well-grown specimens of Dendrobium Wardianum giganteum making strong growth, several plants being five feet high.

In the next house were many fine examples of Odontoglossum Alexandræ, O. Pescatorei, and others making good pseudobulbs; also Masdevallias and many other good plants. We noticed a splendid Zygopetalum Mackayi, so called, but we think it was distinct from any we have seen, the colour being intense, and the lip of a very rich purple.—B. S. W.

PL. 116. AËRIDES VANDARUM.

AËRIDES VANDARUM.
[[Plate 116].]
Native of India.

Epiphytal. Stems terete, flexuose, rooting, clothed with the sheathing bases of the leaves, growing two feet or more in height, of it purplish brown colour. Leaves distant, harsh in texture, four to six inches long, as thick as the stem, subulate, terete narrowed to an acute point, with a narrow furrow on the upper side, evergreen. Peduncle lateral, opposite the leaves, one or two flowered. Flowers rather large, delicate but durable, white; sepals spreading, the dorsal one ligulate with a stalk-like base, the lateral ones subcrenulate united to the foot of the column, the margins always undulated; petals obovate cuneate, undulated; lip tripartite, the lateral (basal) divisions linear-falcate, toothletted, the middle one deeply two-lobed, the lobes reniform, concave, crenate narrowed at the base into a claw, with a small toothed segment on each side and a sharp keel between; spur extinguisher-formed. Column short, wingless. Pollen-masses two.

Aërides Vandarum, Reichenbach fil., in Gardeners’ Chronicle, 1867, 997.

Aërides cylindricum, Hooker, Botanical Magazine, t. 4982, non Lindley; Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S., iii, 537, fig. 115.

There is no doubt that the species of Aërides rank among the most beautiful of the East Indian Orchids. The one we now introduce to the notice of our readers is very distinct in its manner of flowering, and also in its foliage, the general aspect of the plant being much like that of Vanda teres, whence the name given it by Professor Reichenbach of Aërides Vandarum. The flowers are large and the manner of its growth makes it a very interesting subject. Few cultivators, however, have seen it in blossom. Our artist took a sketch last March from a plant blooming at the Victoria and Paradise Nurseries, where it flowered for several weeks.

Aërides Vandarum is an evergreen species and grows about two feet in height. The foliage is terete and acutely pointed, like that of a small growing Vanda teres and the stem is of a purplish brown colour. It produces two flowers on a spike, and these are of a pure white colour; it blooms in March and April, and lasts three weeks in perfection.

This plant requires the heat of the East India house, with all the light possible. It will thrive in pots or baskets with sphagnum moss, or even on rafts of wood, but when grown on these it requires more frequent supplies of moisture. It should have about the same treatment as Vanda teres, growing well during the summer if provided with plenty of moisture over the foliage and roots during the growing period, and having a good rest during winter, when it needs only just sufficient moisture to keep the stems and leaves from shrivelling. When it begins to show flower, it should have a little water to plump the stems and encourage them to throw out the blossoms freely and to develope growths for the summer season. We find it thrive best suspended near the glass, so that it can have all the light possible.

Orchids at Eastwood Park, Glasgow, the residence of David Tod, Esq.—This collection of Orchids is doing well, especially the cool kinds, and the Cattleyas which latter are special favourites with Mr. Tod, since they do not require so much heat as some others. There are here many hundreds of Odontoglots, and we noticed some fine forms in bloom, especially in the large house, in which was a grand display of Odontoglossum Alexandræ, many of the plants with well furnished spikes. Of O. Pescatorei there are also some fine examples with vigorous branching panicles, and other wonderfully fine specimens, having massive pseudobulbs, which had produced noble spikes of blooms. Mr. Ewart, the gardener, takes great interest in the plants, which have much improved during the last two years.

There are two other houses filled with Odontoglots and Masdevallias. Here many of the Odontoglots are smaller, but they are doing well. We noticed two very fine specimens of Odontoglossum Andersonianum showing well for bloom, and these, Mr. Tod informed us, are very fine varieties. By their side stood the rare O. Ruckerii, just coming into flower. The collection also includes many other rare Odontoglots. In another house, half-span roofed, there is a numerous collection of miscellaneous Orchids, including some fine specimens of Phalænopsis Schilleriana and others. There are also good plants of Cattleyas of most of the leading kinds, as well as Lælias and Dendrobiums; and fine specimens of Cypripedium caudatum on the front stage are doing well, and had produced many flower spikes. In this house Odontoglossum Roezlii grows very freely, and is in a clean and healthy condition, the plants seeming to get the treatment they like. Mr. Tod parted with his fine specimens of this species last year, but the pieces that are left are making good plants.

Adjoining this house is a most splendid Fernery, beautifully laid out, and planted with the best Ferns, Palms, Begonias, &c., which are in vigorous health.—B. S. W.

PL. 117. LÆLIA HARPOPHYLLA.

LÆLIA HARPOPHYLLA.
[[Plate 117].]
Native of Brazil.

Epiphytal. Stems slender, terete, six inches to a foot high, invested with sheathing bracts, monophyllous. Leaves ligulate, acuminate, about an inch in breadth, dark green. Peduncle issuing from a longish terete sheath, and having raceme about six inches long. Flowers four to seven in a raceme, rather small in size, but highly coloured, and very attractive; sepals lanceolate, acute, one and three-quarter inch in length, and of a bright orange-vermilion; petals similar in size, form, and colour; lip three-lobed, the side lobes erect plane, of the some orange colour as the sepals, with the acute upper front angle whitish and somewhat drawn out, the margins just meeting over the column, the middle lobe creamy white, the disk marked with four orange-coloured lines, about twice as long as the side lobes, linear acuminate, recurved, with a crispy margin; keels nearly obsolete.

Lælia harpophylla, Reichenbach fil., in Gardeners’ Chronicle, 1873, 542; Floral Magazine, N.S., t. 372; Garden, xxiii., 116, t. 400.

This, observes Professor Reichenbach, is one of those curious plants which “are not decided species, and yet they must be named and registered. It would be Lælia cinnabarina, if it had not a stem as thin as that of a showy Pleurothallis, a single acuminate leaf, and much narrower and straighter parts of the flower.” * * * “Perhaps it is a mule between a Brassavola and Lælia cinnabarina?” Whatever its origin and direct relationship, there is no doubt that it is one of the most distinct and beautiful of Orchids, as it affords a colour that is not only rare, but exceedingly effective. The flowers may be considered small as compared with the majority of the species of Lælia, which, indeed, are generally large-flowered, and rank among the most gorgeous and showy of Orchids, but even in this species they measure fully three inches across. It is a singular fact, that most of the orchidaceous species with orange-vermilion flowers have blossoms smaller than those of other colours. We have often noticed this fact amongst the Orchids that we have met with, and, indeed, it my be observed through nearly all the genera, that there are no large-sized flowers of this orange or vermilion colour. We are, however, hopeful that our energetic collectors may succeed in importing some having this character. It is true the Sophronites grandiflora bears highly coloured vermilion-scarlet flowers which may be considered large in proportion to the size of the plant, and a most charming Orchid it is, but we should, nevertheless, welcome some examples, at least, of these brilliant and startling colours among those larger-growing subjects which produce larger flowers.

Our figure of this charming Lælia was taken from a finely-bloomed specimen in the well-grown collection of F. A. Philbrick, Esq., of Bickley, under the care of Mr. Heims, who has succeeded in flowering it very successfully. It was a very rare plant a few years ago, and then commanded a high price; but of late years there have been received large importations of it, and it may now be purchased at a more reasonable cost. The varieties vary to some extent in the size of their flowers and in the particular shade of colour, which is found to be the case with nearly all the imported Orchids.

Lælia harpophylla is an evergreen species, with thin stems and long narrowish pointed foliage, of a dark green colour; it grows a foot or more in height, the flower-spike proceeding from a sheath at the top of the stem, and rising about six inches above it, several flowers growing together on the spike. The blossom is of a beautiful bright orange-vermilion, and the lip is edged with white. It is a free-flowering plant, blooming in March, April, and May, and continuing its inflorescence for four or five weeks.

We find it to succeed well potted in fibrous peat, to which must be added good drainage, and a liberal supply of water during the time of its growth. The soil should also be kept moist through the resting season, so that the bulbs and foliage may be kept plump, as the bulbs being very thin, they require a more constant supply of nourishment than those of plants which have bulbs of a more substantial character. We have grown these plants in the Cattleya house, as near the light as possible, for they grow weakly if far off the light, though they require shading from the burning sun. They must also be kept free from insects.

Lælia amanda (Cattleya Rothschildiana).—This fine species, or natural hybrid, is cultivated under the two names above quoted, as we learn from a letter which accompanied some flowers of the plant, for which we are indebted to W. E. Brymer, Esq., Ilsington House, Puddleton, near Dorchester, and of which our artist has taken advantage to secure a drawing for the Orchid Album. The flowers somewhat resemble in character those of Cattleya maxima, but the stems (pseudobulbs) and foliage are quite distinct, being two-leaved, while the flowers are more chaste-looking than those of that species. The plant is very beautiful, and is a decided acquisition to this class of Lælias, the flowers being bright rose veined with rosy purple, and produced in October, at a season when there are but few Orchids in bloom, which makes it all the more valuable.—B. S. W.

PL. 118. ODONTOGLOSSUM ALEXANDRÆ COOKSONII.

ODONTOGLOSSUM ALEXANDRÆ COOKSONII.
[[Plate 118].]
Native of New Grenada.

Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs oblong-ovate, compressed, diphyllous. Leaves ligulate-oblong, acute, channelled and narrowed towards the stalk-like base, of a cheerful green colour. Scape radical, supporting a many-flowered raceme exceeding the leaves, and having small acute bracts at the base of the pedicels. Flowers large and beautifully spotted; sepals ovate acuminate, the dorsal one rounded at the base into a short broadish claw, the margins revolute and undulate, white, with a few bold irregular blotches of brownish crimson, of which one is placed near the apex, and another forms an irregular transverse bar across the centre; the internal ones narrowing towards the base; petals broadly ovate acuminate, narrowed into a claw at the base, the margins entire, undulated, white like the sepals, with three or four rounder and smaller spots; lip oblong-ovate, with the shortly cuspidate apex recurved, the margins toothletted and much crisped, white, with a rich yellow stain on the disk, and a broad brown-crimson blotch on the anterior portion, the edges of the produced lobes inflected yellow striped with red, and broken up into a few short acute teeth; from its base proceed three blunt yellow ridges, of which the central one stops short with a blunt point, and the two side ones are continued into acute projecting yellow horns, having about midway an erect tooth on the upper margin. Column arcuately clavate, yellowish, winged, the wings white stripped with brown, toothed in the upper part, the teeth large, irregular, and set on behind the margin of the brownish prominent edge of the stigmatic cavity.

Odontoglossum Alexandræ Cooksonii, Williams and Moore, supra.

It is with the greatest pleasure that we are now enabled to present to the notice of our readers an illustration of this most splendid variety, which is, no doubt one of the best of the spotted forms of the Princess of Wales’s Odontoglot, Odontoglossum Alexandræ (crispum). We are greatly indebted to N. C. Cookson, Esq. of Wylam-on-Tyne, in whose honour it is named, for his kindness in sending such ample materials for figuring so splendid a variety. We are constantly receiving examples of charming forms of this beautiful Odontoglot, which is sought after so much by those who grow cool Orchids, for the plants take no more, or but little more room or heat than the commonest greenhouse plants. Indeed, they are quite easily grown when they get the proper treatment, and are planted in proper material. They must be kept cool during the summer months; and in winter the thermometer may range from 45° to 55°.

Odontoglossum Alexandræ Cooksonii is en evergreen plant, growing like O. Alexandræ itself, along with which it was imported. The sepsis and petals are white, irregularly and heavily marked with brownish crimson; while the lip, which is of the some colour—white, and spotted with brownish crimson, bears in addition a golden yellow crest. It flowers during the summer, and lasts for about six weeks in bloom, requiring the same treatment as O. Alexandræ, which has been fully explained under [Plate 47] of our first volume.

The Orchids at Dunlop House, Ayrshire, the seat of T. D. Cunningham Graham, Esq., include several wonderful specimens that have been many years attaining their present size; while it is remarkable to find such plants in perfect health. We were delighted to find such an example as may here be seen, of Angræcum sesquipedale, which from its size must have been one of those brought from Madagascar some years ago by the Rev. W. Ellis. This plant was nearly four feet in height, with two breaks at the bottom, and six flower spikes, perfect as a specimen, and such as those who are fond of well-grown plants would consider worth a long journey to see. Opposite to this were some remarkably fine plants of Vanda suavis, one of which is nine feet high in the main stem, with seven fine growths of four feet high, and five smaller growths. We believe we may safely say that this is one of the finest specimens we have ever seen. Vanda tricolor is nearly equally fine, having the main stem eight feet high, supplemented by four growths four feet high. There are besides other fine Orchids in the same house, and some good foliage plants, of which there is a fine collection. We have often heard it stated that Orchids cannot be successfully grown unless there is a house set apart for them; but the fact that these Vandas, Angræcums, &c., are grown in company with ordinary stove plants, at once upsets this notion, and proves that any one having a good stove may cultivate in them these most beautiful Orchids, which, we may add, are nearly always in bloom.

After leaving these grand plants we entered the principal Orchid house, wherein we also found many well-grown plants. We specially noticed Dendrochilum filiforme, a fine specimen, which had produced a great number of its drooping spikes. Vanda cœrulea was finely in bloom, as were Phalænopsis violacea, with its pretty violet coloured flowers, and P. grandiflora, a fine plant of a good variety. We were also glad to see the rare Cœlogyne ocellata maxima, a chaste and pretty Orchid. Arundina bambusifolia, was well in bloom, with four spikes of its light rose sepals and petals, and rich magenta lip. There were many fine Cattleyas and Lælias making good growths for next year; also Cypripedium superbiens, a fine specimen, and one of the best of the barbatum section. Next to it was a very large C. Dominianum, a pretty free-blooming hybrid, which continues flowering from the same spike for some months, a new flower coming on as soon as one goes off. There are many interesting plants grown at this place, and Mr. Kemp, the gardener, seems to take great interest in them, which is the way to ensure success.—B. S. W.

PL. 119. CYPRIPEDIUM SPICERIANUM.

CYPRIPEDIUM SPICERIANUM.
[[Plate 119].]
Native of Assam.

Epiphytal. Stemless, with spreading distichous evergreen foliage. Leaves few, oblong-ligulate, sub-acute, heeled beneath, and there purple-spotted towards the base, six to eight inches long or more, thick and leathery in texture, of a dull glossy green colour. Peduncles erect, issuing from an oblong compressed basal sheath, dark reddish-purple, puberulous, eight to ten inches high, the flower emerging from an ancipitous linear-oblong obtuse bract shorter than the purplish three-ribbed ovary. Flowers about three and a half inches across, with a large pouch or lip; dorsal sepal large, standard-like, the base green, hairy, cuneate, suddenly expanding into an ovate, bluntly apiculate, transversely oblong lamina, two inches broad, the sides of which are recurved, auriculæform, white, or in some forms tinted with pink, the keel or central line being marked with a well-defined purple stripe; lateral sepals short, connate, ovate, acute, whitish-green; petals ligulate or linear-oblong, laterally deflexed, the margins neatly wavy, but most so upon the upper side, pale yellowish-green, with a median purple line and numerous purple freckles over the surface; lip large, the pouch somewhat bell-shaped, with round everted auricles on each side, and a broad acute sinus in front, glossy, olive green, with the anterior part dark reddish-brown. Column short, hairy. Staminode subquadrate, obsoletely three-lobed in front, mauve-purple, with a white border, and yellow markings in the centre.

Cypripendium Spicerianum, Reichenbach fil., in litteris ad cl. Veitch, December, 1878; Id. Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S. xiii., 363; Id. L’Illustration Horticole, t. 473; Id. Xenia Orchidacea, t. 231; Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S. xiii, 40, fig. 7 (woodcut); Hooker fil., Botanical Magazine, t. 6490; Moore, Florin and Pomologist, 1882, 179 (woodcut); Garden, xvii., 169 (woodcut); xxiii., t. 378 (coloured figure of blush variety).

There is, no doubt, that this Lady’s Slipper, which was first received in England by Herbert Spicer, Esq., of Woodlands, Godalming, in whose honour it is named, is one of the most interesting and distinct species that has been introduced of late years. It was also at one time very rare, and realised high prices, being much sought after in consequence of its being so different from the other species known in cultivation; but now that it has been brought home in larger quantities it is more accessible. The plant may be cultivated in any warm moist house, and is of free-growing habit, as well as free in producing its blossoms. There are several slight variations differing in the size and colour or their flowers. That which we here figure has the dorsal sepal white, while some plants have a shade of rose colour towards the base. Our drawing was taken from a plant in the Nurseries of Messrs. Hugh Low & Co. of Clapton, who received a fine importation about two years ago. Messrs. F. Sander & Co. have also added to our stock of this species; and we learn from them that “it grows on almost perpendicular rocks, from which the plants are loosened with sticks, and so let down, during the months of May and September. The water runs over these rocks—not in streams, of course, but sufficient water hangs round the plants to keep the soil and moss which is about them as wet as water itself. During the winter months this Cypripedium should not be grown hot.”

Cypripedium Spicerianum is a dwarf evergreen plant, with light glossy green foliage, six inches or upwards in length, and throws up its flowers on purplish downy stalks, some eight or ten inches above the foliage. The flowers are very peculiar, from the singular twisting of the dorsal sepal, which is white, or in some varieties suffused with rose, green at the very base, and having a broad purplish stripe along the centre; the petals, which are prettily waved especially along the upper edge, are green, with a central stripe and numerous dots of purple; and the lip is large, and of a brownish-green. The staminode in this species is very brilliant and conspicuous, being of a beautiful mauve-purple, with a white border. The plants bloom during September and October; and when a number of them can be obtained, and their growth regulated, they may be kept flowering for a much longer time, as each individual blossom lasts several weeks in beauty.

This interesting novelty requires the same treatment as C. Stonei, that is, to be potted in rough fibrous peat, intermixed with some charcoal and sphagnum moss; good drainage must also be afforded, as the roots must be kept moist during the growing season; in fact, they should never be allowed to get dry, as it has no thick fleshy bulbs or stems to support it. We find it do well in a warm house with other Cypripeds. Pot culture is the most suitable for it, but it will succeed in baskets suspended from the roof, if shaded from the sun.

Odontoglossum Alexandræ.—We have received a splendid variety of this popular Orchid from J. S. Bockett, Esq., of The Hall, Stamford Hill. The inflorescence was very distinct, and consisted of flowers of good form and substance, with the margins beautifully serrated. The sepals and petals were white flushed with rose, the sepals being in addition spotted with reddish brown, and the white lip was also spotted with brown. The flowers were, moreover, nicely regulated on the spike, so that the entire inflorescence had a particularly good appearance.—B. S. W.

PL. 120. DENDROBIUM DEAREI.

DENDROBIUM DEAREI.
[[Plate 120].]
Native of Mindanao, Philippine Islands.

Epiphytal. Stems stoutish, many-leaved, two to three feet high, marked by numerous furrows, and invested by the sheathing leaf bases. Leaves densely placed, oblong-ligulate, emarginate at the apex, leathery in texture, two inches or more in length, sub-deciduous. Racemes numerous (six to nine) on one stem, issuing from the uppermost joints, each bearing from ten to eighteen flowers, terminal or sub-terminal. Flowers three inches across, pure white, exceedingly chaste and delicate, attached by three-winged ovaries; sepals lanceolate, acuminate, keeled; petals rhomboid-oblong obtuse; lip oblong obtuse, apiculate, the anterior part crenulate, with an obtuse angle on each side towards the base, which is somewhat cucullate, pure white, like the rest of the flower, but with a small blotch of pale green on the disk, crossed by about half a dozen green lines; spur or chin extinguisher-shaped. Column much dilated at the base.

Dendrobium Dearei, Reichenbach fil., in Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S., xviii., 361.

This new species, which was imported last year, has now bloomed in many collections, and has proved to be one of the most beautiful and chaste amongst white-flowered Orchids—one that every Orchidophilist will admire, since it has so many good qualities to recommend it, being free-blooming, of a pure white, and lasting long in flower; moreover, each flower can be cut separately for button-hole or bouquet use, and the plant is also very effective for decorative and exhibition purposes during the summer months. Thus, by having a goodly number of plants, it may be brought in for several successive months; and the stronger the plant is grown the finer will be its flowers. The individual plants vary somewhat, which may be caused partly by some specimens being weakly, and in that case they will improve as they gain strength. It appears to be a very free grower, but time must prove that, and also if the plants are of long duration or not. Many of our Dendrobes last but a few years, and then require to be re-imported. Our sketch is from a well-grown plant in the grand collection of Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., M.P., where we saw several other examples in bloom, some of them being very strong, and bearing as many as thirty flowers on a single stem.

Dendrobium Dearei, named in compliment to Colonel Deare, by whom it was first brought forward, is partly deciduous, losing the older leaves after it has bloomed; this is its aspect at present, but when we get it into a good growing state its foliage may perhaps stand for a longer time. It produces its flowers in spikes from the top of the stem, and also from the side towards their upper end, many together on the spike; they are pure white, with a little delicate green blotch and veins in the hollowed-out throat. The blooming season occurs during the summer months, and the individual flowers last for several weeks in beauty.

This species will do either in baskets or pots, filled with rough fibrous peat, sphagnum moss, and good drainage, to which a few small lumps of charcoal may be added. It will also thrive on blocks, with live sphagnum moss about the roots; but cultivated in this manner the plants require a more abundant supply of moisture during the growing season. It is a plant that likes to be grown near the light, and the East India house seems to suit it well. Both those in pots and those in baskets require to be kept moist at the roots during their period of growth; and, like other species of Dendrobe, this enjoys a good season of rest to cause it to flower more freely. The plants must be kept free from insects, and can be propagated by dividing the clusters of stems, leaving two or three to each division. After they are separated they should be put into a shady place until they begin to grow, when they may be allowed more light.

Masdevallia Chimæra.—We saw a wonderfully fine plant of this curious Orchid in the collection of the Marquis of Lothian, at Newbattle Abbey, Dalkeith, N.B. The plant was suspended from the roof of the house, and bore several finely expanded flowers, each measuring twenty inches across from the tip of one tail to that of the opposite one. The flowers were large in all their parts, of a dark purple colour, beautifully spotted and clothed on the interior surface with dark hairs, which is a peculiar feature of this section of the Masdevallias. Mr. Priest was kind enough to send us some flowers of this species for figuring, but unfortunately they withered before they reached us. It has always been so when flowers of this species have been sent to us, as they last for so short a time when cut from the plant.—B. S. W.

PL. 121. CATTLEYA LABIATA PALLIDA.

CATTLEYA LABIATA PALLIDA.
[[Plate 121].]
Native of Brazil.

Epiphytal. Stems (pseudobulbs) erect, club-shaped, furrowed in age, eight to ten inches high, monophyllous, evergreen. Leaves oblong obtuse, leathery in texture, about ten inches long, of a lively green colour. Scape two-flowered, issuing from a short oblong bluntish sheath. Flowers large, six to seven inches deep, and six inches broad, superbly coloured; sepals lanceolate, three and a half inches in length, plane, recurved at the tip, of a delicate magenta blush, the lateral ones slightly smaller, of the same colour, with a paler central band, streaky; petals broadly ovate (two and a half inches wide), finely undulated at the margin, narrowed towards the base, of the same colour as the sepals, but with the base of the costa whitish; lip upwards of three inches long, obovate, the basal lobes connivent over the column, faintly stained with magenta, the front edge at the mouth of the tube spreading, of a creamy yellow, and undulated; the front lobe roundish, expanded, very finely undulated, deeply emarginate, the blush-tinted edge enclosing a band of creamy yellow, which becomes narrower towards the apex, where the roundish blotch (one and a half inches wide) of rich deep magenta runs out nearly to the margin, behind which, and extending backwards within the throat, is a radiate series of orange-yellow veins, with magenta coloured veins on each side within the tube. Column clavate, enclosed by the base of the lip.

Cattleya labiata pallida, Hort.; Williams, Orchid Growers’ Manual, 5 ed., 122.

The fine variety of Cattleya labiata here illustrated, which was introduced many years since, is still quite rare, indeed, as much so as the type itself. It is a most beautiful variety, and the plant, though seldom seen, is a most useful one, since it blooms at a time when there are comparatively few Orchids in flower, although some other of the Cattleyas that have been introduced during the last few years blossom at the same time. The plant from which our drawing was taken bore forty-eight expanded flowers, and was a grand example of good cultivation. It was grown in the superb collection of the Comte de Germiny, at Gouville, France, and was most perfect as regards foliage and flowers. Mr. Rondeau, the gardener, seemed delighted to show us this plant, as he might well be, as it made a grand floral picture. We gave a description of this fine collection after our visit to Gouville, as noted under [Plate 108].

Cattleya labiata pallida is an evergreen plant, with the stems or pseudobulbs about eight inches in height, supporting one thick bright green leaf, about ten inches in length, and is one of the most compact-growing Cattleyas we have. The sepals and petals are of a deep rose colour, the lip of a yellowish white, with a large patch of bright magenta, the fore part margined with pale rose, and the throat bright orange. It blossoms in July, August, and September, and continues in beauty from three to four weeks.

This plant is best grown in a pot, with rough fibrous peat, perfect drainage being secured by filling the pots three-parts full with crocks, and mixing a few lumps of charcoal with the top of the drainage, and also with the peat, as this keeps the latter more open; the roots, moreover, like to cling to it, so that it is very beneficial to the plants. The plants should be well elevated above the top of the pot, and then the roots will run all over the soil among the charcoal and fibre, which they delight to grow in. When potted in this way the material keeps sweet for a much longer time, as the water is directly carried away and cannot become stagnant about the roots. The great secret is to have good drainage and sweet material for the roots to work in. If the soil gets bad remove it, and give the plants a fresh supply without injuring the roots.

Cattleyas do not like to be kept too moist at the roots even in their growing season; and when their growth is completed only just sufficient must be applied to keep their bulbs and foliage plump. We find it beneficial when Cattleyas are in vigorous growth to syringe the plants slightly between the pots, and should they have roots outside syringe these also a little, as it will invigorate them. Care must be taken not to wet the young growths, as water is apt to rot them, or cause than to damp off. It is an excellent method in the hot days of summer to pour water on the tables every morning and afternoon, giving air whenever there is an opportunity. Let them have all the light possible, using the blinds during the time the sun is hot, but never allowing the blinds to be down when the sun is on the decline. A great deal of the success of the plant depends on getting strong and well matured growth, which also causes the flowers to come more freely, to open of a brighter colour, and to last longer in bloom.

We find Cattleya labiata pallida to thrive best at the warmest end of the Cattleya house. It must be kept free from insects, as cleanliness is with all plants a great help towards successful development. The thrips and white scale attack these, and if not removed their foliage soon becomes disfigured, and the growth is often mortally injured.

PL. 122. CYPRIPEDIUM CURTISII.

CYPRIPEDIUM CURTISII.
[[Plate 122].]
Native of the Sunda Isles, Asiatic Archipelago.

Epiphytal. Acaulescent. Leaves distichous, coriaceous, oblong acute, recurved, channelled and equitant at the base, of a dull green, the upper surface boldly chequered with oblong markings of darker green, the under side keeled with the surface paler and unspotted. Scape (peduncle) pubescent, dull wine-purple, with a short compressed ovate bract just below the ovary, which is green striped with brown. Flowers solitary, remarkable for the small dorsal sepal and large pouch; dorsal sepal short, ovate acuminate, curving from the base upwards, greenish with a white edge and about ten greenish-purple nerves; lateral sepals united, very small, ovate, greenish with green veins; petals measuring about four inches from tip to tip, linear-oblong, acute, wavy, recurved at the tips, greenish in the upper, white in the lower half, indistinctly veined with purple, and thickly spotted with small purple dots, the margin copiously fringed throughout with short purple hairs; lip with a large oblong bluntly-rounded pouch (one and a half inch long) of a dull wine-purple with a few prominent darker purple veins, the upper edge of the sac with narrow side angles greenish inside, the basal part with the edges rolled inwards and dotted with purple. Staminode transversely oblong, emarginate behind and having in front an inwardly curved tooth on each side with an apiculus between, pale yellowish green, with darker green reticulations in the centre.

Cypripedium Curtisii, Reichenbach fil., in Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S., xx. 8.

This new species is both distinct and rare. It is, moreover, very beautiful and one that every lover of Cypripediums will be looking after. There are some cultivators who do not care for this class of Orchids, and there are some others who grow all the species and varieties they can procure, making the collecting of them a hobby. We can fully understand the pleasurable feelings of these latter, as the plants are ornamental in foliage as well as in flower, thus always keeping up a good appearance; they are also very easy of cultivation, and most of them take but little room to grow in. There are now so many species and varieties—blooming, too, at different periods of the year—that a good display of flowers may always be had from them; and there are some of the species that will do in the Odontoglossum and intermediate houses, added to which their long-enduring quality scores as a great point in their favour. We are never without Cypripediums in bloom.

The specimen we are now figuring was flowered by J. Day, Esq., of Tottenham, who, we are glad to say, after parting with one of the largest and most rare collections of Orchids at that time existing, is now fast forming another collection. We have no hesitation in saying that Mr. Day has, to a greater extent perhaps than any other amateur Orchidophilist, a correct knowledge of the genera and species of Orchids. His first collection was of many years’ standing, and was the most complete as regards species and varieties that we ever saw; he not only had the plants under cultivation, but had besides many drawings taken by artists, and also took pleasure in sketching and painting them himself. We believe he still takes sketches of all the novelties which he himself blooms, as well as of some of those flowered by other growers, being a most proficient artist. All this shows what an intense love he has for this noble class of plants.

Cypripedium Curtisii, as will be seen by our drawing, is an evergreen plant with charmingly spotted foliage. The flowers are well thrown up above the foliage; the dorsal sepal is white veined with green, the petals crimson flushed with green and faintly veined and spotted with purple, and margined with a dense fringe of purple hairs, while the lip is large and of a reddish brown hue. This species blooms in July, and continues in beauty for several weeks. It requires the same treatment as C. barbatum and others of that class, and from its appearance we conclude that it will be found to be a free-growing as well as a free-blooming plant.

Zygopetalum Burkei.—This new species was exhibited by Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons at the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society, on November 13th, and was greatly admired both on account of its distinct character and novel appearance. The pseudobulbs are about three inches long, carrying long narrow leaves; the sepals and petals are green transversely barred and spotted with brown; and the lip is white, and furnished with a crimson ruff or frill. It has been introduced from Guiana. Altogether this is a most distinct and desirable species, and we hope shortly to figure it.—H. W.

Cymbidium elegans.—W. McDonald, Esq., Woodlands, Perth, has kindly sent us a fine spike of this rare and distinct species. The spikes are very dense, and contain a large number of yellow flowers, which are very distinct. Mr. McDonald informs us that his plant bears seven spikes of flowers, a rather unusual number, and a fact which we think worth recording.—H. W.

PL. 123. LÆLIA GRANDIS.

LÆLIA GRANDIS.
[[Plate 123].]
Native of Bahia, Brazil.