In another house are some other fine Vandas, associated with ornamental

Stove Plants. Doing well in the same house, near the door, are a

quantity of plants of _Vanda teres_, planted out in a compost of moss

and charcoal, which is kept together on the stage of the house by a

wirework edging. Here the plants are allowed to grow freely until they

touch the glass, when they are cut down and replanted. All the light

possible is given them, together with a copious supply of water, and the

plants flower luxuriantly every year. Mr. Bergman, Jun., informed us

that last year 651 flowers were cut from these plants. We recommend

cultivators to give this plant a trial in the way above described, as it

is one of the richest gems of the Orchid world. _Coelogyne Massangeana_

was doing well; one plant, having ten spikes, was suspended from the

roof, and was an object never to be forgotten.

H. Williams.

[Illustration: PL. 64.

ODONTOGLOSSUM ROEZLII.]

ODONTOGLOSSUM ROEZLII.

[Plate 64.]

_Native of Colombia._

Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ narrowly ovate, two inches long, compressed,

with acute margins. _Leaves_ elongately linear-lanceolate, acuminate,

nearly or quite a foot in length, keeled behind, and there marked with

nine nervose striæ, the colour a clear pale green. _Scapes_ short,

slender, terete, three to six-flowered (according to Rchb.), erect,

with subulate pale green bracts shorter than the pedicels, which pass

gradually into the slender grooved ovary. _Flowers_ three to four

inches across, flat, exceedingly chaste and effective; _sepals_

obovate-oblong acute, sub-equal, snow-white; _petals_ similar to the

lateral sepals in form, but rather broader, pure white, marked with a

distinct transverse purplish-red band at their base; _lip_ large, two

and a half inches across, broadly obcordate, or cuneately flabellate,

obtusely bilobed, with a mucro in the sinus, sagittate or bearing a

spur-like horn directed upwards and backwards on each side at the base

of the short claw, and having three short slender keels on the disk in

front of the horns, and a pair of short calli interposed; the disk has

a largish yellow blotch streaked with red, while the rest of the

surface is snow-white. _Column_ short, wingless.

Odontoglossum Roezlii, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners' Chronicle_,

1873, 1302, fig. 269; _Id._ _Xenia Orchidacea_, t. 182, fig. 1;

_Hooker fil._, _Botanical Magazine_, t. 6085; _Bateman_, _Monograph of

Odontoglossum_, t. 30; _Floral Magazine_, ser. 2, t. 90.

This grand Odontoglot, which has been designated "a first-class beauty,"

and which comes near to _Odontoglossum vexillarium_, was introduced in

1873 by Mr. B. Roezl, the very successful traveller and Orchid hunter,

who has so well worked up the greater part of the Western hemisphere in

the search after these plants, and to whose zeal and energy Orchid

growers are so deeply indebted for the many rich gems he has introduced

to cultivation. The species was most properly named by Professor

Reichenbach after Mr. Roezl, and we are glad to be able to figure it, in

order to remind Orchid growers how much they owe to the unflinching

perseverance of one who has now retired from active life among his

favourites. The best compost in which to cultivate this plant, is a

mixture of peat and moss, with good drainage.

_Odontoglossum Roezlii_ is one of the few Odontoglots that require to be

grown in a warm temperature. The Cattleya house will be found to be the

best position for it, and if the plants are suspended either in pots or

in baskets from the roof of the house, where a copious supply of water

can be given to them, they will be found to thrive well. This species is

particularly liable to the attacks of the thrips, and great care should

be exercised in searching for and destroying them. We have found flowers

of sulphur mixed with water, and applied to the young growths with a

camel's-hair pencil, very beneficial in preventing the attacks of this

insect, while the application does not at all injure the young and

tender parts. The thrips has a great aversion to sulphur--in fact will

not go near it.

The drawing from which our plate is prepared was taken from the select

collection of D. Tod, Esq., Eastwood Park, Thorliebank, near Glasgow,

who is not only forming a nice collection of Orchids, but who flowers

this species very freely, and cultivates it better than we have seen it

grown in any other collection. We have had these plants under our notice

for the past three years, and believe Mr. Tod's gardener has hit upon

the right method of treatment, the plants being very strong and

vigorous, with clean healthy foliage. The specimens at Eastwood Park are

grown in a warm house, near the glass, with plenty of moisture during

the summer season, and even in winter they are kept moist at the roots.

Orchids at Bickley.--We are glad to see the East Indian Orchids well

represented in the new collection being got together by F. A. Philbrick,

Esq., Q.C., at Bickley. They are grown in a house where they are

associated with stove plants. Here are seen some fine examples of

_Vanda_, _Saccolabium guttatum_ in bloom, also a wonderful specimen of

_Aërides affine_, with many spikes just coming into flower. We,

moreover, noticed some fine plants of _Cypripedium_ in bloom in the same

house. The cool house is well filled with fine examples of

_Odontoglossum_ and _Masdevallia_, which are promising to make fine

plants. Many kinds of _Masdevallia_ were in bloom when we saw them,

amongst them an especially fine dark variety of _M. ignea_ in full

beauty, and some varieties of _M. Harryana_ were very bright in colour.

_Odontoglossum Alexandræ_ was well represented by several varieties in

bloom. A cool and airy house is set apart for _Dendrobiums_, and

alongside this is a house devoted entirely to _Phalænopsis_ containing a

fine lot of healthy plants, all hanging in baskets near the light, but

shaded from the sun, which bid fair to eclipse their predecessors in

this collection.--B. S. W.

Cattleya superba.--We have received a very fine spike of blossom of this

splendid _Cattleya_ from the choice collection of O. Schneider, Esq.,

Cromwell Grange, Fallowfield, near Manchester. The inflorescence was cut

from a remarkably well-grown specimen, and bore six flowers. We have

never seen better managed plants of this species than are to be found at

this place; they do great credit to Mr. Holmes.--B. S. W.

Cattleya virginalis.--A fine variety of this chaste Orchid comes to us

from R. P. Percival, Esq., Birkdale, Southport. The sepals and petals

are pure white, and the lip white, with an orange spot at the entrance

to the throat. This species is very strongly scented.--B. S. W.

[Illustration: PL. 65.

COMPARETTIA MACROPLECTRON.]

COMPARETTIA MACROPLECTRON.

[Plate 65.]

_Native of New Grenada._

Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ small, oblong, truncate, compressed or

flattish, with the angles rounded, of a pinkish colour, monophyllous

or sometimes a second leaf sheathing the bulb. _Leaves_ oblong

ligulate, acute, keeled, bright green, shining. _Peduncles_ slender,

drooping, lateral, sheathed at the base by ovate-lanceolate bracts,

and bearing a secund raceme of flowers having minute scale-like bracts

at the base of their inch-long pedicels. _Flowers_ large, of a

delicate rose colour, prettily spotted; _dorsal sepal_ ligulate acute,

umbonate at the back near the base; _lateral sepals_ ligulate acute,

fornicate, connate into a slender pointed spur two inches in length,

all blush-white, thickly spotted with purple; _petals_ cuneate-ovate

acute, purplish rose, covered with deep rosy purple dots; _lip_ with a

pair of blunt-angled auricles at the base, and a linear keel-shaped

claw, the anterior lobe subquadrate, an inch and a half broad,

emarginate with an apiculus, of a pleasing delicate tint of soft

magenta-rose, deeper near the claw, where it is marked by a few purple

spots, the sides crenate or repand, the two included spurs of the lip

elongate, and finely papulose, orange coloured in the inferior half.

_Column_ free, erect, with a perpendicular ridge in the middle of the

stigmatic hollow.

Comparettia macroplectron, _Reichenbach fil. et Triana_, in

_Gardeners' Chronicle_, N.S., x., 524; _Id._ xi. 398.

The Comparettias form a small genus of very dwarf-growing Orchids, some

of the species of which are, not only very beautiful, but also free

blooming. That which we now illustrate is a most charming plant. The

original, from which the drawing was made, was sent to us by F. A.

Philbrick, Esq., Q.C., of Oldfield, Bickley, and was a well-grown

specimen, which did great credit to Mr. Heims, the gardener. Generally

these plants have not been well managed, but latterly they appear to

have been better looked after, and we have received, from Sir Trevor

Lawrence, Bart., M.P., and others, specimens of other desirable kinds,

which we hope to illustrate in due course. We are glad to find that our

collectors are turning their attention to the importation of the

Comparettias, as there are some lovely species among them. Moreover,

they require but little space to grow them in, and they are always

charming when in blossom.

_Comparettia macroplectron_ is an evergreen and very floriferous plant,

with small peculiarly-shaped pseudobulbs, and short bright green glossy

leaves. The flower-spikes are produced from the base of the pseudobulbs,

and bear five or sometimes more flowers in a drooping raceme. The sepals

and petals are rose colour, the former paler than the latter, and both

are spotted with a deeper tint of rose-purple; the lip is also of a

beautiful delicate rose colour, which becomes deeper and purple-spotted

near the base. The flowers are produced in July and August, and continue

in perfection for some time.

This plant will thrive either in a basket or pan suspended from the

roof, where it can receive a great amount of light, and in order to grow

it successfully this plan should be followed. The species, which are all

small growing subjects, are found on the branches of trees where they

obtain just sufficient shade to screen them from the burning sun, and

where they also get heavy dews at night, and sometimes a great amount of

rain. It is during this rainy period that they make their growth and

produce their flower spikes. Both the foliage and bulbs being small,

they require careful attention as regards moisture at the roots.

We find the most suitable material in which to grow them, is a little

fibrous peat and sphagnum moss with good drainage, so that the water may

pass away without becoming stagnant. Some portion of this material

should be changed each year, just as the plant begins to show signs of

making its growth.

The Comparettias will not submit to be divided or cut; and we find the

Cattleya house the most suitable structure to grow them in. They are

subject to the attacks of white scale, and if these are allowed to

accumulate, the plants will soon show signs of bad health, but if

sufficient care is bestowed to keep them clean they will well repay the

trouble which is taken, and afford great pleasure not only to those who

are fond of Orchids, but also to those who take an interest in watching

these floral treasures as they put out their new growths and beautiful

flowers.

Orchids at Brentham Park, Stirling.--A visit to this place, the

residence of R. Smith, Esq., is at all times a great treat, since it

commands a grand view of the country around, surrounded by the distant

mountains. Our chief source of attraction, of course, was the Orchids,

of which there is here the largest and richest collection in Scotland.

There are many fine plants of Cattleya, such as _C. exoniensis_, the

best variety, which, when in bloom, must present a most gorgeous sight.

_C. amethystoglossa_ is also a fine specimen, and is the same

beautifully spotted variety which was figured in Warner's _Select

Orchidaceous Plants_. _Coelogyne Massangeana_ is a wonderful example of

good cultivation, with its pendulous spikes overhanging the pot. So is

_Zygopetalum Gautieri_, with many spikes of its charming mauve-coloured

flowers; and _Odontoglossum Andersonianum_, with fine branching spikes,

which must be very beautiful when in bloom. Associated with this was a

very fine _O. Alexandræ_, quite one of the best spotted varieties we

have seen, which Mr. Smith kindly sent for our artist to copy.

There are many fine Odontoglots here, which are showing well for bloom.

Since our visit last year there has been a new house erected for the

Cattleyas, of which there is a good and well-grown collection. Mr. Smith

is always looking out for the best varieties that can be procured.--B.

S. W.

[Illustration: PL. 66.

ODONTOGLOSSUM CRISTATELLUM.]

ODONTOGLOSSUM CRISTATELLUM.

[Plate 66.]

_Native of the United States of Columbia._

Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ ovate, one and a half to two inches long,

pale green. _Leaves_ one or two from each pseudobulb, ligulate-oblong,

acute, narrowed to the base, keeled. _Peduncles_ radical, terminating

in a showy raceme of flowers, and furnished below with lanceolate pale

brown bracts, smaller triangular bracts being produced at the base of

the pedicels. _Flowers_ two and a half inches across, attractive in

colour and marking; _sepals_ and _petals_ subhastate, broadish

oblong-ovate above, acuminate, yellow, with a few large rich

chestnut-brown blotches; _lip_ short, narrow, the blade

oblong-panduriform, apiculate, the margin much undulated and minutely

denticulate, yellow at the base and chestnut-brown in front, bearing

at the base of the disk subulate radiate calli, consisting of about

six teeth on each side, and in front of these two rhomboid serrated

lamellæ, all these parts yellowish, streaked (and the keels bordered)

with chestnut-red. _Column_ trigonous, arcuate, with violet spots in

front of its base, and chestnut-red wings.

Odontoglossum cristatellum, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners'

Chronicle_, N.S., x., 716; _Id._ xvii., 143.

Odontoglossum Lehmanni, _F. C. Lehmann in litteris_--fide Reichenbach.

The _Odontoglossum cristatellum_ is described by Prof. Reichenbach as a

near relative of _O. cristatum_. It is, without doubt, a very rare

plant, one that has flowered in but few collections, and is supposed to

be a natural hybrid. It is not perhaps so showy as some other

Odontoglots, but still it is one that is quite worth cultivating. Our

sketch was taken from a well-grown plant in the collection of O.

Schneider, Esq., Cromwell Range, Fallowfield, Manchester. This

gentleman, who has an excellent collection of Orchids, has houses set

apart for the various kinds, and we may say that our visit there gave us

very great satisfaction, as we there saw many well-grown plants of

species that are usually found difficult to cultivate.

_Odontoglossum cristatellum_ is a compact evergreen plant, growing from

ten inches to a foot in height. It is furnished with light green foliage

and produces its flower-spikes at different periods of the year,

according to the time of the completion of its growth; moreover, it

lasts for several weeks in bloom. The plant requires to be grown in the

cool Odontoglossum house, with the same treatment as _O. Alexandræ_, as

regards soil, water, and temperature, fire-heat being always avoided if

possible in summer. The less fire-heat the plants receive the more

successful will be their growth, though, of course, in cold weather,

some little fire will be required to keep the house up to the correct

temperature, at the same time giving a little air, but avoiding cold

draughts.

The Odontoglots are among the most accommodating of Orchids, as they are

free-growing, and most of them free-blooming subjects. By having a stock

of plants, a succession of flowers may be kept up all the year round in

the case of such kinds as _Odontoglossum Alexandræ_, _O. Pescatorei_,

and others. There are some amateurs who are not satisfied unless they

possess some thousands of plants of the two species just named, and they

argue correctly, that by obtaining so many they have the opportunity of

selecting the good kinds for permanent cultivation, and of doing away

with the bad ones, or else of using them for ordinary decorative

purposes. The good varieties take up no more room than the indifferent

ones, and both are valuable and beautiful in their respective

departments.

Orchids at The Kilns, Falkirk, N.B., the seat of John Gair, Esq.--A

short time since we paid a visit to this place, and we were well repaid

for our journey. We always maintain that there is something to be learnt

in every place, and we found it so here. Thus we often hear it remarked

that Orchids and stove plants cannot be grown together, but we found in

this collection that many stove plants were grown in the centre bed,

while Orchids were suspended from the roof, the side tables also being

full of Orchids. In this case the house was a large span-roofed one, and

contained many kinds of Orchids, coming from countries various and

diverse. The plants, consisting of many hundreds, were all grown

together, and there was not one in bad condition among them. We propose

to mention the different genera which have been cultivated in this house

for several successive years, since we have been fortunate enough to be

able to bear testimony to the progress they have made. On entering the

house one's attention is at once arrested by some finely grown specimens

of _Bollea_, _Huntleya_, and _Batemannia_, all in luxuriant health. Next

came _Lælia purpurata_, _L. elegans_, _L. elegans prasiata_, and others,

all in the best possible condition, and flowering freely. There was also

standing on the same table a well-grown collection of _Cypripediums_,

consisting of all the choicest and best kinds, which were growing

splendidly. Mr. Fairbairn appears to use a great deal of water, more

than we do, for we were informed by him that he syringed them every day

in summer, and kept them moist in winter, though at that season he does

not syringe them so much. By the side of these were many fine plants of

_Dendrobiums_, and other good Orchids. At the end, and on the other side

of the house, there was a good collection of East Indian

Orchids--_Aërides_, _Saccolabiums_, _Angræcums_, _Vandas_, &c., all

doing well. Then came a fine lot of _Cattleyas_, such as _C. Trianæ_,

_C. Mendelii_, _C. gigas_, _C. Warnerii_, _C. Mossiæ_, and others, all

in excellent health. The centre table was furnished with many fine

Orchids mixed with foliage plants, and from the roof were suspended such

genera as _Phalænopsis_ and _Dendrobium_, making fine growths, and

enjoying the moisture from the stove plants below.--B. S. W.

[Illustration: PL. 67.

THUNIA BENSONIÆ.]

THUNIA BENSONIÆ.

[Plate 67.]

_Native of India--Rangoon._

Terrestrial. _Stems_ deciduous, terete, one and a half to two feet

high, swelling into tuberous knobs at the base, the lower part clothed

with suborbicular green reflexed leafy sheaths, which, as they advance

upwards, gradually pass into the leaves. _Leaves_ sheathing,

membranous, subdistichous, linear-lanceolate acuminate, glaucous

beneath, six to eight or ten inches long. _Flowers_ large and very

showy, terminal, growing in short nodding racemes of ten to fifteen

together, each emerging from a pale green sheathing bract, which

encloses it while in bud; _sepals_ and _petals_ linear-lanceolate,

partially spreading, two to three inches long, of a light

magenta-purple striately distributed, and paler towards the centre;

_lip_ about three inches long, three-lobed, the lateral lobes short,

obtuse, rolled round the column, toothed; middle lobe broadly oblong,

flabellate, closely undulated and lobulate, of a very rich deep

magenta-purple, the base produced into a short notched spur, the disk

of a rich bronzy orange, bearing several ciliated keels. _Column_

furnished with toothed wings at its apex.

Thunia Bensoniæ, _Hooker fil._, _Botanical Magazine_, t. 5694;

_Williams_, _Orchid Grower's Manual_, 5 ed., 298.

Phaius Bensoniæ, _Hemsley_, in _Gardeners' Chronicle_, N.S., xviii.,

565.

This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and free-flowering of the

Thunias. The colour of its gorgeous flowers is very uncommon in the

Orchid family, and is very charming. It is a plant that should find a

place in every collection, especially when seen in such a form as that

represented in our drawing, taken from a plant to which we alluded when

referring to the Orchids in bloom in the collection of W. Leach, Esq.,

Oakleigh, Fallowfield, Manchester--a collection very ably managed by Mr.

Swan. The Orchid houses at Oakleigh are well arranged, so that the

different temperatures required by plants coming from different

localities are readily obtainable, and the plants being grown near the

glass they have plenty of light. This is a great advantage to Orchids

generally, as by this means the growths get better ripened, and this

enables the plants to flower more freely, and to produce flowers of a

richer colour.

_Thunia Bensoniæ_ is a deciduous plant, losing its stems and foliage

after it has finished its growth. It attains to a height of from

eighteen inches to two feet, or sometimes more when the growths are

strong. We have seen blooming plants eighteen inches in height. The

flowers proceed from the top of the new stems at the time they are

making their growth, and they continue blooming for some time. The

sepals and petals are of a pale magenta colour, while the lip is much

darker, of a rich purple, with a bronzy orange blotch. Sometimes the

spikes produce as many as fifteen of these beautiful blossoms, which was

the case with the plant from which our illustration was taken; they do

not, however, all open at the same time, but follow in succession until

the spike is exhausted.

The Thunias are all deciduous plants, and require different treatment

from that given to evergreen Orchids. After their growth is completed,

they require a season of rest, which must be given by putting them away

in a dry part of the house. It is after they have finished their growth

that their foliage begins to decay, and subsequently falls away. When in

this dormant state they require just sufficient moisture to keep them

from shrivelling. This treatment must be continued until March, when

they will begin to show signs of growth; at that time they must be

shaken out of the pots, the decayed roots cut off, and the plants

re-potted, setting the bulbs one inch below the pot rim, and just into

the soil, so that the young growths are not covered. We find rough

fibrous peat and sphagnum moss suitable material for growing them in,

and good drainage is indispensable, as the plants require a considerable

amount of water when they are in a vigorous state, as their growth and

flowering are both completed in about six months. Water should be

sparingly applied until the stems are a few inches high, just sufficient

being given to keep them moist until the roots are beginning to fill the

pots; then a little manure water will benefit them, making them grow

stronger and flower more freely.

They are of easy cultivation, and do not require deep pots, indeed pans

from three to four inches deep will suit them, and they may be suspended

from the roof, where they can get plenty of light. They will, however,

thrive on tables if they receive all the light possible, and are shaded

from the sun. We have also grown them on blocks, but grown in this way

they require more frequent and copious supplies of water.

Thunias are readily propagated by taking off some of the old bulbs when

the young growths are about ten inches in height, but only part of the

old bulb should be removed or cut off, dividing it in pieces of about

six inches in length, and placing these in sand. The growths proceed

from the joints, and these make plants during the season; they must be

potted in due course, and often bloom during their second year.

Odontoglossum coronarium miniatum.--We received in August last from the

garden of Lord Rendlesham, M.P., Woodbridge, Suffolk, a fine

inflorescence of this rare Odontoglot, which is seldom seen in flower.

The spike bore twelve of its gay-looking yellow and brown flowers. In

growth it resembles _O. coronarium_, only it is much smaller; the

flowers also resemble those of that species, but they are, like the

growth, considerably smaller. Many growers believe this to be the same

as _O. brevifolium_, but the two plants are quite distinct, both in

flower and in growth, besides which _O. brevifolium_ is much the freer

flowerer of the two.--B. S. W.

[Illustration: PL. 68.

ODONTOGLOSSUM PESCATOREI VEITCHIANUM.]

ODONTOGLOSSUM PESCATOREI VEITCHIANUM.

[Plate 68.]

_Native of New Grenada._

Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ roundish or bluntly ovate, slightly-ribbed,

about an inch high, diphyllous. _Leaves_ strap-shaped or

lorate-oblong, narrowed both to the base and apex, six inches long, of

a deep green colour. _Peduncle_ springing from the base of the

pseudobulb, a foot in height in the only specimen which has yet

flowered, bearing a raceme of about half-a-dozen flowers rather

closely placed back to back at its upper end, with minute bracts at

the base of their pedicels. _Flowers_ two and a half inches across,

the most beautiful which have yet appeared amongst the forms of this

species; _sepals_ oblong acute, over an inch in length, pure white,

marked with two or three transverse curved bars of the richest

crimson-purple or wine-purple; _petals_ broadly ovate apiculate,

slightly wavy, white, more irregularly transversely blotched than the

sepals with the same rich purple colour; _lip_ undulated at the edge,

heart-shaped at the base, contracted in the middle, dilated and

cuspidate at the apex, white with a few purple spots round the basal

lobes, the disk including the contracted parts bright yellow,

furnished on each side with a flat lacerated appendage streaked with

red, having a pair of parallel plates between, and bearing a few deep

red spots. _Column_ with short lacerated wings.

Odontoglossum Pescatorei Veitchianum, _Reichenbach fil._, in

_Gardeners' Chronicle_, N.S., xvii., 588; _Moore_, _Florist and

Pomologist_, 1882, 76.

There is no doubt that _Odontoglossum Pescatorei_ is one of the most

beautiful species of this extensive and exceedingly beautiful genus of

Orchids. Its flowers borne in fine branching panicles, are most pleasing

in their form and character, and of a chaste and lovely whiteness,

besides which the plant is one of the most free-growing of the

Odontoglots. There are in our collections many forms of this species,

and most of them are well worthy of cultivation, the flowers being for

the most part good in shape and of a pure white, which is a colour

generally sought after by those who have a keen taste for floral beauty.

A hundred of these gems can be cultivated in a small space, and they can

now be purchased at so cheap a rate that they are within reach of

everyone who can afford to erect a small house; and being really cool

Orchids they require but little fire heat at any time, and none whatever

during the summer months.

The variety, _Veitchianum_, which we now introduce to our readers, bears

most charmingly and wonderfully spotted flowers, as will be seen from

the accompanying plate. It bloomed last spring for the first time in the

fine collection of Orchids belonging to Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, of

Chelsea, who imported it with many thousands of plants referrible to

this specific type, and amongst them many hundreds of good kinds have

been flowered, but none approaching in richness of hue or in beauty of

marking, to the one now before us. We hope the Messrs. Veitch may be

fortunate enough to bloom more of the same, as cultivators will be glad

to procure it for their collections. The plant in question has, we

understand, now passed out of their hands into Baron J. H. Schroeder's

collection at Staines.

_Odontoglossum Pescatorei Veitchianum_ has the same habit of growth as

the type. The flowers on the specimen which bloomed last year, and was

certificated both by the Royal Horticultural and Royal Botanic

Societies, formed a close raceme, and were large and showy, the sepals

and petals being white, heavily transversely blotched at the base with a

lovely shade of crimson-purple, the lip being also white, and spotted

around the base with the same colour, while the bright yellow disk was

striately marked with crimson. This specimen bore several flowers on the

spike, and we have no doubt that as the plant increases in strength the

spikes will branch into panicles, as those of most of the plants of _O.

Pescatorei_ are branching in habit. They are graceful in appearance, and

of long duration, which renders them most useful for decorative

purposes, the more so as even when cut and placed in water they keep

fresh for a long time. The treatment these plants require is the same as

that of _O. Alexandræ_ and the other cool-house Orchids.

The greatest pest in the cultivation of cool Orchids, and one which is

consequently a great annoyance to cultivators, is a small black slug

that takes up its home in the moss and about the plants, and which often

eats many of the young flower spikes when they first appear. These

should be sought after night and morning as it is at these periods they

do their mischief. They seem to enjoy the temperature of the cool Orchid

house. The method we adopt for catching them is to look the moss

carefully over at once, when the spikes first appear, and be sure there

are no slugs allowed to remain among it; then we place a wire round the

pot, and suspend it from the roof, and in this manner we secure the

flower spikes. This is done when they are young, which is the favourite

time for these marauders to attack them. The plants are well worth this

trouble, as after watching them for a length of time it is most annoying

to find the flowers destroyed.

Odontoglossum Alexandræ.--We have received from H. J. Buchan, Esq.,

Wilton House, Southampton, a grand spike of a fine variety of this most

variable Orchid. The flowers are large, and of fine form and substance;

the sepals and petals are pure white, beautifully serrated; the lip is

broad and distinctly coloured on the upper part. This is one of the best

forms of _O. Alexandræ_ we have met with. Mr. Buchan has a good

collection of cool Orchids, and has been growing them for many

years.--B. S. W.

Odontoglossum Jenningsianum.--R. Smith, Esq., Brentham Park, Stirling,

has sent us a splendid inflorescence of this novelty. The flowers are

produced in a panicle, which is much branched, and bears numerous

blossoms. This species somewhat resembles a spotted form of _O.

Alexandræ_ in the markings of the flowers, but the form is more like

that of _O. Andersonianum_.--B. S. W.

[Illustration: PL. 69.

CATTLEYA ACLANDIÆ.]

CATTLEYA ACLANDIÆ.

[Plate 69.]

_Native of Bahia._

Epiphytal. _Stems_ (pseudobulbs) clavate, slightly furrowed, jointed,

four to five inches long, sheathed at the joints with membranaceous

spathes. _Leaves_ terminal, two in number, elliptic, obtuse, thick and

fleshy in texture, dark green. _Scape_ terminal, bearing about two

flowers and issuing from between the leaves. _Flowers_ large, about

three inches across, and strikingly beautiful from the boldly

contrasted colours; _sepals_ and _petals_ nearly equal, somewhat

fleshy, obovate-lanceolate, yellowish green heavily and transversely

blotched and spotted with rich dark chocolate-purple, the markings

more distinctly coloured on the inner surface, but apparent though

less distinct on the back or exterior surface; _lip_ large, fully two

inches long, flat, panduriform, three-lobed, the lateral lobes pale

rose marked with transverse veins, small and not enclosing the column,

the front lobe one and a half inch across, broadly kidney-shaped,

emarginate, of a bright magenta colour, the disk marked by a yellow

line. _Column_ dark magenta, parallel with the lip, obovate, with two

wing-like margins.

Cattleya Aclandiæ, _Lindley_, _Botanical Register_, 1840, t. 48;

_Paxton's Magazine of Botany_ ix, 1; _Flore des Serres_, t. 674;

_Illustration Horticole_, t. 565; _Hooker_, _Botanical Magazine_, t.

5039; _Bateman_, _Second Century of Orchidaceous Plants_, t. 119;

_Williams_, _Orchid Grower's Manual_, 5 ed., 114.

The _Cattleya Aclandiæ_ though a small-growing epiphyte, is one of the

most beautiful of the Cattleyas, notwithstanding that there are several

others which are of dwarf habit and produce richly coloured flowers. The

specimen we now figure is growing in the fine collection of Baron J. H.

Schröder, The Dell, Staines, to whom we are indebted for the opportunity

of having our drawing made. It is a highly-coloured and finely marked

form, quite as good as any we remember to have seen. This species does

not, however, vary so much as many other kinds.

_Cattleya Aclandiæ_ is an evergreen species of dwarf stature, growing

about six inches in height, and blooming at different times of the year,

previous to the completion of its new growths. It generally produces two

or three flowers on a spike; the sepals and petals are greenish yellow,

heavily blotched with chocolate-purple, while the lip is a bright

magenta, distinctly veined, which gives it an unique appearance. When

vigorous the plants frequently make a second growth, which also produces

flowers, these lasting in perfection for several weeks.

We have found these plants do best grown in pans or baskets, in a

compost of good fibrous peat and lumpy charcoal, and good drainage must

be provided to ensure success. We have also seen them well cultivated on

blocks of wood, but as they then require more attention as regards

watering than when in pans or baskets, we prefer them grown in the

latter way. An abundance of moisture should be provided for them during

the growing season, when the plants will be throwing out their new

roots. At this period close attention should be given in order to

prevent the injuries that may occur from the attacks of insects on the

young and tender roots, since these are frequently produced above the

soil; even if the plants recover from such a check they are apt to get

into a sickly condition, or to shrivel and dwindle away. _Cattleya

Aclandiæ_ is not one of the easiest of Orchids to cultivate, and for

this reason it requires extra attention to keep it in good condition. We

have, however, seen many fine plants of this beautiful species where it

has had the treatment suitable to it. We have found the Cattleya house

to afford the best temperature in which to grow it. A position as near

the glass as possible, with not too much shade, will be found to suit it

best; though care should always be taken to prevent the burning sun from

injuring the leaves, and to keep the bulbs in a plump state, for, if

allowed to shrivel or get into bad condition, the plants might as well

be thrown away, since they seldom recover. During the resting season,

therefore, sufficient water should be given to keep the bulbs from

shrinking.

Always bear in mind that cleanliness is one of the great secrets of

successful Orchid-growing, and that this little gem, if allowed to

become the prey of insects or to get dirty, will invariably fall into a

bad state of health from which it will rarely emerge. These pests may be

kept under if taken in time. Both thrips and scale will sometimes attack

the young growth, but they should be thoroughly routed out and

destroyed.

Oncidium Phalænopsis.--This lovely Orchid comes to us from E. Salt,

Esq., of Ferniehurst, Shipley, near Leeds. It is now extremely rare, and

is seldom seen in collections. Mr. Salt informs us that this same plant,

last year, before it was divided, produced one spike with six flowers.

It is a glorious Orchid, allied to _O. nubigenum_ and _O. cucullatum_;

the flowers are, however, much larger than in either of these, and more

beautifully coloured. The sepals and petals are cream coloured, barred,

and spotted with purple; the lip is large, reniform, creamy white,

spotted about the base with violet-crimson, the crest being golden

yellow, and forming a striking contrast with the violet spotting which

surrounds it. The species is a native of Peru.--B. S. W.

[Illustration: PL. 70.

CYPRIPEDIUM FAIRRIEANUM.]

CYPRIPEDIUM FAIRRIEANUM.

[Plate 70.]

_Native of Assam._

Epiphytal, Acaulescent. _Leaves_ green, radical, leathery in texture,

distichous, loriform, obliquely apiculate, the base carinate and

equitant. _Scapes_ solitary in the axils, longer than the leaves,

green, pilose, terminating in a short sheathing woolly bract from

which the blossom emerges. _Flowers_ medium-sized, elegantly venose;

_dorsal sepal_ large, oblong-cordiform, ciliated, concave, the apex

recurved, blunt, greenish white flushed with carmine and beautifully

veined with bright crimson-purple; _lateral connate sepals_ united

into one small ovate obtuse sepal, which is whitish with streaks of

green and crimson-purple; _petals_ oblong-lanceolate, deflexed and

recurved "like the horn of a buffalo", hairy at the base, white

flushed with green, and having longitudinal stripes and a marginal

band of crimson-purple, the edge being undulated and ciliated; _lip_

prominent, brownish-green with faint purple reticulations. _Staminode_

orbicular-lunate, greenish white tinted with purple, downy, with a

downy proboscis between the horns of the crescent.

Cypripedium Fairrieanum, _Lindley_, _Gardeners' Chronicle_, 1857, 740;

_Hooker_, _Botanical Magazine_, t. 5024; _Van Houtte_, _Flore des

Serres_, t. 1244; _Bateman_, _Second Century of Orchidaceous plants_,

t. 140; _Reichenbach fil._, _Xenia Orchidacea_, t. 133; _Williams_,

_Orchid Grower's Manual_, 5 ed. 153.

The Cypripediums form a very large genus of Orchids, which is also one

of the most useful for decorating our Orchid-houses or plant stoves, as

well as for exhibition purposes. Nearly all the species continue long in

flower and are of easy cultivation. The plant before us was first

flowered by A. Fairrie, Esq., of Aigburth, Liverpool, in 1857, and was

exhibited in London by him and named by Dr. Lindley in his honour. Since

that time it has become exceedingly rare, and is now to be met with in

but very few collections. As far as we are aware it has only been once

imported, a circumstance much to be regretted, as it is one of the most

distinct and lovely of the whole family. Our drawing was made by M. P.

Stroobant from a well-grown plant in the fine collection of Dr.

Baddaert, of Ghent, Belgium, who has one of the best collections of

Orchids in that country.

_Cypripedium Fairrieanum_ is an evergreen dwarf-growing species, with

light green leaves about three inches long. The flowers are produced

singly on upright stalks. It blooms during the autumn months and

continues in perfection for some considerable time.

This _Cypripedium_ is not so free in its growth as many others, although

we have seen it very fine in years gone by, and we are of opinion that

if imported plants could only be obtained, cultivators would be able to

succeed with it as well as with any other. There is no doubt that on

account of the plant being so rare, those who fortunately possess it are

too anxious to increase it, and too frequently cut the plants into small

pieces, which get into a bad condition and ultimately die. We have found

the East India house to afford the best temperature in which to

cultivate it, though we have grown it equally well at the warmest end of

a Cattleya house. The material used was fibrous peat and charcoal. The

pots should be filled three parts full of broken potsherds, a layer of

sphagnum moss being placed on the top of the drainage material; and in

potting the plant requires to be kept well elevated above the rim of the

pot, so that the roots may not become sodden. Not having the thick

fleshy pseudobulbs which some Orchids possess to support them, these

plants require more attention as regards the application of moisture to

the roots. Water should be given judiciously even when the plants are in

vigorous growth, as, if too much is applied, the potting material

becomes soddened and the plants get sickly. This species does not root

so freely as many of the stronger growing Lady's Slippers and should be

grown in a position where plenty of light is obtainable.

Cattleya aurea.--R. P. Percival, Esq., of Southport, has kindly sent us

a glorious inflorescence of this splendid novelty, with four fully

expanded flowers. This species resembles _C. gigas_ in its growth, while

the flowers are somewhat akin to those of _C. Dowiana_, but the markings

on the lip are much brighter, and the golden yellow is much more

prevalent than in _C. Dowiana_; the front part of the lip is bright

magenta, while the sepals and petals are not partly rose coloured as in

_C. Dowiana_, but are entirely nankin-yellow. Baron Schröder, of

Staines, has also sent us a spike of this great beauty, but the variety

differs a little from the preceding.--H. W.

Cypripedium Parishii.--A. Paul, Esq., of Edinburgh, sends us a fine

spike of this curious Orchid, bearing six flowers. He informs us that

the plant produced four spikes of six blooms each. When flowered in this

way, it makes a fine object during the dull time of the year. It

requires the same treatment as other Cypripediums, and delights in a

good supply of moisture during the growing season.--B. S. W.

[Illustration: PL. 71.

ODONTOGLOSSUM MADRENSE.]

ODONTOGLOSSUM MADRENSE.

[Plate 71.]

_Native of the Sierra Madre of Mexico._

Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ ligulate or narrowly-oblong, ancipital, three

inches or more in length, pale green. _Leaves_ lorate or

linear-lanceolate acute, nervose, keeled, usually two but sometimes

one only from the apex of each pseudobulb, sometimes with a leaf

sheathing the base. _Scapes_ lateral, twelve to eighteen inches long,

bearing an inclined raceme of from six to eight flowers from the axils

of brown membranaceous triangular acuminate bracts. _Flowers_

fragrant, white blotched with reddish purple, three and a half to four

inches in their vertical diameter, and somewhat less transversely;

_sepals_ lanceolate, acuminate, keeled behind, about two inches long,

white, with on oblong bilobed reddish purple blotch at the base;

_petals_ broader, oblong, apiculate, white, with a bilobed purple

blotch twice as long as that of the sepals and more distinctly

separate; _lip_ smaller than the sepals and petals, recurved, with a

short hollow claw, which bears two small retrorse lateral lobes,

having between them and in front two collateral pairs of retuse

bipapulose calli; the front lobe triangular or trowel-shaped,

cuspidate, with crispy margins, white with the disk and calli

orange-yellow. _Column_ short, greenish, wingless, hairy at the base.

Odontoglossum madrense, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners' Chronicle_,

N.S., ii. 804; viii, 102.

Odontoglossum maxillare, _Hooker fil._, _Botanical Magazine_, t.

6144--fide Reichenbach; not of _Lindley_.

Our present subject, _Odontoglossum madrense_, is not only pretty but

distinct, and very different in its growth, as well as in its flowers,

from most of the Odontoglots, as will be seen by the accompanying

figure, taken from the best grown specimen of the kind we have yet met

with, which is in the select collection belonging to R. Vanner, Esq., of

Camden Wood, Chislehurst, who certainly succeeds admirably in the

cultivation of this plant. The subject from which our illustration was

prepared, has flowered for two years in succession in the same grand

way, and we have no doubt that as the plant gets more fully established

it will produce more and more flowers on the spike. It is a very

free-growing plant, but we find that it does best in a warmer

temperature than that in which most Odontoglots thrive. The temperature

of the Cattleya house seems to suit it best, and it should be suspended

from the roof, and grown in a shallow pan in a compost of peat and

sphagnum moss. It requires a liberal supply of water during the growing

season, and should not be kept too dry when at rest, sufficient water

being given to keep the soil moist, and the bulbs plump. We have also

grown this plant successfully in the warm end of the Odontoglossum

house.

_Odontoglossum madrense_ is an evergreen plant, with upright pseudobulbs

of a light green colour. The leaves are about six inches long. The

flowers are produced on upright spikes which are produced from the sides

of the bulbs after the plant has completed its growth; the sepals and

petals are white with a large purplish brown blotch at the base of each;

the lip is orange at the base, white in front. The plant blooms during

the autumn months, and lasts for several weeks in perfection.

This is a plant that every Orchid-grower should possess, as it can be

bought at a reasonable price, and does not take up much room.

Propagation is effected by division, leaving two or three bulbs with the

leading growth to each divided piece. We find the best time to perform

this operation is just as the plant begins to start into growth. After

division the young plants should be potted and kept in a shady place

until they begin to grow, when more light should be given to them.

Mr. Lee's Orchids.--The collection of Orchids at Downside, Leatherhead,

is fast becoming the most important in this country. East India Orchids

are special favourites with Mr. Lee, and this section of the family is

well represented. In the Phalænopsis house are to be found several grand

plants; we particularly noticed some well-grown specimens of

_Phalænopsis Schilleriana_; one plant of _P. amabilis_ was the largest

we have ever seen in cultivation, having many growths, and showing

several flower spikes; _P. Stuartiana_ was well represented, and seems

quite at home here; _P. intermedia_, with its varieties _Portei_ and

_Brymeriana_ were also in good form; as well as _P. violacea_, which was

in flower. Mr. Lee is not content with having a few plants of this

lovely class of Orchids, but possesses them by the hundred, so fond is

he of them. The Vanda house also contains some marvellous examples of

cultivation, _Vanda tricolor Warneri_ being well in bloom, also other

varieties of the same species, together with _V. lamellata Boxallii_,

&c. In the same house were some well grown plants of _Cattleya

Walkeriana_, in flower, suspended from the roof. Amongst the Cattleyas

was a fine variety of _Cattleya labiata_ in flower, the picture of

health. The different kinds of _Aërides_ and _Saccolabium_ were looking

equally well. In the Lycaste house, _Lycaste Skinneri amabile_, and _L.

Skinneri alba_ were in flower, also a fine lot of _Cattleya marginata_,

and of _Lælia præstans_, and _L. Dayana_; indeed we had never before

seen such a grand display of those little gems. In the cool houses the

different sorts of _Odontoglossum_ and _Masdevallia_ were represented by

some magnificent plants, some of which were in flower. Mr. Lee is still

building Orchid houses with a view to giving his plants more room. One

house in particular took our fancy, but of this we hope to furnish some

particulars at another time.--H. W.

[Illustration: PL. 72.

MILTONIA REGNELLI PURPUREA.]

MILTONIA REGNELLI PURPUREA.

[Plate 72.]

_Native of Brazil._

Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ ovate, obtuse, compressed, diphyllous.

_Leaves_ lorate, acute, narrowed to the base, pale green, about a foot

long. _Scapes_ bearing three or four large showy flowers, each with a

small bract at the base of its pedicel. _Flowers_ showy, larger than

in the type, being nearly three inches across; _sepals_ lanceolate,

about an inch and one-fourth in length, of a delicate shade of rosy

pink, paler almost white at the edges, and with a darker median line;

_petals_ oblong, somewhat broader than the sepals and similar in

colour; _lip_ flat, subpandurate, broad, one and a half inch across,

emarginate at the apex, cuneate at the base, of an intense

magenta-crimson, marked with indistinct reticulations of deeper

crimson; the disk white, and furnished with three small elevated

crests, of which the middle one is shorter. _Column_ deep crimson at

the base, whitish at the apex.

Miltonia Regnelli purpurea, _Hort. Veitch_; _Williams_, _Orchid

Grower's Manual_, 4 ed., 209; 5 ed., 224; _Floral Magazine_, t. 490.

The Miltonias form a small genus allied to _Odontoglossum_ and

containing some beautiful species and varieties, most of which have been

inmates of our stoves and Orchid houses for many years. We remember some

of them as long as we have had the management of Orchids, which is now

for forty years, but even before that time there were large specimens

cultivated in some old-established gardens, such as those at Bothwell

Castle, where may now be found many fine plants of _M. spectabilis_ and

its variety, _Moreliana_, which have been grown by Mr. Turnbull, the

gardener, for more than forty years. _M. Clowesii_ and _M. candida_ have

been in cultivation for quite as long a period. We mention these facts

to show to the present generation of Orchid-growers that they should not

complain as they are apt to do, that these plants are difficult to

cultivate. This is not the case, in witness whereof these grand old

plants, which have been grown, as above stated, for so many years,

without much care having been bestowed upon them, may be cited. In the

collection above referred to, for example, they do not profess to

cultivate Orchids specially, but grow them in the ordinary plant stoves.

Surely the cultivators of the present day should have no difficulty in

attaining the same degree of success. We have seen _M. spectabilis_ as

much as three feet across, one mass of bloom, a sight never to be

forgotten. We do hope that Miltonias will be more grown than they are at

present, as they come into flower at a time when comparatively few

Orchids are in bloom, and keep on flowering during the autumn months.

They will be found useful for cutting purposes, as well as for our

autumn exhibitions. What, for example, could be more lovely than the

plant of _M. spectabilis_, shown by A. Paul, Esq., at the Edinburgh

Exhibition, in September of the present year?

The variety we now illustrate is a most beautiful one, and differs

considerably from the type. We are indebted to the kindness of Mr. B.

Findlay, of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Manchester, for the opportunity

of figuring this gem, which was imported by him. Mr. Findley is a great

lover of Orchids, and has a nicely grown collection of them, amongst

which flowering specimens may be seen at all times of the year. This,

_Miltonia Regnelli purpurea_, is much richer in its colouring than the

original species. It is evergreen, with light green pseudobulbs and

foliage, which, together, reach to about ten inches or a foot in height.

It produces its flower spikes from the sides of the pseudobulbs after

they have completed their growth, which is during August or September.

The sepals and petals are delicate rose colour, margined with white; the

lip intense crimson-purple, with white crests.

This plant, we repeat, is of easy cultivation and blooms very freely,

when grown in a mixture of rough fibrous peat and sphagnum moss, with

good drainage. Our experience points to the coolest end of the East

India house as the best position in which to grow it; but we have also

found it to do well in the Cattleya house. It is necessary to bear in

mind that the plant must be shaded from the burning sun, for it has thin

leaves which are easily affected by the sun's rays; all the light

possible should however be given. It will do well either in a pot or

basket, and should not receive too much moisture at the roots, as

Miltonias frequently suffer if too much water is given them. The soil

must be kept freely moistened during the growing season, the supply of

water being decreased when the season of rest approaches.

Odontoglossum grande.--C. Walker, Esq., Brettargh Holt, Westmoreland,

sends us a grand spike of a fine variety of this, the king of

Odontoglots. The spike bore six of its enormous flowers, and was much

the finest we remember to have seen. Our artist has made a sketch of

this spike, and we hope to publish it at some future time--H. W.

[Illustration: PL. 73.

VANDA HOOKERIANA.]

VANDA HOOKERIANA.

[Plate 73.]

_Native of Borneo._

Epiphytal. _Stems_ elongate, rigid, terete, pale green, producing

aërial roots from the joints, resembling in habit and character those

of its near ally, _Vanda teres_. _Leaves_ erect, terete, tapered to a

subulate mucronate point, channelled on the upper side, two and a half

to three inches long, of a pale green colour. _Peduncles_ from near

the top of the stem, opposite, and longer than the leaves, erect,

bearing a two to five-flowered raceme (two-flowered in the examples

bloomed in this country). _Flowers_ large, two and a half inches in

diameter, and extremely beautiful, white, heavily striped and venosely

dotted with deep rich magenta; _dorsal sepal_ obovate, cuneate, wavy,

projected forwards, white, tinted with rose; the _lateral sepals_

similar in form, but larger, apiculate, white; _petals_ spathulate

oblong, obtuse, undulately-crisped, standing right and left above the

column and lip, white, spotted with magenta; _lip_ with a pair of

large triangular entire auricles standing erect, one on each side the

column, of a deep purple colour, mottled with a paler hue, the front

portion expanding from a cuneate base into a very broad transverse

trifid limb, two inches broad, which is concave, the lower edge being

projected forwards, the lateral lobes oblong obtuse, the central one

shorter, bluntly ovate, crenate, undulate, white, the disk marked

longitudinally with bold rich magenta-purple lines, from which diverge

in the direction of the lateral lobes several parallel stripes of a

similar colour, the front part of these lobes, as well as the front

lobe itself, marked with dots of rich magenta-purple ranged in lines.

_Spur_ small, acute, with two blunt calli in front of its mouth.

_Column_ hairy below, white, tipped with purple.

Vanda Hookeriana, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Bonplandia_, iv., 324; _Id._

_Gardeners' Chronicle_, N.S., xviii., 488. _Moore_, _Florist and

Pomologist_, 1882, 155.

This lovely plant, which was unanimously awarded a First Class

Certificate by the Floral Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society,

when shown for the first time in this country in September last, appears

to have been originally discovered by Lobb, at Labuan, being represented

by No. 347 of his Collection; and from Lobb's specimen in the Hookerian

Herbarium, it was named by Professor Reichenbach, in compliment to Sir

William Jackson Hooker, and published amongst other Orchid notes and

descriptions in the volume of the _Bonplandia_ issued in 1856; so that,

despite some well-merited laudatory remarks, such as "_planta

admirabilis inexspectatissima_," and "_plantam insignem spectabilem_,"

it has been long in finding its way to our Orchid collections, which it

appears to have done in the summer of 1873, according to Reichenbach,

who adds, "I believe all went direct to Sir N. de Rothschild, Bart., and

the plants one afterwards saw at other places were all presents from

Tring Park. Now, after nearly ten years, Mr. Hill, Sir N. de

Rothschild's orchid grower, has succeeded in flowering the plant." It

was also flowered about the same time by Mr. Ebbage, gardener to J. S.

Bockett, Esq., Stamford Hill, from whose plant our plate was prepared.

Our impression is, though we have not had an opportunity of making the

comparison, that Sir N. de Rothschild's flowers were appreciably larger

than those here delineated.

_Vanda Hookeriana_ is a very distinct looking plant, It has terete

foliage, resembling that of a slender form of the _Vanda teres_, but

having the tips of the leaves more acute. The flowers are produced on

short spikes, which are thrown out from the stem. As far as we have

seen, only two flowers have been produced on a single spike, but since

as many as five flowers have been counted on the imported spikes, we

have no doubt that with judicious attention and cultivation it may

produce more. The fact that it does so in the wild state speaks well for

its free-flowering qualities. The flowers of this species are white,

richly spotted with rosy purple, and the lip is longitudinally and

transversely marked with lines of the same colour.

_Vanda Hookeriana_ is a slender tall-growing plant, requiring an

abundant supply of moisture during the growing season, after which it

should be gradually dried off to predispose it to flower. A raft or

block of wood will be found the best contrivance to grow it upon; this

can either he plunged in a pot or hung up to the roof of the house, in a

position where the plant may obtain plenty of sunlight and air. A little

sphagnum moss about the roots will be found beneficial, since it will

aid in keeping the young succulent points moist. While growing it should

be placed in the East India house, and plenty of water should be given

it. After flowering, a slight rest should be allowed, and after that

water may again be given as soon as it shows signs of starting into

growth.

This plant is subject to the attacks of scale and thrips, which should

be disposed of by sponging and fumigation. Propagation is effected by

cutting down the plants, care being taken to see that the shoots are

furnished with roots. These cut portions should be put in pots, or

placed on blocks or rafts, and kept in a shady position until

established. After this operation has been performed, the old stem will

throw out side shoots, which can again be detached when rooted should

more stock be required.

[Illustration: PL. 74.

EPIDENDRUM WALLISII.]

EPIDENDRUM WALLISII.

[Plate 74.]

_Native of New Grenada._

Epiphytal. _Stems_ erect, three to four feet high, reed-like, as thick

as a raven's quill, leafy throughout, the sheaths, which nearly cover

the spaces between the leaves, rugose and spotted with

brownish-purple. _Leaves_ distichous, oblong-lanceolate, acute, about

five inches long, and an inch or rather more in breadth.

_Inflorescence_ racemose, the racemes many-flowered, with sheathing

scales at the base, and furnished above with triangular-ovate bracts

much shorter than the pedicels; the racemes are both terminal and

lateral on the stems, the lateral ones being placed opposite the

leaves. _Flowers_ numerous and showy, fully an inch and a half across,

picturesquely coloured, fragrant, with a pleasant smell of honey and

musk; _sepals_ and _petals_ ligulate-oblong, acute, deep golden

yellow, marked with rather small distant deep carmine-crimson spots;

_lip_ cuneately-flabellate, an inch broad, quadrifid, with a broad

sinus in front, and smaller lateral ones, white, radiately pencilled

with feathery lines of magenta-purple, which are minutely

tuberculated, the disk yellow, bearing three or five short crests.

_Column_ adnate, the anther-bed with a quadrifid limb.

Epidendrum Wallisii, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners' Chronicle_,

N.S., iv., 66; ix., 462.

We have here one of the comparatively few ornamental species of

_Epidendrum_, but this, as has been truly remarked, is a real

beauty--interesting, moreover, as representing a peculiar type of the

genus, that has no pseudobulbs, but tall distichously-leafy stems, that

bear both lateral and terminal racemes of flowers at the same time and

on the same stems. _E. Wallisii_ appears to vary somewhat in its

flowers; one of those bloomed by the Messrs. Veitch and Sons being

recorded as producing flowers with unspotted yellow sepals and petals,

and a lip with three orange-coloured keels, and dark purple veins with

small spots and lines on a white ground.

This wonderful plant, which was first described in 1875 by Professor

Reichenbach, is peculiar in having its racemes of flowers both terminal

and lateral, on which account it will at once be seen it is of a very

floriferous habit. Our plate was prepared from a plant in the grand

collection belonging to Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., M.P., Burford Lodge,

Dorking, where, under the care of Mr. Spyers, it seems to have grown

remarkably well. We were, indeed, much surprised to find that it has

attained to such large dimensions. The first plants that flowered in

this country grew not more than from fifteen to eighteen inches high;

and, according to Mr. Wallis's dried specimens, the plant in its native

habitat is even dwarfer. Now we have the plant, in the case of Sir

Trevor Lawrence's specimen, attaining several feet in height, and

producing an immense quantity of flowers, thus showing how Orchids may

be improved by good cultivation. The flowers of this plant are generally

produced in October and November, and they last in perfection for a

considerable time.

_Epidendrum Wallisii_ should be grown in the Cattleya house, and does

best in a pot. We have found a mixture of peat and sphagnum to be the

most fitting compost in which to pot it. The plant should be elevated

well above the rim of the pot, and have a good supply of drainage. It

delights in a liberal supply of water during the growing season; and

when at rest should receive a less quantity, only just enough to keep

the bulbs from shrivelling.

Vandas Flowering in a Small State.--It is generally thought that these

Orchids only flower when they have attained considerable size, but such

is not the case. At the present time may be seen in the Victoria

Nurseries plants of _Vanda tricolor_ and its varieties, as also of _V.

suavis_, in bloom, though only from fifteen to twenty-four inches high,

having in some instances two spikes each. These are not cut-down plants,

but young offshoots that have been taken from the bases of the old

stools, and grown singly in pots. The secret of this is, that the growth

is well matured, in consequence of too high a temperature not being

maintained during the growing season, but plenty of light and air given

to the plants. These are conditions which Vandas delight in, as is

proved by the results.--B. S. W.

[Illustration: PL. 75.

LÆLIA ANCEPS.]

LÆLIA ANCEPS.

[Plate 75.]

_Native of Mexico._

Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ narrowly ovate-oblong, compressed and

two-edged, with prominent angles on the flattened sides, thus

tetragonal, four to six inches long, clothed while young with large

membranous scales. _Leaves_ oblong-lanceolate, bluntish, two, or more

rarely one, from each pseudobulb, five to eight inches long, leathery

in texture, dark green. _Scape_ terminal on the pseudobulbs, erect,

often two feet long, terminating in a spike of three to five flowers,

jointed, clothed with carinate bracts, and two-edged or ancipital,

whence the name. _Flowers_ very large and attractive; _sepals_

lanceolate, acuminate, about three inches long, spreading, of a

charming delicate pinkish-rose; _petals_ ovate-acuminate, of the same

colour as the sepals; _lip_ three-lobed, the lateral lobes inflected

over the column, purplish-rose, paler on the lower side, yellow, and

striped with purple inside, the reflexed front edge deep

magenta-purple; middle lobe oblong-acute, recurved, rich deep velvety

magenta-purple, white towards the base, the disk within the base

yellow, traversed longitudinally by an elevated thickened ridge, which

terminates in front in three crests. _Column_ semi-cylindrical,

wingless.

Lælia anceps, _Lindley_, _Botanical Register_, t. 1751; _Hooker_,

_Botanical Magazine_, t. 3804; _Paxton_, _Magazine of Botany_, iv.,

73; _Williams_, _Orchid Grower's Manual_, 5 ed., 202.

Bletia anceps, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Walpers' Annales Botanices

Systematicæ_, vi., 418.

In the subject of our present plate we have one of the oldest

inhabitants of our Orchid houses. It was introduced as far back as the

year 1833, and is one of the most beautiful of the numerous Mexican

_Orchideæ_. As a winter-flowering Orchid it stands unrivalled, coming as

it does into flower in mid-winter, and retaining its beauty for a long

period. It should be grown in quantity by every one on this account, for

a more useful decorative plant it would be difficult to discover.

There are several varieties of this handsome species, which are very

distinct from the type. Notably there is _Lælia anceps Dawsoni_, a white

form, which was figured in this work at Plate 44. Then there are _L.

anceps alba_, _L. anceps Hillii_, _L. anceps Barkerii_, and _L. anceps

rosea_, a pretty rose-coloured form, differing considerably from the

type. Our plate was prepared from a plant in the collection of D. B.

Crawshay, Esq., Rosefield, Sevenoaks, who was kind enough to allow our

artist to make a sketch of the plant.

_Lælia anceps_ is a dwarf-growing evergreen species, having oblong-ovate

bulbs, from four to six inches in length, furnished with

oblong-lanceolate leaves, which are produced from the apex of the bulb.

The flower-spikes are erect, produced just as the young growth is

completing itself. The sepals and petals are rosy lilac, the throat

yellow, with dark purple markings, and the lip rich magenta.

This plant should be grown in the coolest end of the Cattleya house, in

a position where it may obtain a plentiful supply of the sun's rays, and

a liberal supply of air. If the cultivator could have partitioned off

from the cool house a small division in which to grow the sun-loving

Mexican Orchids, it would be advisable, as there are several kinds which

delight in the same treatment as this gem, viz., _Lælia autumnalis_, _L.

majalis_, _Odontoglossum citrosmum_, _Oncidium Barkerii_, _O. tigrinum_,

and many others we could mention; in fact, the reason we so seldom see

these plants grown as they should be, is that enough sun and air are not

given to them.

_Lælia anceps_ delights in a copious supply of moisture when growing,

and like other Orchids when at rest requires only just sufficient to

prevent the bulbs from shrivelling. It should be grown in a pot or

basket suspended from the roof, in a good airy position; the compost

best suited to it is good fibrous peat, with the addition of a little

moss. The plant is increased by division just as it starts into growth.

Cattleya labiata.--H. Gaskell, Esq., of Woolton Wood, Woolton,

Liverpool, has been kind enough to send us one of the finest

inflorescences of this old favourite we have ever seen. The spike

carries five large flowers, the sepals and petals are magenta-rose

colour, the lip rich crimson. This is one of the most useful Orchids for

autumn-flowering, and we regret to find it has become extremely

rare.--B. S. W.

[Illustration: PL. 76.

MASDEVALLIA DAVISII.]

MASDEVALLIA DAVISII.

[Plate 76.]

_Native of Peru._

Epiphytal. _Stems_ slender, densely cæspitose. _Leaves_ erect, dark

green, leathery in texture, evergreen, six to eight inches long,

narrowly ligulate-oblong, acute, carinate, narrowed downwards into the

shortish petiole, which is invested at the base by a pale green

sheath, an inch long, and having a shorter one at its base. _Scapes_

slender, longer than the leaves, sheathed at the base, and furnished

also with a sheathing oblong bract about their centre, and another

just below the flower. _Flowers_ nearly horizontal, golden yellow;

_sepals_ united into a sub-cylindraceous tube, half an inch long,

gibbous at the base, the dorsal one ovately-triangular, passing into

the filiform apex, which is three-fourths of an inch long, the lateral

ones broader and longer, connate to beyond the middle,

semi-oblong-ovate, broadest at the base, and suddenly acuminate near

the apex, the opening having a narrow sinus; _petals_ small,

dimidiate-oblong; _lip_ shorter than the petals, clawed, its limb

linear-oblong, obtuse, deep crimson, sunk in the base of the sepaline

tube, and there appearing like a small red eye at the bottom. _Column_

wingless, toothed at the apex.

Masdevallia Davisii, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners' Chronicle_,

N.S., ii., 710; _Id._ _Xenia Orchidaceæ_, iii., t. 3; _Hooker fil._,

_Botanical Magazine_, t. 6190.

New Masdevallias are being introduced to cultivation every year, but it

is seldom that we get such a distinct and beautiful species as the

subject of our plate, brought under our notice. This little gem is

distinct from the other members of this ever-increasing genus both in

regard to form and colour, and should be sought for and added to every

collection where Masdevallias are grown. Our figure was taken from a

plant belonging to W. Lee, Esq., Downside, Leatherhead, in whose

collection these singular plants are well cared for, and at the time of

our visit were looking remarkably well.

_Masdevallia Davisii_ was discovered in 1874, by Mr. W. Davis, when

travelling in Peru, at a considerable elevation, and was sent home by

him to the Messrs. Veitch and Sons, of Chelsea, who distributed the

plant. The flowers are produced singly on the erect peduncles, which

proceed from the base of the leaf-bulb, and are generally produced in

October and November, lasting several weeks in perfection. The colour is

a bright chrome yellow, which from its distinctness contrasts well with

any other kinds of Masdevallias that may chance to be in flower at the

same time.

_Masdevallia Davisii_ requires the same treatment as that recommended

for _M. Harryana coerulescens_, under Plate 24, and is propagated in the

same way.

The Effect of Fog on Orchids.--It is astonishing to notice the effects

upon Orchids of this the most disagreeable of all natural phenomena. The

most vexing part of the matter is, that as regards the culture of

Orchids we are unable to cope with it. Extremes of heat and cold, high

winds, and hailstorms, heavy falls of snow and rain--all these we are in

a great measure able to prevent from doing any harm to our plants; but

the fog demon, however careful we may be, outdoes us. We may keep our

doors closed, pull down the blinds, shut up the ventilators, but still

he is upon us, entering by the laps of the glass, or through the

crevices of the framework of the house. Nearly all Orchids which happen

to be either in flower or bud at the time a fog comes on, fall a prey to

its destructive powers. We have seen hundreds of buds of _Phalænopsis_,

flowers and buds of _Calanthe_, and the inflorescences of _Cattleyas_,

and other Orchids, turn yellow, and the flowers drop off in a very few

hours. All this is extremely vexing, especially if after having watched

some favourite plant, perhaps for years, just as it is showing flowers

for the first time, we see them thus come to an untimely end. It is

fortunate that some of the Orchid flowers are able to withstand its

effects. Of course, our brother cultivators in the country have not so

much to fear as those have who are located in the immediate

neighbourhood of the metropolis and other large cities, and we are

inclined to envy them their purer surroundings at this trying season of

the year--H. W.

[Illustration: PL. 77.

VANDA TRICOLOR.]

VANDA TRICOLOR.

[Plate 77.]

_Native of Java._

Epiphytal. _Stems_ tall, erect, leafy, producing stout aërial roots.

_Leaves_ distichous, broadly lorate, channelled, longer than the

inflorescence, overlapping at the base, obliquely bilobed and somewhat

erose at the apex. _Racemes_ few-flowered. _Flowers_ handsome,

sweet-scented, roundish in outline, but longer than broad, their depth

being about two and a half inches, beautifully spotted, the pedicels

white, striately furrowed; _sepals_ oblong-obovate obtuse, the edges

rolled back, unguiculate, fully an inch long, coriaceous, pale creamy

yellow, with a narrow marginal band of delicate rosy pink, spotted

throughout, except at the edge, with deep rich brownish-red, white at

the back; _petals_ similar in size, form, and colouring, but with the

pink edge less distinct, and the spots somewhat fewer in number, and

inclined to coalesce into stripes; _lip_ of about equal length,

three-lobed, with a pair of erect rounded colourless lobes, standing

one on each side the short blunt compressed white spur, and a convex

cuneate deeply emarginate middle-lobe, which has three ridges

extending from the disk to the front, two of which run out quite to

the apex, and two white ridges at the mouth of the spur behind the

disk; the colour is a bright rosy magenta, paler at the tip, the disk

marked with about five white lines, of which the three central ones

are longest. _Column_ free, short, thick, white.

Vanda tricolor, _Lindley_, _Botanical Register_, 1847, _in note under_

t. 59; _Id._ _Paxton's Flower Garden_, ii., t. 42; _Id._ _Folia

Orchidacea_, art. _Vanda_, No. 10; _Pescatorea_, t. 42; _Warner_,

_Select Orchidaceous Plants_, ii., 39 (var. Warnerii); _Van Houtte_,

_Flore des Serres_, t. 641; _Lemaire_, _Jardin Fleuriste_, t. 136.

Vanda suaveolens, _Blume_, _Rumphia_, iv., 49.

It is with great pleasure that we here introduce to our readers a genus

of Orchids, which has been grown and exhibited for many years, and of

which we have in former days seen some wonderful examples produced. What

a contrast with those we meet with at the present time, when few really

fine specimens are brought out by exhibitors! What is there more

splendid or majestic than a _Vanda_ when grown into a large specimen?

The Vandas, indeed, possess good qualities that few other Orchids can

boast of, for they are stately in their growth, they have beautiful

evergreen foliage, they are of graceful habit, and their showy flowers

produced in fine spikes on either side of the plant are deliciously

fragrant, and continue in perfection for six weeks or more. Sometimes a

plant that has but one stem will produce three or four spikes of flower,

and bloom twice in a year. We have had plants only twelve inches in

height produce two flower spikes, and have bloomed many in an equally

dwarf state, as we are glad to know that others have also done. We are,

moreover, glad to notice that growers are now more generally successful

in retaining the leaves down to the rim of the pot.

It has been said that Vandas are difficult to flower, but if the proper

treatment is given, there is no difficulty about it. We have been

growing and exhibiting these plants for nearly forty years, and can with

confidence assert that they are the most useful Orchids we have met with

for exhibition and decorative purposes. They are also invaluable for

furnishing cut flowers to be used either in button-hole bouquets, or in

any other convenient manner. The plant now figured, our sketch of which

was taken from a small specimen at the Victoria Nurseries, Upper

Holloway, we consider the true _Vanda tricolor_; and there are besides

other specially fine forms, which in time we hope to illustrate.

_Vanda tricolor_ is an evergreen plant, with gracefully recurved

foliage. It grows to the height of five or six feet, and produces

"breaks" freely from the sides of the stem, generally at the base, so

that in time the plants form large specimens, and when the growths get

strong they all flower. We have seen as many as from ten to fifteen

spikes on the same specimen. The sepals and petals are pale yellow

spotted with reddish brown, and the lip is magenta, striped with white

at the base. The plants bloom at different times of the year, and

continue in perfection for about six weeks, perfuming the atmosphere of

the house in which they are grown. These Vandas are natives of Java, and

are of easy cultivation when they obtain suitable treatment. We have

grown them in the same house for more than twenty years, and have never

found any difficulty with them, but the plants have been constantly

growing, improving, and blooming.

The house in which we grow our Vandas is sixty feet in length, and

eighteen feet in width, with a centre and side tables, covered with

slate, the floors being of cement; three pipes pass round the house, and

these are fitted with about four zinc troughs to hold water during the

summer. The temperature during the resting season should be a minimum of

60°, but a few degrees higher would not do any harm at night; in the

daytime it should range about 65°, unless by sun-heat, under the

influence of which we allow it to get a few degrees higher. We always

give air when the temperature is 65°, but always avoid cold draughts. We

usually moisten our houses twice a day, morning and evening, if the

weather is at all fine and the house dry; but the application of

moisture should depend upon the weather; during the dull months of

autumn and winter a little will suffice, but in summer, of course, a

considerable amount of moisture spread over the tables and paths will be

required. We always avoid throwing water on the pipes to cause steam,

and we seldom syringe the plants unless there are some in a shrivelly

state, in which case they require to be kept in the shade, and should

have a slight syringing morning and evening in summer. The material we

use for potting is good sphagnum moss, and plenty of drainage. They will

also thrive in baskets suspended from the roof.

The great secret of getting the Vandas to bloom freely is to give them

plenty of light and air, and only sufficient shade to keep their leaves

from scorching. We use a very thin shading material made on purpose, and

both ourselves and our friends find it suitable for nearly all kinds of

Orchids.

These plants are subject to the attacks of a small white scale insect,

which, if allowed to get established, is very troublesome, but which can

be easily kept under by sponging. If the plants are in a healthy state

there is not much fear of their going wrong; but if the scale should be

found on them it must be taken in hand in good time. The best plan is to

get a little soft soap and make a lather, and rub this over the leaves,

allowing it to remain until the next day; then to wash it off, when it

will be found that the scales will come off easily. The cultivator

should, in fact, never allow his plants to get infested with the scale.

We do not find that any other insects attack them, excepting the green

fly, which sometimes makes its appearance when they are in flower, and

this may be removed with a fine hair brush. Vandas should never be

smoked, as it causes the lower leaves to drop off, which is a great

disfigurement to the plants.

[Illustration: PL. 78.

ZYGOPETALUM ROSTRATUM.]

ZYGOPETALUM ROSTRATUM.

[Plate 78.]

_Native of Demerara._

Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ oblong-ovate, subcompressed, furrowed,

enveloped at the base by pale brown membranaceous bracts. _Scapes_ on

the young growth, one to two flowered, issuing from the axil of the

bracts which invest the immature pseudobulbs. _Leaves_ lanceolate

acute, plaited, about six inches long. _Flowers_ large, six inches in

depth, the dorsal sepal with the two petals directed backwards, the

lateral sepals standing right and left behind the lip; _sepals_

linear-lanceolate, three inches long, half an inch wide at the base,

tapered to an attenuated point where they are bright green, whitish at

the base, slightly stained along the median part more than halfway up

with dull brownish purple; _petals_ similar in size, form, and

colouring; _lip_ ovate acuminate, recurved, nearly three inches long

and over two inches wide, pure white, yellowish behind the disk, which

is furnished with a small angulate planted frill or ruff, of a pale

lilac purple, and marked with a few (about ten) lines of the same

colour, half an inch long, which radiate from the front part of the

ruff. _Column_ white, arching, semi-cylindrical, with rounded wings

near the apex, where it terminates in a short projecting beak.

Zygopetalum rostratum, _Hooker_, _Botanical Magazine_, t. 2819 (as

Zygopetalon).

Zygosepalon rostratum, _Reichenbach fil._, _Annales Botanices

Systematicæ_, VI., 666.

We are now about to bring under the notice of our readers one of our

oldest Orchids, and, withal, one of the most rare. Its foliage is

pleasing, and its flowers are not only large and showy, but of the most

charming character, as will be seen from the accompanying

representation, for the opportunity of securing which we are indebted to

Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., M.P., in whose well-known superb collection

at Burford Lodge, one is at all times certain to find a grand display of

rare Orchids in bloom such as will well repay a visit. This

_Zygopetalum_ makes a grand specimen for exhibition purposes; we used to

exhibit it many years ago at the Regent's Park and Chiswick Shows, with

twenty or more of its handsome flowers upon the plant, and we may add

that it was greatly admired. It produces flowers from every growth, and

keeps a long time in good condition, so that we could always depend upon

it for the May and June exhibitions.

_Zygopetalum rostratum_ is a compact-growing evergreen plant, with small

pseudobulbs; it attains the height of eight inches, and produces its

flowers with the young shoots sometimes twice and even three times a

year, according as it makes its growth. The sepals and petals are of a

yellowish green; the lip large, two inches across, white, with a pale

purple or lilac ruff, and slightly striped at the base with the same

pale purple colour. The flowers last in perfection for several weeks,

providing they are kept dry.

This plant is best cultivated in pans, as it has a rhizome or creeping

stem that likes to root over the surface of the soil. It is of free

growth when it obtains the requisite treatment. We have found it to

thrive best in the East Indian house, on a side table, as near the light

as possible, but not exposed to the sun, as the leaves are tender and

easily get spotted. When a suitable place is found, let it remain in it.

It requires to be kept constantly moist at the roots, as it is nearly

always growing. We cultivate it in rough fibrous peat, with the addition

of sphagnum moss, and give good drainage. It does not require much

material to grow in, and it will repay all the pains bestowed upon it,

as it produces such a number of flowers.

The plant can be divided when strong and in vigorous growth, as it makes

roots quickly. It must be kept free from insects.

[Illustration: PL. 79.

ODONTOGLOSSUM GRANDE.]

ODONTOGLOSSUM GRANDE.

[Plate 79.]

_Native of Guatemala._

Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ ovate-oblong, compressed, ancipitous, about

three inches high, diphyllous, sheathed with large membranaceous brown

scales at the base. _Leaves_ broadly lanceolate, striated, wavy, dark

green above, dotted beneath with numerous minute dark brown dots.

_Scape_ radical, two to five flowered, furnished at intervals and

beneath each flower with a lanceolate membranaceous bract. _Flowers_

very large and very handsome, seven inches across and nearly eight

inches in depth, yellow, with bright chestnut spots; _sepals_

oblong-lanceolate acute, wavy, four inches long, and about one inch

wide, the lateral ones falcate, bright yellow, transversely blotched

nearly to the tip with irregular mostly transverse blotches of glossy

chestnut red; _petals_ oblong, acute, three and a half inches long, by

about an inch and a half broad, slightly undulated, the upper

two-thirds clear yellow, the base marked with an obcordate spot of

shining chestnut red, an inch and a half deep, and which appears to be

pectinately toothed at the sides; _lip_ smaller, creamy white,

roundish emarginate, unguiculate, auricled at the base, with a row of

small pale red irregularly-shaped blotches round the margin, and a few

concentric bands of the same colour in front of the disk; the claw of

the lip is yellow marked with red blotches, and having a large lobed

tubercle in front. _Column_ semi-cylindrical, downy, with two blunt

wings.

Odontoglossum grande, _Lindley_, _Botanical Register_, 1840, misc.,

94; _Bateman_, _Orchidacæ of Mexico and Guatemala_, t. 24; _Id._

_Monograph of Odontoglossum_, t. 8; _Hooker_, _Botanical Magazine_, t.

3955; _Van Houtte_, _Flore des Serres_, t. 21; _Paxton_, _Magazine of

Botany_, viii, 49; _Jennings_, _Orchids_, t. 13; _Morren_, _Annales de

Gand_, 1845, t. 37; _Regel_, _Gartenflora_, viii, t. 270; _Williams_,

_Orchid Grower's Manual_, 5 ed., 234.

We here present a picture of one of our oldest cultivated Orchids, and

one which, we believe, is a universal favourite, for no person who is

fortunate enough to see this grand old plant in flower, can fail to

admire its beauty. The flowers make their appearance, too, when Orchid

blossoms are scarce, and at our autumn exhibitions it becomes invaluable

on this account. There are but few varieties of this species, but all

are worth growing; and they can be easily grown by everyone who has a

cool greenhouse. The specimens that were exhibited at the Edinburgh Show

in September last made a grand display. Our drawing was prepared from a

truly noble example, grown in the fine collection of C. Walker, Esq.,

Brettargh Holt, Milnthorpe, who has also many other rare and remarkable

specimens of the different classes of Orchids, which Mr. McGregor, the

gardener, has been very successful in cultivating. This interesting

collection was removed a few years ago from Lanark, N.B., to its present

location at Brettargh Holt.

_Odontoglossum grande_ is an evergreen plant, with compressed ovate

pseudobulbs, about three inches in height. The foliage is of a light

green, and the plants produce their flower scapes from the side of the

bulbs when the growth is nearly completed. The flowers are of large

size, and several together in a short erect or spreading spike. The

sepals and petals are of a lemon yellow, barred and spotted with rich

chestnut brown. The plant blooms during August, September, October, and

November, and continues for several weeks in beauty, if the flowers are

kept free from damp.

This species is of easy cultivation. It seems to thrive well in rough

fibrous peat, with good drainage, and elevated above the pot rim. A

moderate supply of water should be given in the growing season, which is

during spring and summer, but in the resting season only just enough

should be given to keep the bulbs in a plump state. The warmest end of

the Odontoglossum house will suit it admirably, and there it should be

placed as near the glass as possible, giving just enough shade to keep

the burning sun from injuring its foliage.

Orchids for the Drawing Room.--We often hear objections made to the

growing of Orchids on account of the great heat which, it is alleged, is

kept up in the houses required for their cultivation, many ladies and

gentlemen not caring to go into these heated structures. There are,

however, many ways in which Orchids may be seen and enjoyed without

entering the houses wherein they are cultivated, one of which we

witnessed a few weeks ago when calling at Bury to see the collection of

O. O. Wrigley, Esq. This gentleman has built a warm conservatory

adjoining his drawing room, and he was kind enough to show us how he

makes use of this to ensure an accessible display when his plants are in

bloom, namely, through a window looking into the conservatory, by which

means the beautiful flowers are brought fully into view. The plants are

plunged in a bed of bright green _Selaginella_, and mixed with choice

ferns, and altogether have a beautiful effect. Sometimes the display is

produced by some one kind of flower, such as the _Gloxinia_; sometimes

by another, as _Odontoglossum Alexandræ_, or _O. Pescatorei_, and other

kinds, their graceful spikes overhanging the ferns and green mossy bed

of _Selaginella_, and thus producing a charming picture. The flowers can

always be removed as soon as they show signs of decadence, and be

replaced by others which are fresh and fair. There are many cool Orchids

that can be treated in this way, and the change increases the interest

of the group, by securing freshness and variety. We think Mr. Wrigley's

idea of introducing his grand blooming Orchids to the notice of his

family and friends without obliging them to go through the heated houses

in order to see them, a very excellent one, especially during winter,

when ladies are often prevented by the damp and foggy atmosphere from

venturing out of doors. The window consists of a large sheet of plate

glass, which effectually prevents any damp from entering the room; and

through this one gets a fine view of the flowery scene. It is to be

regretted that this, or some similar arrangement, is not more frequently

adopted in similar cases, as it may generally be carried out with very

little trouble and expense.--B. S. W.

[Illustration: PL. 80.

PHALÆNOPSIS MARIÆ.]

PHALÆNOPSIS MARIÆ.

[Plate 80.]

_Native of the Eastern Archipelago._

Epiphytal. _Plant_ stemless, with flat aërial clinging roots. _Leaves_

deflexed, distichous, oblong or ligulate, acute, somewhat channelled,

two inches or more in width, stoutish in texture, dark green, glossy,

obscurely striate. _Scape_ radical, bearing a many-flowered drooping

raceme, shorter than the leaves, and proceeding from their axils.

_Flowers_ of medium size, elegantly coloured; _sepals_

narrowly-oblong, bluntish, about an inch long, the lateral ones

slightly falcate, white, with about six bold transverse bars or

blotches of a deep chocolate red, the basal spots magenta-coloured

like the lip; _petals_ shorter, broader and more obovate, marked in a

similar manner, but with fewer blotches, the colour being the same as

in the sepals; _lip_ obovate oblong, apiculate, convex, somewhat

constricted at the sides, of a rich deep magenta-rose, the middle lobe

plane not pilose. _Column_ short, white, without fringes at the apex.