In its native country, Assam, this species is found growing on the

branches and stems of trees. Here, provided it receives proper

treatment, it is a very free-growing Orchid, and is also easy of

increase, as it often produces two growths from one bulb. It will thrive

either in a basket or in a pot, but, when in bloom, it should be

suspended from the roof in order that it may be seen to the best

advantage, to accomplish which, if it be grown in a pot, some wire may

be fixed around the rim by which to hook it up. When growing it may

occupy any part of the Cattleya house, but it should be placed so that

it can obtain plenty of light. When hung up near the glass it must be

shaded from the burning sun. With us it thrives well in good fibrous

peat, and we have found it to be a free-rooting plant, requiring to be

kept moist during the growing season; indeed, we never allow the plants

to become too dry, but just supply them with sufficient moisture to

prevent them from shrivelling. Every effort must be made to keep the

foliage clean, and free from insects, in respect to which the cultivator

should adopt and act up to the golden maxim—“Prevention is better than

cure.”

Cymbidium eburneum.—In our remarks on this plant, under Plate 25, we

have inadvertently referred to it as producing but one flower on a

scape. This, however, is not quite correct; as, although the scapes each

usually bear but a solitary blossom, we have known them to produce two,

or sometimes even three flowers.—B. S. W.

[Illustration: PL. 30.

LÆLIA ELEGANS ALBA.]

LÆLIA ELEGANS ALBA.

[Plate 30.]

Native of Brazil.

Epiphytal. _Stems_ terete, somewhat club-shaped, about eighteen inches

in height, the weaker ones bearing one, the stronger two, leaves at

the apex. _Leaves_ solitary or in pairs, ligulate-oblong, from six

inches to a foot in length, very thick and leathery in texture, of a

bright green colour. _Scape_ two to three-flowered, issuing from a

terminal oblong compressed bract, about three inches in length.

_Flowers_ white and crimson-purple, large and very handsome, about six

inches in expansion; _sepals_ oblong lanceolate, acute, plane, pure

white; _petals_ rather shorter than the sepals, broadly-lanceolate,

undulated at the margins, pure white; _lip_ three inches long,

three-lobed, the lateral lobes rolled over the column, the front

portion spreading, undulated, and marked within the edge with a blotch

of crimson-purple, the middle lobe roundish, flabellately expanded,

crispato-undulate, of a rich crimson-purple, the colour breaking out

near the tip into crimson veins on a purplish ground, and extended

into a claw-like base through the pale yellowish disk. _Column_ about

as long as the convolute base of the lip, enclosed.

Lælia elegans var. alba, _Williams_, _Catalogue_ 1881, 68.

We have here one of the most beautiful of this charming class of

Orchids, and one which no Orchid fancier can fail to admire. The showy

blossoms of the forms of this species offer many shades of colour, those

of the variety before us being exceedingly chaste and delicate. The

accompanying figure is a good representation of this charming variety,

and was prepared from a sketch of a well-grown specimen which bloomed in

the fine collection of W. Lee, Esq., Downside, Leatherhead, under the

care of Mr. Woolford, the gardener.

This Lælia grows about eighteen inches high; it is furnished with bold

thick foliage of a pleasant green, and produces its blossoms in June and

July, continuing for about three weeks in beauty. The sepals and petals

are of a pure white, while the lip is of a rich magenta-crimson, the two

colours making a well-marked and charming contrast. This delicately

beautiful variety is extremely rare.

_Lælia elegans alba_ is like the Cattleyas in its growth, with the

exception of the stems being more slender, most of them producing two

short leaves about six inches in length. The plants require the same

temperature and the same material in which to grow as the allied

Cattleyas, and also about the same amount of water during the growing

season. The rest required is also the same as for Cattleyas. There are

some of the species, such as _L. albida_, _autumnalis_, _majalis_,

_pumila_, and others, which will thrive better in a cooler temperature.

They are all subject to insects, which should be diligently looked

after. White scale is sometimes troublesome, and if allowed to remain on

them will disfigure the foliage by causing yellow spots. Thrips will

also attack them, and increase very fast if they are not kept under by

adopting the usual remedies.

Shading Orchids.—This is a subject of the greatest importance in Orchid

culture, and one that is often overlooked until it is too late—the

mischief being done. What is required is a strong durable material that

will wear well, and, where rollers are used, stand the strain upon it.

It must also be understood that shading does not consist of merely

daubing upon the glass some opaque material, such as paint, summer

cloud, whitening, or the like, which though all very well as palliatives

in positions where rollers cannot be used, such as at the ends and sides

of a house, are greatly to be deprecated as a shading for the roof, for

this reason, that in our English climate we are so subject to sudden

changes of the weather, that were such a permanent shading to be used,

we should frequently, especially during dull weather, have our plants in

comparative darkness when they should be getting all the light possible.

This cannot fail to lead to bad results and produce a sickly growth.

Some growers use thick canvas; indeed, we have done so ourselves many

years ago, but, by experience, we have found out the ill effects of it,

for when we employed this kind of shading, we found the plants under its

influence became weak and sickly, producing small puny flower-spikes. A

lighter shading was then employed, and the difference was marvellous;

the plants assumed quite a different aspect. It was at this time that we

were exhibiting at Chiswick the fine specimens of East Indian

Orchids—Aërides, Saccolabiums, Vandas, Dendrobiums, and many others—such

as we seldom see equalled now. Since then we have used thinner shadings,

with the best results. Our Vandas thus treated have always been strong

and healthy, with broader foliage, producing their flower-spikes as

often as three times a year, with the flowers of a good colour, lasting

a long time in perfection; in fact we are never without flower, always

having a good display. We refer more particularly to the suavis and

tricolor section of the genus. Some people imagine Vandas do not flower

till they attain a large size, but such is not the case if they are

properly grown, and thin shading is used. Our experience leads us to the

belief that all Orchids, with a few exceptions, require a thin shading,

that is to say, one that, while warding off the direct rays of the sun,

will allow the light to enter through it. To arrive at this result we

use a strong, durable, cotton netting, woven in small squares, close

enough to exclude the rays of the sun, while the light penetrates it

with but little interruption. This netting stands exposure to the

weather much longer than canvas, and on that account is cheaper in the

long run. We have used this material for some years; in the case of Cool

Orchids, Mexican, and East Indian kinds, with the best results, the

netting being attached to rollers with appropriate gear. For the cool

Orchid houses we employ raised blinds, upon which we hope to speak

further shortly. The blinds can be managed with but little trouble. In

the winter we take them off the house and put them in a dry place until

they are required again in the ensuing spring.—B. S. W.

[Illustration: PL. 31.

CALANTHE VEITCHII.]

CALANTHE VEITCHII.

[Plate 31.]

A Garden Hybrid.

Terrestrial. _Pseudobulbs_ fleshy, conical, bluntly angular, four to

six inches in height. _Leaves_ deciduous, about two from the apex of

each pseudobulb, lanceolate, narrowed both towards the base and apex,

plicate or plaited, of a bright green, produced before the flowers.

_Scapes_ radical, downy, invested in the lower part with sheathing

bracts, and each supporting a tall showy raceme of flowers, sometimes

reaching three to four feet long. _Flowers_ abundant, each subtended

by an ovate bract, of a very attractive and pleasing tint of rich deep

rosy pink, darker in some varieties; _sepals_ oblong lanceolate, the

dorsal one erect, the lateral ones spreading, deep rose-pink; _petals_

of the same form and colour, patent, directed upwards; _lip_ adherent

to the column, round which it is rolled at the base, front part

clawed, and expanded into a squarish four-lobed limb, rich rose-pink,

deepening almost to crimson around the creamy white eye or centre, the

spur straight, downy. _Column_ small, terete, downy at the back.

Calanthe Veitchii, _Lindley_, _Gardeners’ Chronicle_, 1859, 1016;

_Hooker_, _Botanical Magazine_, t. 5375; _Bateman_, _Second Century of

Orchids_, t. 106; _Jennings_, _Orchids_, t. 48; _Floral Magazine_, t.

280; _Williams_, _Orchid Growers’ Manual_, 5 ed., 109.

This Hybrid is one of the most distinct and charming of Orchids, as well

as one of the most useful for winter decoration. Our illustration was

prepared from some admirably grown materials which were kindly sent to

us from the rich collection of William Leach, Esq., of Oakley,

Fallowfield, near Manchester, where we have seen as many as one hundred

flower spikes of one of the most highly coloured forms of this somewhat

variable plant in full beauty; and, intermixed as they were with the

white _Calanthe vestita_, the effect produced was exceedingly pleasing

and attractive. Mr. Swan seems to have hit upon the most successful

method of cultivating these very charming plants, for some of the spikes

bore as many as forty flowers. He evidently knows also how to arrange

the plants to advantage, namely, by placing them in rows among the

foliage of the East Indian Orchids, so that the Calanthes, blooming as

they do without their leaves, have their beauty enhanced by the foliage

of the associated plants, especially that of the Aërides and Vandas.

_Calanthe Veitchii_ is of deciduous habit, losing its foliage just as it

comes into flower. We have, however, occasionally seen it with leaves

accompanying its flowers, though its natural habit is to lose them. It

produces flower spikes from three to four feet or more in length, and

sometimes bears as many as fifty flowers on one spike. The plants are

free-blooming and continue in flower for two months. The sepals and

petals, as well as the lip, are of a rich rosy pink colour. A gay

appearance may be kept up throughout the dull months of winter by having

a sufficient number of plants and starting them successively into

blossom.

These Calanthes are very accommodating, since they will thrive well in

baskets suspended from the roof, as well as in pots suspended by wire in

the same way as the baskets; they will also thrive in pots standing on

the tables, where room is not an object. If grown in baskets, they will

require more water in their growing season. We prefer them grown in this

manner where there is room, as they look so pleasing with their spikes

hanging gracefully from the roof. Where hundreds of spikes have to be

produced, as for instance is the case with Mr. C. Penny, of Sandringham

Gardens, for decorating the Prince of Wales’ table, the effect produced

is charming, and even for filling large vases they form a most elegant

adornment.

They are of easy cultivation when they get the treatment they require.

Like all other deciduous and bulbous plants their blooming season

follows that of the completion of the growth of the bulbs, and their

growing season commences when they have finished blooming, after which

they will soon begin to throw up their young growths. When this is

observed, let them be fresh potted. We have found it best to do this

every year, as they lose all their old roots annually. We shake the soil

away and cut off all the roots, and repot them, when, as soon as they

begin to grow, they will send out their new roots into fresh soil. The

material we use for potting is good rough fibrous loam and leaf mould,

with a little rotten manure, mixing them well together, and giving good

drainage with a layer of rough peat and moss on the top of it. In

potting, fill the pot up with the soil and place the bulb on the top,

just making it firm; it will soon root and support itself. If planted in

baskets, it is necessary to place some rough fibrous peat round the

sides and at the bottom to keep the soil from washing out; fill the

basket up with the same kind of compost as that recommended for the

pots, with drainage at the bottom; place the bulbs upright in the

basket, about three in number, on the top of the soil, and finish by

giving a little water. After the plants get into growth and are making

roots freely, they should always be kept moist until they have finished

their growth, when a less copious supply will suffice; and after they

have bloomed they may be kept dry for a time until they are ready for

potting. When the plants are in vigorous growth a little manure water

may, with advantage, be applied to their roots once or twice a week, but

it must be well diluted before being used, as, if given too strong, it

might destroy the roots.

We find the East India house to suit these Calanthes best, or they will

thrive well in a house where stove plants are grown. They are propagated

by separating the pseudobulbs at the time they are potted, and as they

generally make two growths from one bulb the increase is comparatively

rapid. Like other orchidaceous plants, they must be kept free from

insects.

[Illustration: PL. 32.

ONCIDIUM HÆMATOCHILUM.]

ONCIDIUM HÆMATOCHILUM.

[Plate 32.]

Native of New Grenada.

Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ none or obsolete, the leaves and

flower-scapes springing directly from the axils of the scaly bracts

which surround the crown. _Leaves_ solitary, flat, oblong, acute,

leathery in texture, dull green spotted with reddish brown, nine to

twelve inches long. _Scape_ radical, deep red, supporting a dense

panicle of green spotted crimson-lipped flowers. _Flowers_ about an

inch and a half across, showy on account of their rich colouring and

markings; _sepals_ oval-oblong, yellowish green, thickly marked with

irregular transverse bands of rich reddish brown; _petals_ oblong,

spathulate, wavy, similar in colour to the sepals, but less heavily

marked; _lip_ clawed, with a pair of auricles at the base, the claw

and auricles deep magenta-rose colour, the front expanded portion

roundish or transversely reniform, of a deep sanguineous crimson, and

having the margin yellow, closely mottled with deep rose-crimson, the

disk furnished with a flexuose crest shaped like the letter W, and

thence raised into an eminence with a toothlet on each side. _Column_

short, with rounded wings curved downwards and somewhat lobed.

Oncidium hæmatochilum, _Lindley_, in _Paxton’s Flower Garden_, i., t.

6; _Id._, re-issue, t. 26; _Id._, _Folia Orchidacea_, art. _Oncidium_,

No. 132; _Reichenbach fil._, in _Walpers’ Annales Botanices

Systematicæ_, vi., 783.

Oncidium luridum purpuratum, _Loddiges_, _List_—_fide_ Lindley.

This is undoubtedly one of our oldest Orchids—one that we recollect to

have seen in bloom with the Messrs. Loddiges, in their noble collection

of Orchids, about thirty years ago. We have always been under the

impression that it was one of the prettiest of the spotted Oncidiums,

but, although we have occasionally bloomed it, since then we have seen

it in very few collections. We were accordingly very greatly pleased to

meet with a remarkably fine example of it in the collection of G. W. L.

Schofield, Esq., of Rawtenstall, near Manchester, from which our

illustration was taken. The plant bore two flower-spikes, one of which

was three feet six inches in length, bearing forty fine blossoms, and

was a most beautiful example of the species; the other was shorter, and

from this our drawing was made, as our page would not afford space for

the representation of the larger spike. Our readers will, however, be

enabled from the description and figure to form a good idea of the

beauty of this rare species when well grown. Mr. Schofield is a great

lover of good Orchids, and apparently intends having a fine collection

of them, as he has had houses built for the different classes; his

gardener also takes great interest in the plants, and consequently they

are closely looked after and well cared for.

The _Oncidium hæmatochilum_ is a very compact-growing plant, with leaves

from nine to twelve inches in height, and two and a half inches broad,

of a dark green colour, spotted with brown. The sepals and petals are of

a greenish yellow, mottled with crimson; the lip is of a rich crimson,

edged with yellow, and spotted round the margin with magenta-rose

colour. It flowers in November, the blossoms continuing for several

weeks in perfection, and is a plant that will no doubt become popular,

as it blooms at a time when flowers are in request. The specimen we are

describing was grown in a basket in the Cattleya house, in peat and

moss, which form an unexceptionable compost for it, with good drainage,

and a moderate supply of water in the growing season. It is best

suspended from the roof where it may obtain plenty of light, but it does

not like bright sunshine, and consequently must be shaded in sunny

weather.

The Oncidiums are a class of Orchids among which occur some most showy

and beautiful species; while almost every colour we could mention is to

be found represented among them. They come from different regions, and

in consequence their treatment must vary. Some of them rank among our

finest exhibition plants, as well as amongst the best for the decoration

of our stoves and Orchid houses. We often see fine specimens of

Oncidiums in our grand old collections of plants where there is no

pretence at growing a collection of Orchids, but where they are merely

cultivated for cutting purposes. What is more airy and elegant for vases

than the inflorescence of _Oncidium flexuosum_, or even _O.

sphacelatum_, or that of many others we could mention if space would

allow? What more brilliant than such species as _O. varicosum_ and its

variety _O. Rogersii_, _O. ampliatum majus_, _O. tigrinum_, _O.

Marshallianum_, or _O. macranthum_?

Dendrobium Findleyanum.—This plant is now (January, 1882) finely in

flower in the collection of J. C. Bowring, Esq., Windsor Forest. It must

be a grand specimen, as Mr. Clinkaberry, the gardener, informs us that

it has one hundred and ninety-two expanded blossoms. We have never

before heard of such a well-flowered specimen as this; indeed, large

plants of this species are somewhat rare. It is a most curious grower,

and very remarkable for its long tapering compressed and deeply nodose

stem-like pseudobulbs. The flowers are large, white, tipped with rosy

pink, in the same way as those of _D. Wardianum_, and they are produced

in great profusion. It is a plant that takes but little room, and should

be in every collection.—B. S. W.

[Illustration: PL. 33.

CATTLEYA SUPERBA SPLENDENS.]

CATTLEYA SUPERBA SPLENDENS.

[Plate 33.]

Native of Brazil in the region of the Rio Negro.

Epiphytal. _Stems_ slender, subterete, furrowed, with distant nodes,

nearly a foot in height. _Leaves_ in pairs, ovate or ovate-oblong,

obtuse, barely four inches in length, of a deep bluish green colour

and stout coriaceous texture. _Scape_ four to five-flowered, issuing

from a terminal oblong obtuse compressed sheathing bract, of a pale

brown colour, which is about two inches long and three-quarters of an

inch broad. _Flowers_ richly coloured, nearly six inches in breadth;

_sepals_ elliptic-lanceolate, plane, about two and a half inches long,

of a deep rich purplish rose colour; _petals_ of the same colour

somewhat broader and longer, rhomboid, more or less undulated at the

margin in the upper half; _lip_ about two inches long, three-lobed,

the basal lobes elongately connivent into a tube acute in front, of a

rich magenta-crimson, white at the base, middle lobe transversely

rounded, broader than long, emarginate, narrowed into a claw, the

front portion of the same rich crimson colour, the disk and interior

of the tube yellow, the former traversed by five elevated golden

yellow lines. _Column_ enclosed.

Cattleya superba splendens, _Lemaire_, _Illustration Horticole_ xvi.,

t. 605; _Williams_, _Orchid Grower’s Manual_, 4 ed., 127; 5 ed., 132.

The plant we are now about to describe is one of the most magnificent

members of its genus, so far as regards the brilliant colouring of its

flowers. This may be seen by a reference to the accompanying

illustration, which was taken from a fine plant that flowered at the

Victoria Nursery, and was subsequently purchased by William Lee, Esq. of

Downside, Leatherhead. The plant was seen to great advantage when

suspended in a basket from the roof of the Orchid-house, and in this

position was greatly admired, by _connoisseurs_ on account of its rich

and brilliant colours. The plants of _Cattleya superba_ vary

considerably in the colour of their flowers, those of the original or

type form being well represented in the first series of _Warner’s Select

Orchidaceous Plants_ (t. 24), where a most beautiful spike with six of

its really superb flowers is shown.

The variety which we now introduce to the notice of our

readers—_Cattleya superba splendens_—is one of distinct character, and

of unparalleled beauty. It comes from a different country, viz., the Rio

Negro region of Para instead of Guiana. The plant is of compact growth

like _C. superba_, and generally flowers during July and August; the

stems (pseudobulbs) are ten to twelve inches in height; the leaves are

produced in pairs, and are longer and more pointed, and its splendidly

coloured flowers are produced four or five together in the spike from

the top of the stem when it is making its growth. The individual

blossoms are as much as five inches across, and are well expanded, the

sepals and petals being of a bright but delicate rose colour, and the

lip white at the base, the front and side lobes rich magenta-crimson,

the disk and interior of the tube being of a bright golden yellow. The

plant continues in blossom for three or four weeks if the flowers are

kept from damp; indeed, all Cattleya blooms retain their freshness for a

longer period if kept dry, especially the large light-flowered forms of

_C. Mossiæ_, _C. Trianæ_, _C. Mendelii_, &c., which soon become spotted

if the atmosphere surrounding them is much charged with moisture.

_Cattleya superba_ is not in general well cultivated, but we have seen

some specimens which were grown with extraordinary skill and success in

the select collection of O. Schneider, Esq., of Cromwell Grange,

Fallowfield, near Manchester. These specimens, as many as nine in

number, were suspended in baskets from the roof of the warm house. They

were grown from imported plants, and we have noticed them in the same

position growing and blooming freely for the past three years, and, as

they succeed so well, we should certainly recommend their being retained

in the same situation. It is a golden rule for cultivators that when a

particular kind of plant is found to thrive in a certain position, it

should be kept there, so long at least as the conditions are suitable.

In the instance just referred to the plants were suspended close to the

glass, where they enjoyed a great abundance of light, and this was

possibly the secret of their success. Other important considerations are

that the plants do not like to be disturbed and will not bear cutting

up.

It is necessary at all times to keep sweet healthy material about the

roots by removing the old effete soil and replacing it by that which is

fresh and sound. We find rough fibrous peat and charcoal to suit it, but

this must be accompanied by good drainage. We have seen them thrive well

on blocks of wood, but when grown in this way they require more water.

If cultivated in baskets they also need a good supply during the season

of growth. In winter less will suffice, merely enough being given to

keep the bulbs in a plump condition. As soon as they show signs of

growth, more water should be given, but it is necessary to avoid wetting

the young growths, as this often causes them to damp off, and when this

is the case the succeeding growth will be weakly and unable to develop

blossoms.

The plants should be kept free from insects; sometimes thrips will

attack the young growths, but it should be speedily removed, as, if

allowed to remain, it will soon make great havoc.

[Illustration: PL. 34.

PAPHINIA CRISTATA.]

PAPHINIA CRISTATA.

[Plate 34.]

Native of Trinidad and Guiana.

Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ small, clustered, oblong-ovate, compressed,

somewhat furrowed, bearing one to three leaves at the apex, and

leaf-like scales at the base. _Leaves_ oblong-lanceolate, plicate,

submembranaceous, spreading, about eight inches in height. _Scapes_

proceeding from the base of the pseudobulbs, pendent, two or

three-flowered, clothed with loose brown membranaceous bracts.

_Flowers_ smooth, spreading, whitish on the outside, beautifully

marked with purple lines within, about three and a half inches across;

_sepals_ lanceolate acute, fleshy, pale straw colour, almost entirely

covered by thin transverse lines of chocolate-purple; _petals_ similar

in form and colour, but somewhat narrower; _lip_ much smaller than the

foregoing, fleshy, tripartite, almost entirely of a rich purplish

black, ovate in outline, shortly unguiculate, with four stalked glands

on the reddish orange purple-spotted claw, the lateral lobes

sickle-shaped, the middle lobe rhomboidal, terminated by a tuft of

club-shaped fimbriæ; disk crested, bidentate, with a few deep yellow

spots down the centre. _Column_ club-shaped, semiterete, greenish at

the base, the upper portion auriculate, with a projecting tooth on

each side, deep yellow.

Paphinia cristata, _Lindley_, _Botanical Register_, 1843, misc. 14;

_Lyons_, _Treatise on Orchidaceous Plants_, 203; _Van Houtte_, _Flore

des Serres_, iv., t. 335; _Hooker_, _Botanical Magazine_, t. 4836;

_Reichenbach fil._, in _Walpers’ Annales Botanices Systematicæ_, vi.,

614; _Williams_, _Orchid Grower’s Manual_, 5 ed., 265; _Bateman_, _2nd

Century of Orchidaceous Plants_, t. 117.

Maxillaria cristata, _Lindley_, _Botanical Register_, t. 1811.

_Paphinia_ is a genus of very limited extent, and of which but few

species are at present known. That now before us is a very old and

familiar species, one of the best known amongst them, and a singularly

handsome little plant. It was the _Maxillaria cristata_ of early Orchid

days, and considerable quantities of it were formerly imported, but it

has now become very rare. We have flowered several plants during the

past year at the Victoria Nursery, where they were greatly admired by

those who saw them. It is a plant which comparatively few persons

interested in Orchids have met with in blossom, and of which our plate

gives a very correct representation. The flowers are remarkably curious,

not only for their structure, but also for their colouring, as will be

seen by reference to our illustration. The plant has, moreover, a very

peculiar mode of throwing out its flower-spikes.

We have also flowered _Paphinia rugosa_, another very singular and

pretty plant, after the same style, but differing in colour, and well

worth cultivation. They occupy but little space in the Orchid-houses,

and are best grown in small pans suspended near the glass where they

have the full benefit of the light, but must be shaded from the sun

since their thin-textured leaves would suffer injury from too complete

an exposure.

_Paphinia cristata_, is a low-growing plant, with small shiny

pseudobulbs, and light green plicate foliage about eight inches in

height. It is a free-blooming species, generally producing three flowers

on a scape which proceeds from the base of the pseudobulb after that has

completed its growth. The flowers last in beauty for about a fortnight,

and are produced at different periods of the year. The sepals and petals

are nearly covered with transverse parallel lines of dark

chocolate-purple on a creamy yellow ground; the lip is coloured in a

similar manner, and furnished with some curious tufted fringes.

These plants are not so easy to cultivate as some other Orchids; but, by

bestowing on them a little extra care and attention, they may be kept in

a thriving and healthy condition. We find them to grow best in small

pans, nearly filled with drainage, and a lump of charcoal on the top of

it; place the plant on the top of this with but little rough fibrous

peat or live sphagnum moss about the roots, and so that it is elevated a

little above the rim, as it has the peculiarity of throwing its

flower-spike downwards.

This species is a native of Guiana, and of the adjacent island of

Trinidad. In the latter it is found growing on decayed branches of trees

in the neighbourhood of the mud lake. In the former it occurs in the

warmer parts of Demerara, and, consequently, must be cultivated in the

warm house, and kept in a moist atmosphere during the season of its

growth; when at rest, however, a smaller quantity of water will suffice,

but it should never be allowed to shrivel, as, when once its condition

becomes bad, it is very difficult to restore its health.

Odontoglossum Alexandræ flaveolum.—Whoever expected ten years ago to see

a yellow-flowered _Odontoglossum Alexandræ_ (?) No one, we should think,

unless it were by a great stretch of the imagination. However, here is

one from the fine collection of G. Hardy, Esq., of Timperley,

Manchester. The flowers in every respect resemble those of _O.

Alexandræ_, except in their colour, which is a bright canary-yellow. The

spike before us bears fifteen expanded flowers, and is one of the

greatest surprises we have had the good fortune to meet with for a long

time. It is true that distinct varieties of this “the Queen of Orchids”

are turning up almost every day, but one seldom has a chance of seeing

an entirely new break of colour of this sort. We believe that a variety

with yellow flowers bloomed some time ago in the Broomfield collection,

but the colour was not so decided in Mr. Warner’s plant as it is in the

case now before us.—B. S. W.

[Illustration: PL. 35.

ODONTOGLOSSUM ANDERSONIANUM.]

ODONTOGLOSSUM ANDERSONIANUM.

[Plate 35.]

Native of New Grenada.

Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ ligulate-pyriform, costate, two or three

inches high. _Leaves_ broadly linear, acute, about a foot long, of a

light green colour, two from the top of each pseudobulb, with

occasionally another from its base. _Scape_ radical, spreading, more

or less drooping, supporting a branching raceme about two feet long.

_Flowers_ resembling those of _Odontoglossum Alexandræ_, but smaller,

prettily spotted; _sepals_ ovate-oblong, acute, slightly crispy,

creamy white, heavily and irregularly blotched on the lower half with

bright chestnut-brown, the attenuated upper half unspotted; _petals_

similar in form and colour, the blotches which are also on the lower

half smaller, and more thickly placed; _lip_ from a cuneate base,

pandurate, narrow in front, apiculate, distinctly wavy and toothed,

creamy white, yellow at the base, with fewer and smaller brown spots;

disk deep yellow, with a prominent crest dividing in front into two

divergent horns. _Column_ greenish towards the base, brown in front,

the wings and anther-case white.

Odontoglossum Andersonianum, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners’

Chronicle_, 1868, 599; _Id._ 1872, 41; _Floral Magazine_, 2 ser., t.

45.

The charming _Odontoglossum Andersonianum_, supposed to be a wild mule

between _O. Alexandræ_ (_crispum_) and _O. præstans_ or _O. gloriosum_,

is one of the many prettily spotted Odontoglots which have been

introduced into our collections during the past few years, and among

which new varieties are continually appearing. One of the best forms of

this plant which has come under our notice is that represented in the

accompanying plate, prepared from a very beautiful specimen which

bloomed last year among many other fine Odontoglots, well cultivated in

the collection of Messrs. William Thomson & Sons, of Clovenfords near

Galashiels.

The _Odontoglossum Andersonianum_ is a compact-growing plant, with

pyriform pseudobulbs two to three inches high, pale green leaves, and

gracefully drooping branched flower-spikes about two feet in length. The

sepals and petals are at first creamy white, spotted with purplish

brown, the lip being also white, but less heavily spotted. The plant is

of free-blooming habit, the flowers continuing fresh and perfect for a

period of five or six weeks. It is exceedingly difficult to recognize

this form until it produces its blossoms, as its growth is remarkably

similar to that of _O. Alexandræ_. Indeed there are many forms and

varieties of this particular group which it is impossible to recognize

until their flowers are seen; and, though cultivators may sometimes feel

assured of the identity of individual plants, the production of flowers

not unfrequently proves them to be mistaken.

_Odontoglossum Andersonianum_ requires the same treatment as _O.

Alexandræ_ and other cool Orchids, also the same amount of water. The

plants must have good fibrous peat to grow in, and plenty of drainage,

as they need to be freely supplied with water all the year round, and

this, if allowed to become stagnant, would prove very injurious to them.

The material in which they are grown must also be clean and sweet; and

though they must never be over-potted, sufficient space should be

allowed for their roots. We have sometimes seen Odontoglots in pots far

too large for them, and though this may tend to make the plants more

important-looking, yet it will eventually spoil them, as the larger

amount of soil becomes soddened with water, and this produces rotting of

the roots.

Raised Blinds for Orchid Houses.—During the summer months we have found

Raised Blinds very beneficial to the growth of Orchids, especially to

those requiring cool-house culture. When the hot summer’s sun is shining

upon the glass, it is very difficult, where Raised Blinds are not

employed, to keep the temperature sufficiently low. The glass roof of

the structure upon which the sun is shining becomes very hot, even when

shaded with ordinary blinds; but if Raised Blinds are used a current of

air is allowed to pass over the entire surface of the roof, and the

glass is kept comparatively cool. The effect of this is to decrease very

appreciably the internal temperature of the house; and the moisture,

which would otherwise be dried up by the burning heat of the sun,

produces a nice humid genial atmosphere in which Orchids delight. Having

thus far referred to the advantages to be derived from the use of this

method of shading, we may now explain briefly the mode of construction.

Supposing that the house to be furnished with Raised Blinds is an

ordinary span-roofed structure, it is necessary in the first place to

provide a second ridge elevated about six inches above the top of the

existing one. This should not consist of a solid plank, but of a strip

of timber sufficiently strong to bear the weight and strain of the

blinds and roller, and should be supported on blocks of wood placed at

intervals in order to allow the current of air from below to find an

outlet, which would not be the case if a solid ridge-board were adopted.

Having arranged for the ridge, the next thing is to provide supports for

the rollers; either wood or iron may be used for this purpose, but we

have found iron to be the lightest looking and the most durable. Where

the length of the rafters does not exceed say eight feet, half-inch rod

iron will be found to be strong enough, and this should be cut into

proper lengths, with the lower end turned up in a semi-circular form, so

as to catch the roller when it descends, and prevent it from running off

the supports. These supporting rods should be fixed to the bars or

rafters of the house, about six inches above the woodwork, by being

welded to vertical iron stays, which latter should be flattened out at

the base, and provided with holes so that they can be screwed to the

rafters or bars of the roof. In this way a strong support for the blinds

to roll upon will be formed; the blinds themselves can be attached to

the elevated ridge in the ordinary way, and the gearing usually employed

for the purpose will be found to answer well for pulling them up or

down. Many Orchid growers have already adopted these Raised Blinds with

very beneficial results.—B. S. W.

[Illustration: PL. 36.

CYPRIPEDIUM POLITUM.]

CYPRIPEDIUM POLITUM.

[Plate 36.]

Garden Hybrid.

Epiphytal. Acaulescent. _Leaves_ radical, distichous, coriaceous,

oblong, acute, palish green thickly chequered with dark bottle-green

markings, the under side dull reddish purple. _Scapes_ solitary in the

leaf axils, pubescent, purplish, terminating in a lanceolate sharply

keeled bract, from which the solitary blossom emerges. _Flowers_

medium-sized, peculiar in form, rather showy; _dorsal sepals_

ovate-acute, ciliate, the inner surface polished, suffused with

reddish purple in the lower part, whitish towards the tip, traversed

by numerous green veins of which the alternate ones are longer and

stouter than the rest, all of them distinctly marked on the outer

surface; _lateral connate sepals_ smaller, ciliate, greenish white

with green veins, rather shorter than the lip; _petals_ linear-oblong,

about two and a half inches in length, glossy, deflexed (more so than

in the figure), ciliate with a fringe of unequal black hairs, bright

wine-red, greenish towards the base, where it is marked with several

Indian-purple warts most abundant near the upper edge, exterior

surface green; _lip_ narrowly pouch-shaped, nearly as long as the

petals, suffused in front with the same purplish red tint, and marked

thickly with green veins at the sides and back, the basal auricles

erect, obtuse, interior surface green, dotted with wine-red, the

incurved margins of the claw greenish yellow, with reddish spots.

_Staminode_ transverse, yellowish green, with two large exterior teeth

in front and a small inner tooth, light brown with green markings.

Cypripedium politum, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners’ Chronicle_,

N.S. xiv., 525.

This new Lady’s Slipper is one of a batch raised some few years since by

Robert Warner, Esq., of Broomfield, near Chelmsford, who has been

successful in producing several very good forms by the process of

hybridisation. The plants are of dwarf habit, free-growing, and

free-blooming, each small growth bringing forth its flower. This

_Cypripedium politum_ has been flowered for several years past by Mr.

Warner, and thus its characteristic features and its constancy are well

ascertained. There are also some other distinct kinds obtained through

the same cross, some of which we hope to figure on a future occasion. We

should expect that the cross was made between _C. barbatum superbum_ and

_C. venustum_.

_Cypripedium politum_ is a plant of compact habit and of free growth.

The leaves are of a distinct and well-marked character, as will be seen

in the very accurate portrait furnished by our artist. They are oblong,

acute, about five inches long, and somewhat over an inch broad, of a

beautiful light green, barred and chequered with a very deep or

bottle-green, which gives it a very pleasing appearance; the

under-surface is stained with a deep reddish wine-purple. The downy

flower-scapes are also purple, some six to eight inches in height, each

supporting a solitary flower, in which the dorsal sepal is ovate,

polished, flushed in the lower part with purplish red and spotted with

purple at the base, the upper part white, and the whole traversed by

bright green veins which are alternately long and short. The petals are

oblong, broadest at the apex, of a bright wine-red, polished, with black

hairs along the margin, and Indian-purple warts near the upper edge,

greenish towards the base and along the lower edge. The pouch-shaped lip

is nearly as long as the petals, purplish red with a coppery tinge,

glossy, veined with green at the sides and back. The flowers are

produced during January and February, a season when they are much in

request for decorative purposes. The Cypripediums are very useful for

furnishing a supply of cut flowers, as they will keep fresh for several

weeks in water, and will last for at least six weeks on the plant.

These interesting plants are of easy cultivation, and occupy but little

space, hence they may be accommodated in every small collection, and may

be grown without much expense. The species and varieties forming the

_barbatum_ group, to which this plant belongs, all require similar

treatment. They may be grown either in the Cattleya or East India house,

and are best cultivated in pots. Some of our Orchid-growers prefer to

plant them in sphagnum moss, others in peat; for ourselves, we prefer to

use good fibrous peat, ample drainage being provided. We have seen them

thrive well in fibrous loam. The plants must be kept above the rim of

the pot, as they root freely over the surface of the rough material.

Since they have no fleshy bulbs to support them, and their growth is

continuous almost throughout the year, they require to be liberally

supplied with water at the roots; for this reason the pots must be well

drained.

Insects require to be constantly searched for. The scale sometimes

appears upon the plants, but may easily be subjugated by sponging the

surface with clean water. Their greatest enemy, however, is the red

thrips, which must be hunted up and destroyed if the health of the

plants is to be maintained, but it may be easily kept under if promptly,

perseveringly, and vigorously attacked.

Dendrobium macrophyllum.—We have received two splendid spikes of this

magnificent Dendrobe, with flowers of an unusually fine colour, from a

well grown specimen, such as we might expect from so experienced a

grower as Mr. Penny, of the Royal Gardens, Sandringham, who has been one

of the most successful exhibitors of specimen Orchids at our London

shows, where he has, with the large collections staged by him, carried

off nearly all the leading prizes. We hope at some future period to be

able to figure this fine Dendrobium, the sepals and petals of which are

of a rose-magenta colour, and the lip of the same colour, with a

purplish crimson throat. We received with the Dendrobe a fine spike of

the white-lipped form of _Odontoglossum Hallii_ in grand condition, the

sepals and petals being of a very bright golden yellow with rich

markings of a brownish crimson colour. This variety forms a splendid

contrast with the white-flowered _O. Alexandræ_ and _O. Pescatorei_, of

which kinds there is a fine collection at Sandringham. The Prince of

Wales is a great admirer of these as well as of other good Orchids.—B.

S. W.

[Illustration: PL. 37.

CYPRIPEDIUM CHLORONEURUM.]

CYPRIPEDIUM CHLORONEURUM.

[Plate 37.]

Garden Hybrid.

Epiphytal. Acaulescent. _Leaves_ radical, distichous, coriaceous,

oblong acute, closely tessellated with dark hieroglyphic markings on a

light green ground, the under surface reddish purple. _Scapes_

solitary in the central leaf-axils, pubescent, reddish purple,

one-flowered, with a very short ovate bract. _Flowers_ large, with

expanded petals, rather attractive in colour; _dorsal sepal_ broadly

ovate, bright yellow-green with white margin, and a narrow purple

central stripe, on each side of which are about four strongly marked

dark green longitudinal veins, connected by finer transverse veins;

_lateral (connate) sepals_ small; _petals_ oblong, broader upwards,

two and a half inches long, and three-fourths of an inch wide, with

green longitudinal veins, and a dark purple central line, on one side

of which (the upper half) they are washed with wine-purple, and have a

yellowish buff margin, and a few black warts near the base, where they

are ciliated; on the other (lower) half very slightly tinted with

purple, the cross veins more apparent, and the margin green; _lip_

rather large, shortly pouch-shaped, heavily stained with wine-purple,

and freely marked with bold reticulations of a darker purple, the

upper angles yellowish at the margins. _Staminode_ transversely

reniform, pale green, with dark green feathery markings in front.

Cypripedium chloroneurum, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners’

Chronicle_, N.S., xiv., 525.

This is one of the most distinct of the new hybrid Lady’s Slippers that

have been recently introduced to the notice of Orchid-growers; it will

also be appreciated as one of the most useful, being of a neat

free-growing and abundant-blooming habit of growth. The Cypripediums are

everybody’s plants, that is to say, any one who has a place adapted for

their cultivation can manage them without difficulty. Many growers make

them their especial care and study, procuring every species and variety

that can be obtained, and thus forming a very interesting and diverse

group.

Our present subject was raised by Robert Warner, Esq., in whose

collection at Broomfield it has been blooming very abundantly, and it

was from Mr. Warner’s plant that our drawing was taken. The variety

resembles the one figured on plate 36 in being of free-blooming habit,

and also in being very attractive in regard to its foliage as well as

its flowers. Many hybrid Cypripediums have been raised in this country

of late years by the Messrs. Veitch and Sons, and also by other growers.

Some of these have proved to be very beautiful and effective subjects,

and no doubt there are others coming forward that have not yet bloomed.

Many splendid novelties may yet be gained by crossing those kinds that

have flowers of distinct forms and colours, and, as many of the

varieties bloom simultaneously, the hybridiser will find abundant

opportunities for carrying out his plans.

These plants appear to be easily raised from seeds, and to reach the

flowering stage sooner than most other seedling Orchids.

Some of the Cypripediums thrive well in a cool house, and by fertilising

these with the best of the stove species, a new set of cool-house forms

would probably be obtained. Such a result would be one of considerable

importance to Orchidists, as no doubt, if varieties of a different

character to those we already possess could be obtained, some of our

enthusiastic growers would take up their cultivation in good earnest. At

present the majority of the Lady’s Slippers require a warm house.

_Cypripedium chloroneurum_ is a dwarf compact-habited plant, with

evergreen foliage about six inches in length, beautifully variegated

with closely chequered markings of dark and light green. The flowers are

produced in January and February, and continue on for several weeks. The

colours are distinct and attractive, the broad flat dorsal sepal being

of a bright lively pale green striped with darker green nerves and

bordered with white, the petals suffused with purple on the upper half

and marked with black marginal warts, and the purplish lip freely

ornamented with bold dark purple reticulations, altogether presenting a

remarkably effective appearance.

This novel hybrid grows freely when potted in rough fibrous peat with

good drainage. When in vigorous growth it requires a liberal supply of

water at the roots. Propagation is accomplished by dividing the plants

after they have finished blooming and are ready to start into fresh

growth; they can then be divided with safety by cutting off a back

growth with a leading shoot in front of it, but care must be taken in

cutting that the remaining portion of the plant is provided with an eye

so placed as to break and form a new growth. When this young growth has

been made, the divided plant may be shaken out from the old soil and

potted. The offshoots should be placed in small pots until the following

year, when, if they have made good growth, they may require to be

repotted. They must be kept moist and in a plump condition, as they have

only slender resources of their own to rely upon, but they root freely.

As the plants get established they will require larger supplies of

water, for which reason good drainage must be secured.

Aërides Leeanum.—This novelty has bloomed in the collection of G. W. L.

Schofield, Esq., of New Hall, Hey, Rawtenstall, near Manchester,

producing four flower-spikes. It is a beautiful object, its spikes of

richly-coloured rosy pink blossoms hanging gracefully from the plant. It

is very distinct from any other species of _Aërides_, and will doubtless

become a great favourite. One of its great recommendations is that it

blooms in the winter, which is not the case with the generality of these

plants, their usual flowering season being during the spring and summer

months. _A. Leeanum_ is a small growing plant, but produces its spikes

of blossoms very freely; and requiring, as it does, but a limited space

for its accommodation, it will be a most useful introduction for amateur

cultivators.—B. S. W.

[Illustration: PL. 38.

DENDROBIUM BIGIBBUM.]

DENDROBIUM BIGIBBUM.

[Plate 38.]

Native of Tropical North-east Australia.

Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ long, slender, erect, fusiform, one to two

feet in length, closely invested between the nodes with dry light

brown sheaths, the older ones swollen at the very base. _Leaves_

oblong-lanceolate, sub-acuminate, five ribbed, of a deep green colour,

and a somewhat coriaceous texture, a few only (five or six) being

developed towards the extremities of the stems. _Racemes_ erect or

curving, six to twelve flowered, nearly a foot in length, usually

produced from the upper nodes of the old leafless stems, but sometimes

from the apex of the younger leafy stems. _Flowers_ large, showy, rich

rosy purple; _sepals_ oblong acute, flat, of a rich purplish magenta,

the lateral ones united at the base into a short blunt spur below the

setting on of the lip, above which spur is a gibbosity, occasioned by

a similar swelling at the base of the lip (whence comes the specific

name _bigibbum_); _petals_ large, roundish, spreading, recurved, of

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

incurved, the retuse middle lobe somewhat reflexed, rich

crimson-purple veined with darker purple, the base decurrent and

gibbose, and the disk with three white papillose crests. _Columns_

compressed, grooved, the back united with the sepal.

Dendrobium bigibbum, _Lindley_, in _Paxton’s Flower Garden_, iii, 25,

fig. 245; _Hooker_, _Botanical Magazine_, t. 4898; _Walpers’ Annales

Botanices Systematicæ_, vi., 302; _Warner_, _Select Orchidaceous

Plants_, 2 ser. t. 8; _Van Houtte_, _Flore des Serres_, xi., t. 1143;

_Bateman_, _Second Century of Orchidaceous Plants_, t. 169;

_Williams_, _Orchid Growers’ Manual_, 5 ed., 165.

This plant belongs to one of the most noble and popular, one of the most

showy and beautiful genera of the whole family of Orchids, and one among

the flowers of which nearly every colour occurs—bright yellow, pure

white, rich crimson, bright purple, soft mauve, rich orange, nankeen,

and many others being found among the many and various habited species

of Dendrobes.

_Dendrobium bigibbum_, the subject of our plate, is a species of a

remarkably beautiful and showy character, which, until within the last

few years, has been somewhat rare. In 1876, however, we received a large

consignment from our collector, Mr. Goldie, who was then on his way to

New Guinea, and who met with it growing on an island in Torres Straits,

it having hitherto, we believe, been found only on the mainland of

Australia. These plants were very fine, some of the specimens being of

enormous dimensions, with stems quite two feet long, and from one and

a-half to two inches in circumference. The specimens from which our

figure of one of the most charming forms of this species which we have

yet seen, was prepared, were kindly sent to us from the fine collection

of the Marquess of Lothian, at Newbattle Abbey. Dalkeith, where it

bloomed in September last in full beauty, amongst many other notable

Orchids which are well cultivated by the intelligent gardener, Mr.

Priest, who takes great delight in the careful management of his plants.

This species of _Dendrobium_ is partially deciduous, the fully ripened

stems sometimes losing the whole of their foliage, while the young

growths retain their leaves until the following year. It grows from one

to two feet in height, and produces its racemes of flowers sometimes

from the top of the young growths, and sometimes from the old stems, in

the latter case often bearing many spikes on the same stem. The flowers

are of a rich rosy purple, and last in perfection for a considerable

period. It is a most useful subject for associating with a button-hole

bouquet, single flowers being shown off to great advantage by placing a

light-looking fern frond behind them. The racemes of flowers last a long

time after being cut if placed in water, and are most useful in all

floral decorations. By growing several plants, successional blooms may

be had at different periods.

This Tropical Australian species is best grown in a warm house, as the

plants require a good amount of heat—70° to 80° while growing—and plenty

of light, but the burning rays of the sun must be kept from them. They

thrive best when planted in pans or baskets amongst rough fibrous peat

and sphagnum moss, and suspended from the roof of the Orchid house.

During the summer season they require a liberal supply of water, but in

winter should have only sufficient to keep the stems plump. The plant

will also succeed on blocks of wood, but, if grown in this way, it will

in hot weather need watering twice a day, and once a day at other times.

Some cultivators have been unsuccessful with this species, but we have

found it to thrive well in a house where Crotons, Dipladenias,

Stephanotis, etc., are grown; the Dendrobes seem to enjoy the moisture

transmitted to them by the stove plants which are generally syringed in

warm weather, and the dew arising from this operation appears to suit

the Orchid. The syringe is also useful in subduing the red spider, which

will sometimes attack the young growth. Insects often infest those kinds

of _Dendrobium_ that are grown in strong heat, but they must by this and

other means be kept under.

Such treatment suits almost all the popular Dendrobes, namely, _D.

Devonianum_, _D. Wardianum superbum_, _D. chrysanthum_, _D. superbum

(macrophyllum)_, _D. crassinode_, etc.; and the plants are found to be

much stronger by reason of hanging near the glass well exposed to light,

in which position they can be syringed on warm days—this moistening not

only invigorating their growth, but being also a means of keeping

insects under control.

[Illustration: PL. 39.

PHALÆNOPSIS STUARTIANA NOBILIS.]

PHALÆNOPSIS STUARTIANA NOBILIS.

[Plate 39.]

Native of the East.

Epiphytal. Acaulescent, the plants clinging to their supports by stout

flattened roots. _Leaves_ coriaceous, distichous, ligulate-oblong,

acute, channelled, equitant at the base, the upper surface marbled

with transverse grey blotches which disappear with age, the under

surface purplish red, similar in size to those of _Phalænopsis

Schilleriana_. _Scape_ radical, bearing a many-flowered (120 or more)

branching panicle of very handsomely and peculiarly spotted blossoms.

_Flowers_ nearly three inches across, expanded, cream-coloured at

first, becoming white; _sepals_ oblong, or ovate-oblong, about an inch

in length, the dorsal one white, the lateral ones white along the

upper side, the lower side being yellow thickly spotted with

cinnamon-red; _petals_ much broader, narrowed near the base, white;

_lip_ three-lobed, with a four-horned yellow callosity at its base,

the lateral lobes oblong, rounded, the middle lobe oval, with an

anchor-like extremity, the apex terminating in a pair of narrow

recurved laciniæ, all the lobes yellow at the base, white upwards and

handsomely spotted with rich cinnamon-red. _Column_ clavate, white.

Phalænopsis Stuartiana, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners’ Chronicle_,

N.S. xvi., 748, 753, fig. 149; Moore, _Florist and Pomologist_, 1882,

49, t. 559.

_Var._ NOBILIS; flowers larger in all their parts, marked with fewer

and larger spots; front lobe of the lip rhombic.

Phalænopsis Stuartiana _var._ NOBILIS, _Reichenbach fil._, in

_Gardeners’ Chronicle_, N.S. xvi., 748.

There can be no doubt that the species of _Phalænopsis_ rank amongst our

finest Orchids, on account of the purity and soft tinting of their

blossoms and the profusion in which they are produced. Unfortunately, at

present, we only possess a limited number of them. During the last few

years, indeed, many new kinds, which are giving a fresh interest to the

genus, have been introduced by our collectors; and, although it is

barely possible that any new introduction should surpass the old

species, yet it is gratifying to know that there are yet to be found

distinct and novel kinds of great beauty. _P. Stuartiana_, which we now

bring under the notice of our readers, is a very fine and well-marked

species, recently imported from the East by Messrs. Low & Co., of Upper

Clapton, and named by Professor Reichenbach in honour of Mr. Stuart Low,

who is one of the largest importers of this class of Orchids. Our plate,

which represents the variety called _P. Stuartiana nobilis_, was

sketched from a plant now in the fine collection of William Lee, Esq.,

of Downside, Leatherhead, who purchased it when in full beauty from the

Messrs. Low, and we have to thank Mr. Lee for his kindness in allowing

the drawing to be made. It is to be hoped that collectors may find more

of it in its native country, although we believe it to be very rare,

and, like many other recent discoveries to be probably a natural hybrid

produced by insect fertilisation. We have no doubt that there are yet

many fine forms of _Phalænopsis_; and if we could but obtain the scarlet

one, which some years ago was reported to have been seen by a collector

who was not able to bring it home, what a grand acquisition that would

be!

_Phalænopsis Stuartiana nobilis_ resembles _P. Schilleriana_ in the

young growth, its newly developed leaves being of the same shape and

colour and similarly spotted, but the older leaves assume more of the

character of _P. amabilis_; while the flowers, instead of being

mauve-coloured, are pure white, with the inferior halves of the lateral

sepals yellow and boldly spotted with cinnamon-red, as also is a portion

of the lip, the side lobes of which bear smaller and more closely set

spots. We have little doubt that this plant is a wild hybrid between _P.

Schilleriana_ and _P. amabilis_, as though the young leaves come

spotted, they afterwards change to the colour of those of _P. amabilis_,

as already described.

This plant requires the same treatment as _P. Schilleriana_, and is best

grown among sphagnum moss in baskets suspended from the roof, care being

taken to give it a good supply of water during the growing season. It

should have the heat of the East India house, and should at all times be

kept moist at the roots, for if allowed to become dry, it will loose its

lower leaves. If the plants are in a healthy and free-growing condition,

flowering does not injure them; but, if at all sickly, they should not

be allowed to blossom until they regain strength and vigour, as they are

naturally free-flowering plants, and under such circumstances might

bloom themselves to death. The moss about their roots must be sweet and

in a living state; when it becomes decayed it should be removed, the

roots washed, and the plant replaced in clean live moss with fresh free

drainage, so that the water, of which a considerable quantity is

required, may never become stagnant. Shading is an important element in

the successful cultivation of these plants; therefore the sun, when at

its full power in summer, must never be allowed to shine upon them, but

in winter a little sun-heat is beneficial, and they then require all the

light which it is possible to give them. Neither drip, nor water in any

other form, must be suffered to reach the hearts of the plants, as it

causes them to rot.

Insects are troublesome at times. The thrips, if allowed to multiply,

will greatly disfigure the plants, causing damage by depriving them of

the juices which should go to sustain their vigour. When free from such

pests, and in a healthy condition, the leaves of the Phalænopsids have a

pleasing appearance; and, if they are well looked after, it will not be

difficult to keep them clean, the more especially as being of large

size, they can be readily operated upon.

[Illustration: PL. 40.

ODONTGLOSSUM KRAMERII.]

ODONTOGLOSSUM KRAMERI.

[Plate 40.]

Native of Costa Rica.

Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ nearly orbicular, much compressed, ancipitous

or sharply two-edged, one and a-half inch in diameter, pale green.

_Leaves_ solitary, oblong-lanceolate, acute, keeled, six to eight

inches long, one and a-half to two inches broad, light green, with a

smooth even surface. _Scapes_ radical, four to six inches long,

shorter than the leaves, three to five flowered, drooping or

ascending, flexuous, pale green, with small appressed bracts and

longish peduncles. _Flowers_ one and a-half inch or more across, and

delicately coloured; _sepals_ oblong acute, rosy lilac with a white

margin; _petals_ about equalling the sepals in size, and similar to

them in form and colour; _lip_ with a short stout neck, deeply

hollowed in front, with two erect calli, the lateral lobes semi-ovate,

narrow, deflexed, the much larger middle lobe three-fourths of an inch

broad, roundish reniform, emarginate, bearing at the base a pair of

erect lamellæ, the unguis or neck yellow spotted with red, the front

lobe deep rosy lilac, marked near its base with two semi-circular

bands of white and purplish rose. _Column_ short, thick, white in

front.

Odontoglossum Krameri, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners’ Chronicle_,

1868, 98, with woodcut; _Hooker fil._, _Botanical Magazine_, t. 5778;

_Bateman_, _Monograph of Odontoglossum_, t. 24; _Williams_, _Orchid

Growers’ Manual_, 5 ed., 236; _Floral Magazine_, t. 406 (as O.

Kremeri.)

This is a most charming small-growing Orchid, with remarkably pretty

delicately coloured flowers. It is at the present time very rare in

collections, and, in fact, had become almost lost to cultivation, but

fortunately during the last year a small number of plants was imported

into this country and distributed. Our drawing was made from a plant

which formed part of this importation, and which produced its chastely

coloured blossoms in the Victoria Nursery. Many years ago we remember to

have seen a fine lot imported by the late George Ure Skinner, Esq., but

since then it has until last year disappeared from our notice. We are,

however, glad to see it again making its appearance in our

Orchid-houses; for, as will be seen by reference to our illustration, it

is a plant of a most distinct and pleasing character, and will be a real

acquisition to the group of Odontoglots, of which numerous highly

popular species are at present in cultivation.

_Odontoglossum Krameri_ is a plant of compact-growing habit, with small

flattened light green pseudobulbs, each producing from the top a

solitary leaf of a pale green colour. The plant generally attains about

ten inches in height. The flower spikes or peduncles are freely produced

from the base of the pseudobulbs after they have completed their growth,

several flowers being produced on each peduncle. The sepals and petals

are of a rosy lilac colour, margined with white; the lip is also rosy

lilac, but of a darker shade, flushed with yellow and marked and spotted

with purple at the neck, and having two semi-circular bands of dark

purplish rose and white near the base. The plants continue in bloom for

several weeks.

We have found this species to thrive well in the Cattleya house, planted

in small pans or pots with good peat and sphagnum moss. It might

possibly do in a cooler structure, but we have as yet only cultivated it

in the Cattleya house, and this treatment has been found to suit it. It

requires to be kept moist during the growing season, but when at rest

should have only just sufficient water to keep it in a plump condition.

The plant possesses one great advantage—that of blooming during the

autumn months, when such flowers are so much in request. It has also

another good quality—that of occupying but a small space, so that any

cultivator who has a spare niche in his Orchid house can grow it without

any inconvenience.

Cattleya Trianæ.—R. B. Dodgson, Esq., of Blackburn, has kindly sent us a

wonderfully fine series of flowers of the different varieties of _C.

Trianæ_, including some of the grandest that have yet come under our

notice. Of two or three of these our Artist is preparing plates, which

will be issued in due course in the _Orchid Album_. The variety named

_C. Trianæ Dodgsoni_ bears most beautiful flowers, which are quite

distinct from all that we have previously seen, the sepals and petals

being large, and of a pure white, while the lip is of a rich magenta

colour, with the throat rich orange, white in the upper part. _C. Trianæ

Osmani_ is also a very fine variety, the flowers being rich in colour,

the sepals and petals rosy pink, and the lip large, of a bright magenta

colour; it is in fact altogether a wonderfully fine flower. There were

several other varieties sent, including one which we have selected as

the original _C. Trianæ_; this we shall first bring under the notice of

our readers, and the other two will follow.—B. S. W.

Mr. Dorman’s Orchids.—When visiting this grand collection last month

(March) we noticed the rare _Epidendrum Wallisii_ in flower. Mr.

Coningsby, the gardener, informed us that the flowers on this plant had

been open since November, and they still looked fresh. _Lælia flava_ was

also good. _Galeandra Devoniana_, a plant one seldom sees in bloom, was

quite at home here, flowering and growing luxuriantly. _Lycaste Skinneri

alba_, with its pure white flowers looked very charming; this was an

extra fine variety, with flowers as large as any we remember to have

seen. In addition to these there were many fine things in flower, which

space will not permit us to mention. Mr. Dorman’s Orchids are looking

remarkably well, and are well cared for, both employer and gardener

being enthusiastically fond of them.—H. W.

[Illustration: PL. 41.

ANGRÆCUM EBURNEUM.]

ANGRÆCUM EBURNEUM.

[Plate 41.]

Native of Madagascar and Bourbon.

Epiphytal. _Stem_ erect, leafy, producing roots from the lower part

and from between the bases of the lower leaves. _Leaves_ distichous,

ligulate, very oblique at the apex, coriaceous, of a shining green

colour, striated, about two inches broad, carinate below and

overlapping each other at the base. _Peduncles_ axillary, furnished

with dark sheathing scales, and bearing an erect spike of numerous

large flowers of peculiar form and appearance, all pointing in one

direction and placed alternately back to back in a distichous or

two-ranked manner. _Flowers_ of a thick fleshy texture, green, with a

broad conspicuous white lip; _sepals_ and _petals_ lanceolate, pale

green, the dorsal sepal and the petals reflexed, the lateral sepals

patent; _lip_ large, broadly cordate, cuspidate, ivory white, the

centre concave, and bearing a cleft acuminated ridge; _spur_ tapering,

considerably longer than and parallel with the dorsal sepal, dark

green. _Column_ short, thick, greenish white.

Angræcum eburneum, _Du Petit-Thouars_, _Orchidées des Iles Australes

d’Afrique_, t. 65; _Lindley_, _Botanical Register_, t. 1522; _Hooker_,

_Botanical Magazine_, t. 4761; _Paxton’s Magazine of Botany_, xvi.,

90, with woodcut; _Bateman_, _2nd Century of Orchidaceous Plants_, t.

111; _Gardeners’ Chronicle_, 1873, 216, fig. 46; _Williams_, _Orchid

Grower’s Manual_, 5 ed., 88, with woodcut.

Angræcum superbum, _Du Petit-Thouars_, _Orchidées_, tt. 62-4.

Limodorum eburneum, _Bory_, _Voyage_, i., 359; t. 19.

A grand Orchid which was first introduced to this country from

Madagascar by the Horticultural Society of London, through their

collector, Mr. Forbes, in the third decade of the present century, that

is, more than fifty years since. It is, without doubt, one of the finest

of the species, and when well grown forms a noble plant, its long spikes

of attractive flowers, in company with its bold and characteristic

foliage and its majestic habit of growth, imparting to it an aspect of

dignity which no one can fail to recognise. Indeed, the magnificent

appearance it has when placed on the central stage of the East India

house is quite sufficient to win for it the favour of Orchid fanciers.

Wherever space can be given to it, it should always be grown, as it

blooms during the winter months and continues in perfection for many

weeks longer than any other of its family that has come under our

notice. Our drawing was taken from a very fine specimen, producing three

well developed spikes, in the collection of D. B. Crawshay, Esq.,

Rosefield, Sevenoaks, Kent, who is a great lover of Orchids, and is

forming a nice collection of them.

_Angræcum eburneum_ is, as we have before noted, from Madagascar, and

consequently requires the heat of the East India house. It is of

comparatively easy cultivation. The strap-shaped leaves grow to about

eighteen inches in length, and are of a pleasant glossy, light green

colour; the flower spikes are produced from the leaf axils on each side

of the stem, and extend to the length of eighteen inches, bearing many

flowers of which the broad cordate lip is of a conspicuous ivory white.

The plants will sometimes produce as many as four spikes at one time.

The blooming period is in December, January, and February.

There is in cultivation another variety of _Angræcum eburneum_, called

_virens_, but is not nearly so handsome and effective a plant as the

type, its flowers being of a greenish white, but the spike has a

somewhat more graceful contour, and the foliage is of a dark green

colour, so that it also is worth cultivating where room can be found for

its accommodation.

The Angræcums form a very interesting genus in the great Orchid family;

and although amongst those that have bloomed in this country there are

not many that we consider to be worth growing as ornamental plants, yet

some, on the other hand, are very beautiful, and these we hope to be

able to figure in due course. There have been several new introductions

of late, and no doubt there are many yet to be acquired. We are glad to

notice that Sir Trevor Lawrence is getting up a collection of all the

best kinds, but it is found that some of them are difficult to obtain,

and they are none of them so readily imported alive as many other

Orchids are. They are mostly found growing on trees in their native

country, different species being met with on the same trees. It was very

interesting to hear the late Rev. W. Ellis talk of these plants, of

which many years ago he brought home living specimens of some of the

most beautiful of the species, such as _Angræcum sesquipedale_, _A.

Ellisii_, and others.

_Angræcum eburneum_ is best cultivated in a pot as it is a large growing

plant, and produces thick fleshy roots. We find sphagnum moss to suit it

well, but it must have good drainage as it requires a liberal supply of

water during the summer months, for if it be allowed to shrivel the

bottom leaves wither and decay; in the winter, on the other hand, it

should have merely sufficient to keep the moss damp and the plant in a

plump condition. It requires the same general treatment as the large

growing Vandas, such as _Vanda suavis_, _V. tricolor_, and others. The

plants are not subject to the attacks of insects, their thick fleshy

leaves appearing to have no attraction for these pests.

Cattleya Trianæ.—We have received from E. Wright, Esq., Gravelly Hill,

Birmingham, a very fine form of this splendid _Cattleya_; the flowers

were six inches in diameter, the sepals and petals broad and of a rosy

pink colour, the lip of a rich magenta and beautifully fringed, having

the throat bright orange colour and the upper part rose-pink. It is

altogether a desirable and charming flower. The varieties of this

species are very useful, as they bloom in winter, when there are but few

other Cattleyas in flower.—B. S. W.

[Illustration: PL. 42.

DENDROBIUM MACROPHYLLUM.]

DENDROBIUM SUPERBUM [MACROPHYLLUM].

[Plate 42.]

Native of the Philippine Islands.

Epiphytal. _Stems_ (pseudobulbs) stout, cylindrical, striated, the

nodes of the flowering ones marked by the persistent scarious

sheathing bases of the fallen leaves, drooping, and often attaining

considerable length. _Leaves_ alternate elliptic-oblong, acute or

obtuse, subcordate at the base, nervose, thin in texture, two-ribbed.

_Flowers_ very numerous, usually in pairs from the joints of the

stems, which form long floral wreaths; _sepals_ lanceolate, plane, the

lateral ones produced at the base, of a deep rich purplish magenta,

varying in intensity in different forms; _petals_ broadly

oblong-ovate, somewhat undulated, of the same colour as the sepals;

_lip_ pubescent, cordate-ovate, acuminate, convolute at the base, so

that with the extended front lobe it assumes something of the shape of

an oblique-mouthed funnel, the margin denticulate, the basal portion

of an intense sanguineous purple, appearing like two deep blotches;

the front lobe purplish magenta, marked with longitudinal ribs,

connected with finer transverse veins of a deeper purple, and having a

transverse three-lobed callosity. _Column_ short, included.

Dendrobium superbum, _Reichenbach fil._ _MSS._; _Id._, _Walpers’

Annales Botanices Systematicæ_, vi., 282; _Williams_, _Orchid Grower’s

Manual_, 5 ed., 180.

Dendrobium macrophyllum, _Lindley_, _Botanical Register_, 1839, misc.

46; 1844, misc. 62; _Id._ _Sertum Orchidaceum_, t. 35; _Pescatorea_,

t. 40; _Paxton’s Magazine of Botany_, viii., 97.

Dendrobium macranthum, _Hooker_, _Botanical Magazine_, t. 3970;

_Planchon_ in _Flore des Serres_, viii, t. 757.

This is a magnificent Orchid, especially in the case of its finer

varieties, whether superior on the score of size or colouration. It was

first bloomed by the Messrs. Loddiges in 1839, in their wonderful plant

emporium at Hackney, having been introduced by them from the Philippine

Islands. A grand variety called _giganteum_, having flowers of immense

size, is figured in Mr. R. Warner’s _Select Orchidaceous Plants_ (1

ser., t. 26); and in respect to colour, the form of which we now give an

illustration, is one of the richest and most effective we have yet seen.

The materials from which our figure was prepared were obligingly sent to

us by Mr. C. Penny, gardener to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, at

Sandringham. It will be at once seen that the specimen in question was a

well-grown example, and we understand that the plant yielded two

similarly well furnished wreaths, bearing as many as forty blossoms.

Besides this there are many other Orchids of superior merit to be seen

in the collection at Sandringham gardens, these plants, the magnates of

the vegetable world, being highly appreciated both by the Prince and the

Princess of Wales.

The Dendrobiums are among the most beautiful and charming of our Indian

Orchids, many of the species being of a most graceful habit of growth,

and by their brightly coloured flowers imparting a remarkably

picturesque character to our Orchid houses. Some of them, moreover, have

delicately fragrant blossoms. In very many cases they bloom most

profusely, and with their long pendent stems look well suspended from

the roof of the house. Our present subject belongs to this latter class,

and is one of the most showy and beautiful of the species.

_Dendrobium superbum_, which is more commonly known in gardens as

_Dendrobium macrophyllum_, is a deciduous plant, losing its foliage just

as it begins to blossom. It is a noble object when growing, producing

stems from two to three feet long, furnished along each side with

flowers growing in pairs; these flowers are four inches across, with

sepals and petals of a lively magenta-rose, and a lip similar in colour,

but with a purplish crimson throat. It blooms during February and March,

the individual blossoms lasting about a fortnight in beauty. It thrives

best when grown in a basket, and suspended from the roof. If hung up

when in blossom, amongst the foliage of the other plants, the flowers

are shown off to greater advantage, as it naturally blooms without

foliage. It grows well in the East India Orchid house, and requires a

good amount of heat and moisture during its growing season. After growth

is completed it will do well in the Cattleya house during the dormant

period, and when it begins to show its flower buds a little water may be

given to induce the buds to swell and develop fine flowers. When the

flowering season is over it may, if required, be placed in fresh

sphagnum moss. It is a free growing plant, and thrives best suspended

near the glass in the full light, but shaded from the burning sun. It

is, indeed, absolutely necessary to give it all the light possible; and,

in summer, a slight syringing when the house is closed will tend to keep

the red spider and thrips in check.

Dendrobium Hillii.—There is in the collection of R. Wyatt, Esq., Lake

House, Cheltenham, a very fine specimen of this cool Orchid, which has

been bearing numerous spikes of blossom, some of the spikes being as

much as twenty inches in length. The specimen was a most beautiful

object, with its long racemes of creamy white blossoms, which proceed

from the apices of its thick fleshy pseudobulbs; it has, moreover, dark

green foliage. This plant was growing in the conservatory, and had

continued in bloom for about two months, so that it is a most useful

subject for winter decoration. It is a very old Orchid, but is worth

cultivating, especially as it will grow in a conservatory or in any cool

house. There was also in the same collection a very fine variety of

_Cypripedium villosum_, one of the best we have seen, the flowers being

wonderfully bright in colour, and of large size. Of _Lycaste Skinneri_

there was a well-grown plant, with very fine flowers, the sepals and

petals being broad and pure white, and the front portion of the lip

bright magenta, with the throat white.

[Illustration: PL. 43.

ODONTOGLOSSUM ALEXANDRÆ FLAVEOLUM.]

ODONTOGLOSSUM ALEXANDRÆ FLAVEOLUM.

[Plate 43.]

Native of New Grenada.

Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ ovate, compressed, one or two leaved.

_Leaves_ elongate, oblong-lanceolate, acute, of a bright green colour.

_Scape_ radical, supporting a many-flowered raceme (or panicle) of

showy flowers, each subtended by a small ovate-oblong acute bract.

_Flowers_ large, differing from other known forms of the species by

their yellow colour, about three inches across; _sepals_

ovate-lanceolate, acute, slightly wavy at the edges, pale

sulphur-yellow; _petals_ ovate, much undulated at the margins and

irregularly toothed, of the same pale yellow as the sepals; _lip_

oblong, the apex truncately rounded and cuspidate, the margins

undulated and fimbriated, and the basal angles rounded and produced,

all of a bright yellow colour, marked near the centre with about three

conspicuous round reddish brown spots, and at the base with fine

radiating lines of the same colour, in front of which are two

divergent bars or crests. _Column_ arcuate, club-shaped, pale yellow

behind, dull brown on the inner face, and furnished with the usual

toothed wings at the edge.

Odontoglossum Alexandræ flaveolum, _supra_.

Odontoglossum crispum flaveolum, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners’

Chronicle_, N.S. xiii., 41, 232.

This very distinct variety is one which will become very useful in the

decoration of our cool Orchid houses, for as the white-flowered

varieties of _Odontoglossum Alexandræ_ and other species are now so

numerous, that now before us, being yellow, will produce a good

contrast, which we must have in order to make a pleasing display. Our

drawing was taken from a fine example in the collection of G. Hardy,

Esq., Pickering Lodge, Timperley, near Manchester. We may add that Mr.

Hardy’s is one of the largest and best collections in the North of

England, since he spares neither trouble nor expense in procuring the

best varieties that can be obtained. As a proof of this we may refer to

the recent Manchester Whitsuntide flower shows, where Orchids are one of

the prominent features, and where Mr. Hardy’s collection has frequently

taken high honours.

_Odontoglossum Alexandræ flaveolum_ is a compact free-growing plant,

like _O. Alexandræ_ itself, and produces fine drooping flower spikes

which we have seen bearing fifteen expanded bright creamy yellow

flowers, these continuing in beauty for several weeks. This variety is

all the more useful because of its blooming in the winter months when so

many of our white Odontoglots are also in flower. The plant requires the

same treatment as others of its class. It was found growing on the

branches of trees intermixed with _Odontoglossum Alexandræ_, and no

doubt, as is probably the case with others of the so-called new

varieties, it has originated by intercrossing with some allied species,

which may have been growing near to it, and has been flowering at the

same time. We hope shortly to give an illustration of the original or

typical form of _O. Alexandræ_.

The best material in which to grow the Odontoglots is fibrous peat; they

must have good drainage because they want plenty of water during the

growing season, in fact the material should always be kept moist. The

plants must never be over-potted, but just sufficient root room must be

permitted them to secure healthy progression; over-potting, indeed,

often becomes dangerous. We find that live sphagnum moss placed on the

top of the peat is a great help in their cultivation, as it holds water,

and there is always some degree of moisture arising from it; moreover,

when it is kept in a healthy growing state it has a very neat and

pleasing appearance.

Odontoglossums at Trentham.—The _régime_ adopted at Trentham for growing

Cool Orchids, such as Odontoglots, is to give them water most profusely,

the cold rain-water which falls from the roof being used summer and

winter, and to allow fresh air to circulate freely amongst them at all

times, night and day, except in very severe weather. The natural water

at Trentham, as does any other water containing lime, will, after a

time, kill the Sphagnum used for potting purposes, and this is most

inimical to the plants, which never thrive so well as when the Sphagnum

keeps fresh and in a growing state. In respect to the Sphagnum Moss used

for Orchid growing, it does not appear to be generally known that

amongst the different species the best for potting Odontoglots and

similar plants is a dense-growing compact kind, whose very compactness

gives it a sponge-like consistency, and enables it to suck up and retain

water freely. This is what the Odontoglots like.—T. M.

Odontoglossum Roezlii.—A fine example of this showy Orchid has reached

us from D. Todd, Esq., Eastwood Park, near Glasgow. The spike was a

particularly fine one, bearing well-developed flowers, of which the

sepals and petals were white, the lower part of the latter being of a

dark magenta, and the lip white, coloured with lines of crimson on the

disk. Mr. Todd grows these plants remarkably well, and deserves great

credit for his felicitous treatment of them, as few persons are so

successful in their cultivation. There is a very good collection of

Orchids forming at this place, Mr. Todd being an admirer of good kinds.

At the Glasgow exhibitions his fine collection forms one of the greatest

attractions of the show.—B. S. W.

[Illustration: PL. 44.

LÆLIA ANCEPS DAWSONII.]

LÆLIA ANCEPS DAWSONI.

[Plate 44.]

Native of Juquila in Mexico.

Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ oblong-ovate, four to five inches long,

compressed and two-edged, with prominent angles on the flattened sides

so as to render them tetraquetrous, clothed with large membranaceous

scales. _Leaves_ one or two from each pseudobulb, oblong-lanceolate

acute, coriaceous, smooth and glossy on the surface, of a rich deep

green colour. _Scape_ rising from between the leaves at the apex of

the pseudobulb, two to three feet long, ancipitous, clothed with

carinate bracts, and bearing about three large and charmingly

beautiful blossoms. _Flowers_ large, measuring about four and a-half

inches across; _sepals_ lanceolate, acuminate, white; _petals_ ovate,

acuminate, white; _lip_ prominent, three-lobed: the lateral lobes

convolute over the column, white at the margin, stained with rosy

purple exteriorly, and marked with numerous bright purple branched

lines within the closed portion, where there is also a yellow ridge

lined with purple which passes out into the base of the front lobe in

the form of three yellow crests; the front lobe oblong acute, recurved

at the tip, the base white, the rest of the lobe (about three-fourths

of its surface) of a deep rich magenta-purple, evenly but narrowly

bordered with white. _Column_ enclosed.

Lælia anceps Dawsoni, _Anderson_, in _Gardeners’ Chronicle_, 1868, 27;

_Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners’ Chronicle_, 1873, 254; _Warner_,

_Select Orchidaceous Plants_, 2 ser., t. 34; _Jennings_, _Orchids_, t.

6; _Floral Magazine_, t. 530; _Williams_, _Orchid Grower’s Manual_, 5

ed., 202.

Lælia anceps Dawsoniana, _Rand_, _Orchids_, 296.

This is one of the most chaste and beautiful Orchids of its class. The

type, _Lælia anceps_, has flowers of a rosy lilac and deep purple

colour, while the one before us is pure white with the exception of the

lip, which is of a rich sparkling purple, and makes a splendid contrast.

This variety was imported many years ago by the Messrs. Low & Co., of

Clapton. There have been several other white forms flowered lately, but

none to equal the one represented in our plate, the drawing of which was

taken from a very fine specimen bearing four spikes, growing in the rich

collection of R. B. Dodgson, Esq., of Blackburn; it was the finest plant

we have seen in bloom, and the production of so grand a specimen

reflects great credit on Mr. Osman, the Gardener, for his skill in

cultivation.

_Lælia anceps Dawsoni_ is, like the type form, of compact-growing habit.

The pseudobulbs are from four to six inches in height, and the foliage

of a light green colour. The flower spike is developed at the tip of the

pseudobulb after it has completed its growth, and attains to about two

feet in length, generally bearing two or three blossoms at the end; the

sepals and petals are pure white, of good form and substance, and the

lip is of a dark rosy purple edged with white, the disk orange coloured,

the lower part of the throat pale orange veined with crimson, and the

upper part white. It generally blooms in January and February, and

continues in perfection for two and three weeks.

This variety must be very rare in its native habitat, as we have

received importations on several occasions purporting to be this white

form, but after the plants have been grown on and flowered, they have

invariably proved to be the type with rosy-coloured flowers. This is

also the experience of other importers of Orchids.

The plant is best grown in a pot or basket suspended from the roof,

where it can obtain all the light possible, which induces it to grow

with greater vigour and to flower more freely. It thrives well in the

Cattleya house with a moderate supply of water in the growing season,

but when at rest less water will suffice. We have found good rough

fibrous peat to be the most advantageous material in which to grow it,

allowing ample drainage; and when fresh potting material is required the

operation of supplying it should be performed just as the plant begins

to grow, which is after the blooming season. Always bear in mind that

the plants must be kept free from insects.

Propagation is effected by dividing the plant just as it begins to break

into growth. In performing the operation two or three pseudobulbs should

be detached from the plant, having a leading bulb; when taken off at

this stage the plants soon become established.

Dendrobium Wardianum.—A fine variety of this grand Dendrobe comes from

D. Alroy Salamon, Esq., Clapham Park. The specimen has very large

flowers, four and a-half inches in diameter, and of great substance. The

sepals and petals are one and a-quarter inch broad, of a pure white,

heavily tipped with rich magenta; the lip is very large, and also

heavily blotched with magenta, the throat being rich orange with two

dark brown eye-like spots. These flowers were from an imported plant,

and we are curious to see whether it will produce equally fine flowers

from the home made growths. If so we shall hope to figure it at some

future time, as in the state in which it has just bloomed, it is

certainly one of the finest and best forms of this splendid species

which we have met with. It is also a free grower.—B. S. W.

Dendrobium Falconeri.—Mr. Priest, Gardener to the Marquis of Lothian,

has sent us some fine flowers of this favourite Dendrobe. He informs us

that the plant from which the flowers were taken has 150 blossoms upon

it. This must be a remarkably fine specimen, and well cultivated, to

produce flowers in such profusion.—H. W.

[Illustration: PL. 45.

CATTLEYA TRIANÆ.]

CATTLEYA TRIANÆ.

[Plate 45.]

Native of Colombia.

Epiphytal. _Stems_ oblong, club-shaped, furrowed, about a foot in

height, clothed with whitish membranaceous sheaths. _Leaves_ solitary,

coriaceous, ligulate-oblong, recurved at the tip, of a deep green

colour, six to eight inches long. _Scape_ two or three-flowered,

proceeding from a terminal oblong compressed brownish bract or sheath,

about two inches long. _Flowers_ large, variable in colour, from white

to a dilute delicate tint of rosy purple in the typical form, the lip

being of a rich magenta; _sepals_ three inches or more in length,

oblong-lanceolate, plane, of a delicate blush or pallid tint of rosy

purple; _petals_ of the same colour, rhombeo-ovate, retuse, crispulate

at the anterior edge; _lip_ convolute at the base, where it is of a

pale purplish mauve, the front lobe obovate, rounded and crimped in

the anterior part, where it is bilobed, wholly covered with

crimson-magenta, exceedingly rich and brilliant, the disk marked with

a broad rich orange-yellow bilobed blotch. _Column_ club-shaped,

bearing at the tip a pair of sickle-shaped wings.

Cattleya Trianæ, _Linden and Reichenbach fil._, in _Mohl and

Schlechtendal’s Botanische Zeitung_, xviii., 74 (1860); _Reichenbach

fil._, in _Walpers’ Annales Botanices Systematicæ_, vi., 315.