Chapter III: Part 3

_Thunia Bensoniæ_ is a deciduous plant, losing its stems and foliage after it has finished its growth. It attains to a height of from eighteen inches to two feet, or sometimes more when the growths are strong. We have seen blooming plants eighteen inches in height. The flowers proceed from the top of the new stems at the time they are making their growth, and they continue blooming for some time. The sepals and petals are of a pale magenta colour, while the lip is much darker, of a rich purple, with a bronzy orange blotch. Sometimes the spikes produce as many as fifteen of these beautiful blossoms, which was the case with the plant from which our illustration was taken; they do not, however, all open at the same time, but follow in succession until the spike is exhausted.

The Thunias are all deciduous plants, and require different treatment from that given to evergreen Orchids. After their growth is completed, they require a season of rest, which must be given by putting them away in a dry part of the house. It is after they have finished their growth that their foliage begins to decay, and subsequently falls away. When in this dormant state they require just sufficient moisture to keep them from shrivelling. This treatment must be continued until March, when they will begin to show signs of growth; at that time they must be shaken out of the pots, the decayed roots cut off, and the plants re-potted, setting the bulbs one inch below the pot rim, and just into the soil, so that the young growths are not covered. We find rough fibrous peat and sphagnum moss suitable material for growing them in, and good drainage is indispensable, as the plants require a considerable amount of water when they are in a vigorous state, as their growth and flowering are both completed in about six months. Water should be sparingly applied until the stems are a few inches high, just sufficient being given to keep them moist until the roots are beginning to fill the pots; then a little manure water will benefit them, making them grow stronger and flower more freely.

They are of easy cultivation, and do not require deep pots, indeed pans from three to four inches deep will suit them, and they may be suspended from the roof, where they can get plenty of light. They will, however, thrive on tables if they receive all the light possible, and are shaded from the sun. We have also grown them on blocks, but grown in this way they require more frequent and copious supplies of water.

Thunias are readily propagated by taking off some of the old bulbs when the young growths are about ten inches in height, but only part of the old bulb should be removed or cut off, dividing it in pieces of about six inches in length, and placing these in sand. The growths proceed from the joints, and these make plants during the season; they must be potted in due course, and often bloom during their second year.

Odontoglossum coronarium miniatum.--We received in August last from the garden of Lord Rendlesham, M.P., Woodbridge, Suffolk, a fine inflorescence of this rare Odontoglot, which is seldom seen in flower. The spike bore twelve of its gay-looking yellow and brown flowers. In growth it resembles _O. coronarium_, only it is much smaller; the flowers also resemble those of that species, but they are, like the growth, considerably smaller. Many growers believe this to be the same as _O. brevifolium_, but the two plants are quite distinct, both in flower and in growth, besides which _O. brevifolium_ is much the freer flowerer of the two.--B. S. W.

ODONTOGLOSSUM PESCATOREI VEITCHIANUM.
[Plate 68.]
_Native of New Grenada._

Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ roundish or bluntly ovate, slightly-ribbed,
about an inch high, diphyllous. _Leaves_ strap-shaped or
lorate-oblong, narrowed both to the base and apex, six inches long, of
a deep green colour. _Peduncle_ springing from the base of the
pseudobulb, a foot in height in the only specimen which has yet
flowered, bearing a raceme of about half-a-dozen flowers rather
closely placed back to back at its upper end, with minute bracts at
the base of their pedicels. _Flowers_ two and a half inches across,
the most beautiful which have yet appeared amongst the forms of this
species; _sepals_ oblong acute, over an inch in length, pure white,
marked with two or three transverse curved bars of the richest
crimson-purple or wine-purple; _petals_ broadly ovate apiculate,
slightly wavy, white, more irregularly transversely blotched than the
sepals with the same rich purple colour; _lip_ undulated at the edge,
heart-shaped at the base, contracted in the middle, dilated and
cuspidate at the apex, white with a few purple spots round the basal
lobes, the disk including the contracted parts bright yellow,
furnished on each side with a flat lacerated appendage streaked with
red, having a pair of parallel plates between, and bearing a few deep
red spots. _Column_ with short lacerated wings.

Odontoglossum Pescatorei Veitchianum, _Reichenbach fil._, in
_Gardeners' Chronicle_, N.S., xvii., 588; _Moore_, _Florist and
Pomologist_, 1882, 76.

There is no doubt that _Odontoglossum Pescatorei_ is one of the most beautiful species of this extensive and exceedingly beautiful genus of Orchids. Its flowers borne in fine branching panicles, are most pleasing in their form and character, and of a chaste and lovely whiteness, besides which the plant is one of the most free-growing of the Odontoglots. There are in our collections many forms of this species, and most of them are well worthy of cultivation, the flowers being for the most part good in shape and of a pure white, which is a colour generally sought after by those who have a keen taste for floral beauty. A hundred of these gems can be cultivated in a small space, and they can now be purchased at so cheap a rate that they are within reach of everyone who can afford to erect a small house; and being really cool Orchids they require but little fire heat at any time, and none whatever during the summer months.

The variety, _Veitchianum_, which we now introduce to our readers, bears most charmingly and wonderfully spotted flowers, as will be seen from the accompanying plate. It bloomed last spring for the first time in the fine collection of Orchids belonging to Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, of Chelsea, who imported it with many thousands of plants referrible to this specific type, and amongst them many hundreds of good kinds have been flowered, but none approaching in richness of hue or in beauty of marking, to the one now before us. We hope the Messrs. Veitch may be fortunate enough to bloom more of the same, as cultivators will be glad to procure it for their collections. The plant in question has, we understand, now passed out of their hands into Baron J. H. Schroeder's collection at Staines.

_Odontoglossum Pescatorei Veitchianum_ has the same habit of growth as the type. The flowers on the specimen which bloomed last year, and was certificated both by the Royal Horticultural and Royal Botanic Societies, formed a close raceme, and were large and showy, the sepals and petals being white, heavily transversely blotched at the base with a lovely shade of crimson-purple, the lip being also white, and spotted around the base with the same colour, while the bright yellow disk was striately marked with crimson. This specimen bore several flowers on the spike, and we have no doubt that as the plant increases in strength the spikes will branch into panicles, as those of most of the plants of _O. Pescatorei_ are branching in habit. They are graceful in appearance, and of long duration, which renders them most useful for decorative purposes, the more so as even when cut and placed in water they keep fresh for a long time. The treatment these plants require is the same as that of _O. Alexandræ_ and the other cool-house Orchids.

The greatest pest in the cultivation of cool Orchids, and one which is consequently a great annoyance to cultivators, is a small black slug that takes up its home in the moss and about the plants, and which often eats many of the young flower spikes when they first appear. These should be sought after night and morning as it is at these periods they do their mischief. They seem to enjoy the temperature of the cool Orchid house. The method we adopt for catching them is to look the moss carefully over at once, when the spikes first appear, and be sure there are no slugs allowed to remain among it; then we place a wire round the pot, and suspend it from the roof, and in this manner we secure the flower spikes. This is done when they are young, which is the favourite time for these marauders to attack them. The plants are well worth this trouble, as after watching them for a length of time it is most annoying to find the flowers destroyed.

Odontoglossum Alexandræ.--We have received from H. J. Buchan, Esq., Wilton House, Southampton, a grand spike of a fine variety of this most variable Orchid. The flowers are large, and of fine form and substance; the sepals and petals are pure white, beautifully serrated; the lip is broad and distinctly coloured on the upper part. This is one of the best forms of _O. Alexandræ_ we have met with. Mr. Buchan has a good collection of cool Orchids, and has been growing them for many years.--B. S. W.

Odontoglossum Jenningsianum.--R. Smith, Esq., Brentham Park, Stirling, has sent us a splendid inflorescence of this novelty. The flowers are produced in a panicle, which is much branched, and bears numerous blossoms. This species somewhat resembles a spotted form of _O. Alexandræ_ in the markings of the flowers, but the form is more like that of _O. Andersonianum_.--B. S. W.

CATTLEYA ACLANDIÆ.
[Plate 69.]
_Native of Bahia._

Epiphytal. _Stems_ (pseudobulbs) clavate, slightly furrowed, jointed,
four to five inches long, sheathed at the joints with membranaceous
spathes. _Leaves_ terminal, two in number, elliptic, obtuse, thick and
fleshy in texture, dark green. _Scape_ terminal, bearing about two
flowers and issuing from between the leaves. _Flowers_ large, about
three inches across, and strikingly beautiful from the boldly
contrasted colours; _sepals_ and _petals_ nearly equal, somewhat
fleshy, obovate-lanceolate, yellowish green heavily and transversely
blotched and spotted with rich dark chocolate-purple, the markings
more distinctly coloured on the inner surface, but apparent though
less distinct on the back or exterior surface; _lip_ large, fully two
inches long, flat, panduriform, three-lobed, the lateral lobes pale
rose marked with transverse veins, small and not enclosing the column,
the front lobe one and a half inch across, broadly kidney-shaped,
emarginate, of a bright magenta colour, the disk marked by a yellow
line. _Column_ dark magenta, parallel with the lip, obovate, with two
wing-like margins.

Cattleya Aclandiæ, _Lindley_, _Botanical Register_, 1840, t. 48;
_Paxton's Magazine of Botany_ ix, 1; _Flore des Serres_, t. 674;
_Illustration Horticole_, t. 565; _Hooker_, _Botanical Magazine_, t.
5039; _Bateman_, _Second Century of Orchidaceous Plants_, t. 119;
_Williams_, _Orchid Grower's Manual_, 5 ed., 114.

The _Cattleya Aclandiæ_ though a small-growing epiphyte, is one of the most beautiful of the Cattleyas, notwithstanding that there are several others which are of dwarf habit and produce richly coloured flowers. The specimen we now figure is growing in the fine collection of Baron J. H. Schröder, The Dell, Staines, to whom we are indebted for the opportunity of having our drawing made. It is a highly-coloured and finely marked form, quite as good as any we remember to have seen. This species does not, however, vary so much as many other kinds.

_Cattleya Aclandiæ_ is an evergreen species of dwarf stature, growing about six inches in height, and blooming at different times of the year, previous to the completion of its new growths. It generally produces two or three flowers on a spike; the sepals and petals are greenish yellow, heavily blotched with chocolate-purple, while the lip is a bright magenta, distinctly veined, which gives it an unique appearance. When vigorous the plants frequently make a second growth, which also produces flowers, these lasting in perfection for several weeks.

We have found these plants do best grown in pans or baskets, in a compost of good fibrous peat and lumpy charcoal, and good drainage must be provided to ensure success. We have also seen them well cultivated on blocks of wood, but as they then require more attention as regards watering than when in pans or baskets, we prefer them grown in the latter way. An abundance of moisture should be provided for them during the growing season, when the plants will be throwing out their new roots. At this period close attention should be given in order to prevent the injuries that may occur from the attacks of insects on the young and tender roots, since these are frequently produced above the soil; even if the plants recover from such a check they are apt to get into a sickly condition, or to shrivel and dwindle away. _Cattleya Aclandiæ_ is not one of the easiest of Orchids to cultivate, and for this reason it requires extra attention to keep it in good condition. We have, however, seen many fine plants of this beautiful species where it has had the treatment suitable to it. We have found the Cattleya house to afford the best temperature in which to grow it. A position as near the glass as possible, with not too much shade, will be found to suit it best; though care should always be taken to prevent the burning sun from injuring the leaves, and to keep the bulbs in a plump state, for, if allowed to shrivel or get into bad condition, the plants might as well be thrown away, since they seldom recover. During the resting season, therefore, sufficient water should be given to keep the bulbs from shrinking.

Always bear in mind that cleanliness is one of the great secrets of successful Orchid-growing, and that this little gem, if allowed to become the prey of insects or to get dirty, will invariably fall into a bad state of health from which it will rarely emerge. These pests may be kept under if taken in time. Both thrips and scale will sometimes attack the young growth, but they should be thoroughly routed out and destroyed.

Oncidium Phalænopsis.--This lovely Orchid comes to us from E. Salt, Esq., of Ferniehurst, Shipley, near Leeds. It is now extremely rare, and is seldom seen in collections. Mr. Salt informs us that this same plant, last year, before it was divided, produced one spike with six flowers. It is a glorious Orchid, allied to _O. nubigenum_ and _O. cucullatum_; the flowers are, however, much larger than in either of these, and more beautifully coloured. The sepals and petals are cream coloured, barred, and spotted with purple; the lip is large, reniform, creamy white, spotted about the base with violet-crimson, the crest being golden yellow, and forming a striking contrast with the violet spotting which surrounds it. The species is a native of Peru.--B. S. W.

CYPRIPEDIUM FAIRRIEANUM.
[Plate 70.]
_Native of Assam._

Epiphytal, Acaulescent. _Leaves_ green, radical, leathery in texture,
distichous, loriform, obliquely apiculate, the base carinate and
equitant. _Scapes_ solitary in the axils, longer than the leaves,
green, pilose, terminating in a short sheathing woolly bract from
which the blossom emerges. _Flowers_ medium-sized, elegantly venose;
_dorsal sepal_ large, oblong-cordiform, ciliated, concave, the apex
recurved, blunt, greenish white flushed with carmine and beautifully
veined with bright crimson-purple; _lateral connate sepals_ united
into one small ovate obtuse sepal, which is whitish with streaks of
green and crimson-purple; _petals_ oblong-lanceolate, deflexed and
recurved "like the horn of a buffalo", hairy at the base, white
flushed with green, and having longitudinal stripes and a marginal
band of crimson-purple, the edge being undulated and ciliated; _lip_
prominent, brownish-green with faint purple reticulations. _Staminode_
orbicular-lunate, greenish white tinted with purple, downy, with a
downy proboscis between the horns of the crescent.

Cypripedium Fairrieanum, _Lindley_, _Gardeners' Chronicle_, 1857, 740;
_Hooker_, _Botanical Magazine_, t. 5024; _Van Houtte_, _Flore des
Serres_, t. 1244; _Bateman_, _Second Century of Orchidaceous plants_,
t. 140; _Reichenbach fil._, _Xenia Orchidacea_, t. 133; _Williams_,
_Orchid Grower's Manual_, 5 ed. 153.

The Cypripediums form a very large genus of Orchids, which is also one of the most useful for decorating our Orchid-houses or plant stoves, as well as for exhibition purposes. Nearly all the species continue long in flower and are of easy cultivation. The plant before us was first flowered by A. Fairrie, Esq., of Aigburth, Liverpool, in 1857, and was exhibited in London by him and named by Dr. Lindley in his honour. Since that time it has become exceedingly rare, and is now to be met with in but very few collections. As far as we are aware it has only been once imported, a circumstance much to be regretted, as it is one of the most distinct and lovely of the whole family. Our drawing was made by M. P. Stroobant from a well-grown plant in the fine collection of Dr. Baddaert, of Ghent, Belgium, who has one of the best collections of Orchids in that country.

_Cypripedium Fairrieanum_ is an evergreen dwarf-growing species, with light green leaves about three inches long. The flowers are produced singly on upright stalks. It blooms during the autumn months and continues in perfection for some considerable time.

This _Cypripedium_ is not so free in its growth as many others, although we have seen it very fine in years gone by, and we are of opinion that if imported plants could only be obtained, cultivators would be able to succeed with it as well as with any other. There is no doubt that on account of the plant being so rare, those who fortunately possess it are too anxious to increase it, and too frequently cut the plants into small pieces, which get into a bad condition and ultimately die. We have found the East India house to afford the best temperature in which to cultivate it, though we have grown it equally well at the warmest end of a Cattleya house. The material used was fibrous peat and charcoal. The pots should be filled three parts full of broken potsherds, a layer of sphagnum moss being placed on the top of the drainage material; and in potting the plant requires to be kept well elevated above the rim of the pot, so that the roots may not become sodden. Not having the thick fleshy pseudobulbs which some Orchids possess to support them, these plants require more attention as regards the application of moisture to the roots. Water should be given judiciously even when the plants are in vigorous growth, as, if too much is applied, the potting material becomes soddened and the plants get sickly. This species does not root so freely as many of the stronger growing Lady's Slippers and should be grown in a position where plenty of light is obtainable.

Cattleya aurea.--R. P. Percival, Esq., of Southport, has kindly sent us a glorious inflorescence of this splendid novelty, with four fully expanded flowers. This species resembles _C. gigas_ in its growth, while the flowers are somewhat akin to those of _C. Dowiana_, but the markings on the lip are much brighter, and the golden yellow is much more prevalent than in _C. Dowiana_; the front part of the lip is bright magenta, while the sepals and petals are not partly rose coloured as in _C. Dowiana_, but are entirely nankin-yellow. Baron Schröder, of Staines, has also sent us a spike of this great beauty, but the variety differs a little from the preceding.--H. W.

Cypripedium Parishii.--A. Paul, Esq., of Edinburgh, sends us a fine spike of this curious Orchid, bearing six flowers. He informs us that the plant produced four spikes of six blooms each. When flowered in this way, it makes a fine object during the dull time of the year. It requires the same treatment as other Cypripediums, and delights in a good supply of moisture during the growing season.--B. S. W.

ODONTOGLOSSUM MADRENSE.
[Plate 71.]
_Native of the Sierra Madre of Mexico._

Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ ligulate or narrowly-oblong, ancipital, three
inches or more in length, pale green. _Leaves_ lorate or
linear-lanceolate acute, nervose, keeled, usually two but sometimes
one only from the apex of each pseudobulb, sometimes with a leaf
sheathing the base. _Scapes_ lateral, twelve to eighteen inches long,
bearing an inclined raceme of from six to eight flowers from the axils
of brown membranaceous triangular acuminate bracts. _Flowers_
fragrant, white blotched with reddish purple, three and a half to four
inches in their vertical diameter, and somewhat less transversely;
_sepals_ lanceolate, acuminate, keeled behind, about two inches long,
white, with on oblong bilobed reddish purple blotch at the base;
_petals_ broader, oblong, apiculate, white, with a bilobed purple
blotch twice as long as that of the sepals and more distinctly
separate; _lip_ smaller than the sepals and petals, recurved, with a
short hollow claw, which bears two small retrorse lateral lobes,
having between them and in front two collateral pairs of retuse
bipapulose calli; the front lobe triangular or trowel-shaped,
cuspidate, with crispy margins, white with the disk and calli
orange-yellow. _Column_ short, greenish, wingless, hairy at the base.

Odontoglossum madrense, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners' Chronicle_,
N.S., ii. 804; viii, 102.

Odontoglossum maxillare, _Hooker fil._, _Botanical Magazine_, t.
6144--fide Reichenbach; not of _Lindley_.

Our present subject, _Odontoglossum madrense_, is not only pretty but distinct, and very different in its growth, as well as in its flowers, from most of the Odontoglots, as will be seen by the accompanying figure, taken from the best grown specimen of the kind we have yet met with, which is in the select collection belonging to R. Vanner, Esq., of Camden Wood, Chislehurst, who certainly succeeds admirably in the cultivation of this plant. The subject from which our illustration was prepared, has flowered for two years in succession in the same grand way, and we have no doubt that as the plant gets more fully established it will produce more and more flowers on the spike. It is a very free-growing plant, but we find that it does best in a warmer temperature than that in which most Odontoglots thrive. The temperature of the Cattleya house seems to suit it best, and it should be suspended from the roof, and grown in a shallow pan in a compost of peat and sphagnum moss. It requires a liberal supply of water during the growing season, and should not be kept too dry when at rest, sufficient water being given to keep the soil moist, and the bulbs plump. We have also grown this plant successfully in the warm end of the Odontoglossum house.

_Odontoglossum madrense_ is an evergreen plant, with upright pseudobulbs of a light green colour. The leaves are about six inches long. The flowers are produced on upright spikes which are produced from the sides of the bulbs after the plant has completed its growth; the sepals and petals are white with a large purplish brown blotch at the base of each; the lip is orange at the base, white in front. The plant blooms during the autumn months, and lasts for several weeks in perfection.

This is a plant that every Orchid-grower should possess, as it can be bought at a reasonable price, and does not take up much room. Propagation is effected by division, leaving two or three bulbs with the leading growth to each divided piece. We find the best time to perform this operation is just as the plant begins to start into growth. After division the young plants should be potted and kept in a shady place until they begin to grow, when more light should be given to them.

Mr. Lee's Orchids.--The collection of Orchids at Downside, Leatherhead, is fast becoming the most important in this country. East India Orchids are special favourites with Mr. Lee, and this section of the family is well represented. In the Phalænopsis house are to be found several grand plants; we particularly noticed some well-grown specimens of _Phalænopsis Schilleriana_; one plant of _P. amabilis_ was the largest we have ever seen in cultivation, having many growths, and showing several flower spikes; _P. Stuartiana_ was well represented, and seems quite at home here; _P. intermedia_, with its varieties _Portei_ and _Brymeriana_ were also in good form; as well as _P. violacea_, which was in flower. Mr. Lee is not content with having a few plants of this lovely class of Orchids, but possesses them by the hundred, so fond is he of them. The Vanda house also contains some marvellous examples of cultivation, _Vanda tricolor Warneri_ being well in bloom, also other varieties of the same species, together with _V. lamellata Boxallii_, &c. In the same house were some well grown plants of _Cattleya Walkeriana_, in flower, suspended from the roof. Amongst the Cattleyas was a fine variety of _Cattleya labiata_ in flower, the picture of health. The different kinds of _Aërides_ and _Saccolabium_ were looking equally well. In the Lycaste house, _Lycaste Skinneri amabile_, and _L. Skinneri alba_ were in flower, also a fine lot of _Cattleya marginata_, and of _Lælia præstans_, and _L. Dayana_; indeed we had never before seen such a grand display of those little gems. In the cool houses the different sorts of _Odontoglossum_ and _Masdevallia_ were represented by some magnificent plants, some of which were in flower. Mr. Lee is still building Orchid houses with a view to giving his plants more room. One house in particular took our fancy, but of this we hope to furnish some particulars at another time.--H. W.

MILTONIA REGNELLI PURPUREA.
[Plate 72.]
_Native of Brazil._

Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ ovate, obtuse, compressed, diphyllous.
_Leaves_ lorate, acute, narrowed to the base, pale green, about a foot
long. _Scapes_ bearing three or four large showy flowers, each with a
small bract at the base of its pedicel. _Flowers_ showy, larger than
in the type, being nearly three inches across; _sepals_ lanceolate,
about an inch and one-fourth in length, of a delicate shade of rosy
pink, paler almost white at the edges, and with a darker median line;
_petals_ oblong, somewhat broader than the sepals and similar in
colour; _lip_ flat, subpandurate, broad, one and a half inch across,
emarginate at the apex, cuneate at the base, of an intense
magenta-crimson, marked with indistinct reticulations of deeper
crimson; the disk white, and furnished with three small elevated
crests, of which the middle one is shorter. _Column_ deep crimson at
the base, whitish at the apex.

Miltonia Regnelli purpurea, _Hort. Veitch_; _Williams_, _Orchid
Grower's Manual_, 4 ed., 209; 5 ed., 224; _Floral Magazine_, t. 490.

The Miltonias form a small genus allied to _Odontoglossum_ and containing some beautiful species and varieties, most of which have been inmates of our stoves and Orchid houses for many years. We remember some of them as long as we have had the management of Orchids, which is now for forty years, but even before that time there were large specimens cultivated in some old-established gardens, such as those at Bothwell Castle, where may now be found many fine plants of _M. spectabilis_ and its variety, _Moreliana_, which have been grown by Mr. Turnbull, the gardener, for more than forty years. _M. Clowesii_ and _M. candida_ have been in cultivation for quite as long a period. We mention these facts to show to the present generation of Orchid-growers that they should not complain as they are apt to do, that these plants are difficult to cultivate. This is not the case, in witness whereof these grand old plants, which have been grown, as above stated, for so many years, without much care having been bestowed upon them, may be cited. In the collection above referred to, for example, they do not profess to cultivate Orchids specially, but grow them in the ordinary plant stoves. Surely the cultivators of the present day should have no difficulty in attaining the same degree of success. We have seen _M. spectabilis_ as much as three feet across, one mass of bloom, a sight never to be forgotten. We do hope that Miltonias will be more grown than they are at present, as they come into flower at a time when comparatively few Orchids are in bloom, and keep on flowering during the autumn months. They will be found useful for cutting purposes, as well as for our autumn exhibitions. What, for example, could be more lovely than the plant of _M. spectabilis_, shown by A. Paul, Esq., at the Edinburgh Exhibition, in September of the present year?

The variety we now illustrate is a most beautiful one, and differs considerably from the type. We are indebted to the kindness of Mr. B. Findlay, of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Manchester, for the opportunity of figuring this gem, which was imported by him. Mr. Findley is a great lover of Orchids, and has a nicely grown collection of them, amongst which flowering specimens may be seen at all times of the year. This, _Miltonia Regnelli purpurea_, is much richer in its colouring than the original species. It is evergreen, with light green pseudobulbs and foliage, which, together, reach to about ten inches or a foot in height. It produces its flower spikes from the sides of the pseudobulbs after they have completed their growth, which is during August or September. The sepals and petals are delicate rose colour, margined with white; the lip intense crimson-purple, with white crests.

This plant, we repeat, is of easy cultivation and blooms very freely, when grown in a mixture of rough fibrous peat and sphagnum moss, with good drainage. Our experience points to the coolest end of the East India house as the best position in which to grow it; but we have also found it to do well in the Cattleya house. It is necessary to bear in mind that the plant must be shaded from the burning sun, for it has thin leaves which are easily affected by the sun's rays; all the light possible should however be given. It will do well either in a pot or basket, and should not receive too much moisture at the roots, as Miltonias frequently suffer if too much water is given them. The soil must be kept freely moistened during the growing season, the supply of water being decreased when the season of rest approaches.

Odontoglossum grande.--C. Walker, Esq., Brettargh Holt, Westmoreland, sends us a grand spike of a fine variety of this, the king of Odontoglots. The spike bore six of its enormous flowers, and was much the finest we remember to have seen. Our artist has made a sketch of this spike, and we hope to publish it at some future time--H. W.

VANDA HOOKERIANA.
[Plate 73.]
_Native of Borneo._

Epiphytal. _Stems_ elongate, rigid, terete, pale green, producing
aërial roots from the joints, resembling in habit and character those
of its near ally, _Vanda teres_. _Leaves_ erect, terete, tapered to a
subulate mucronate point, channelled on the upper side, two and a half
to three inches long, of a pale green colour. _Peduncles_ from near
the top of the stem, opposite, and longer than the leaves, erect,
bearing a two to five-flowered raceme (two-flowered in the examples
bloomed in this country). _Flowers_ large, two and a half inches in
diameter, and extremely beautiful, white, heavily striped and venosely
dotted with deep rich magenta; _dorsal sepal_ obovate, cuneate, wavy,
projected forwards, white, tinted with rose; the _lateral sepals_
similar in form, but larger, apiculate, white; _petals_ spathulate
oblong, obtuse, undulately-crisped, standing right and left above the
column and lip, white, spotted with magenta; _lip_ with a pair of
large triangular entire auricles standing erect, one on each side the
column, of a deep purple colour, mottled with a paler hue, the front
portion expanding from a cuneate base into a very broad transverse
trifid limb, two inches broad, which is concave, the lower edge being
projected forwards, the lateral lobes oblong obtuse, the central one
shorter, bluntly ovate, crenate, undulate, white, the disk marked
longitudinally with bold rich magenta-purple lines, from which diverge
in the direction of the lateral lobes several parallel stripes of a
similar colour, the front part of these lobes, as well as the front
lobe itself, marked with dots of rich magenta-purple ranged in lines.
_Spur_ small, acute, with two blunt calli in front of its mouth.
_Column_ hairy below, white, tipped with purple.

Vanda Hookeriana, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Bonplandia_, iv., 324; _Id._
_Gardeners' Chronicle_, N.S., xviii., 488. _Moore_, _Florist and
Pomologist_, 1882, 155.

This lovely plant, which was unanimously awarded a First Class Certificate by the Floral Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society, when shown for the first time in this country in September last, appears to have been originally discovered by Lobb, at Labuan, being represented by No. 347 of his Collection; and from Lobb's specimen in the Hookerian Herbarium, it was named by Professor Reichenbach, in compliment to Sir William Jackson Hooker, and published amongst other Orchid notes and descriptions in the volume of the _Bonplandia_ issued in 1856; so that, despite some well-merited laudatory remarks, such as "_planta admirabilis inexspectatissima_," and "_plantam insignem spectabilem_," it has been long in finding its way to our Orchid collections, which it appears to have done in the summer of 1873, according to Reichenbach, who adds, "I believe all went direct to Sir N. de Rothschild, Bart., and the plants one afterwards saw at other places were all presents from Tring Park. Now, after nearly ten years, Mr. Hill, Sir N. de Rothschild's orchid grower, has succeeded in flowering the plant." It was also flowered about the same time by Mr. Ebbage, gardener to J. S. Bockett, Esq., Stamford Hill, from whose plant our plate was prepared. Our impression is, though we have not had an opportunity of making the comparison, that Sir N. de Rothschild's flowers were appreciably larger than those here delineated.

_Vanda Hookeriana_ is a very distinct looking plant, It has terete foliage, resembling that of a slender form of the _Vanda teres_, but having the tips of the leaves more acute. The flowers are produced on short spikes, which are thrown out from the stem. As far as we have seen, only two flowers have been produced on a single spike, but since as many as five flowers have been counted on the imported spikes, we have no doubt that with judicious attention and cultivation it may produce more. The fact that it does so in the wild state speaks well for its free-flowering qualities. The flowers of this species are white, richly spotted with rosy purple, and the lip is longitudinally and transversely marked with lines of the same colour.

_Vanda Hookeriana_ is a slender tall-growing plant, requiring an abundant supply of moisture during the growing season, after which it should be gradually dried off to predispose it to flower. A raft or block of wood will be found the best contrivance to grow it upon; this can either he plunged in a pot or hung up to the roof of the house, in a position where the plant may obtain plenty of sunlight and air. A little sphagnum moss about the roots will be found beneficial, since it will aid in keeping the young succulent points moist. While growing it should be placed in the East India house, and plenty of water should be given it. After flowering, a slight rest should be allowed, and after that water may again be given as soon as it shows signs of starting into growth.

This plant is subject to the attacks of scale and thrips, which should be disposed of by sponging and fumigation. Propagation is effected by cutting down the plants, care being taken to see that the shoots are furnished with roots. These cut portions should be put in pots, or placed on blocks or rafts, and kept in a shady position until established. After this operation has been performed, the old stem will throw out side shoots, which can again be detached when rooted should more stock be required.

EPIDENDRUM WALLISII.
[Plate 74.]
_Native of New Grenada._

Epiphytal. _Stems_ erect, three to four feet high, reed-like, as thick
as a raven's quill, leafy throughout, the sheaths, which nearly cover
the spaces between the leaves, rugose and spotted with
brownish-purple. _Leaves_ distichous, oblong-lanceolate, acute, about
five inches long, and an inch or rather more in breadth.
_Inflorescence_ racemose, the racemes many-flowered, with sheathing
scales at the base, and furnished above with triangular-ovate bracts
much shorter than the pedicels; the racemes are both terminal and
lateral on the stems, the lateral ones being placed opposite the
leaves. _Flowers_ numerous and showy, fully an inch and a half across,
picturesquely coloured, fragrant, with a pleasant smell of honey and
musk; _sepals_ and _petals_ ligulate-oblong, acute, deep golden
yellow, marked with rather small distant deep carmine-crimson spots;
_lip_ cuneately-flabellate, an inch broad, quadrifid, with a broad
sinus in front, and smaller lateral ones, white, radiately pencilled
with feathery lines of magenta-purple, which are minutely
tuberculated, the disk yellow, bearing three or five short crests.
_Column_ adnate, the anther-bed with a quadrifid limb.

Epidendrum Wallisii, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners' Chronicle_,
N.S., iv., 66; ix., 462.

We have here one of the comparatively few ornamental species of _Epidendrum_, but this, as has been truly remarked, is a real beauty--interesting, moreover, as representing a peculiar type of the genus, that has no pseudobulbs, but tall distichously-leafy stems, that bear both lateral and terminal racemes of flowers at the same time and on the same stems. _E. Wallisii_ appears to vary somewhat in its flowers; one of those bloomed by the Messrs. Veitch and Sons being recorded as producing flowers with unspotted yellow sepals and petals, and a lip with three orange-coloured keels, and dark purple veins with small spots and lines on a white ground.

This wonderful plant, which was first described in 1875 by Professor Reichenbach, is peculiar in having its racemes of flowers both terminal and lateral, on which account it will at once be seen it is of a very floriferous habit. Our plate was prepared from a plant in the grand collection belonging to Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., M.P., Burford Lodge, Dorking, where, under the care of Mr. Spyers, it seems to have grown remarkably well. We were, indeed, much surprised to find that it has attained to such large dimensions. The first plants that flowered in this country grew not more than from fifteen to eighteen inches high; and, according to Mr. Wallis's dried specimens, the plant in its native habitat is even dwarfer. Now we have the plant, in the case of Sir Trevor Lawrence's specimen, attaining several feet in height, and producing an immense quantity of flowers, thus showing how Orchids may be improved by good cultivation. The flowers of this plant are generally produced in October and November, and they last in perfection for a considerable time.

_Epidendrum Wallisii_ should be grown in the Cattleya house, and does best in a pot. We have found a mixture of peat and sphagnum to be the most fitting compost in which to pot it. The plant should be elevated well above the rim of the pot, and have a good supply of drainage. It delights in a liberal supply of water during the growing season; and when at rest should receive a less quantity, only just enough to keep the bulbs from shrivelling.

Vandas Flowering in a Small State.--It is generally thought that these Orchids only flower when they have attained considerable size, but such is not the case. At the present time may be seen in the Victoria Nurseries plants of _Vanda tricolor_ and its varieties, as also of _V. suavis_, in bloom, though only from fifteen to twenty-four inches high, having in some instances two spikes each. These are not cut-down plants, but young offshoots that have been taken from the bases of the old stools, and grown singly in pots. The secret of this is, that the growth is well matured, in consequence of too high a temperature not being maintained during the growing season, but plenty of light and air given to the plants. These are conditions which Vandas delight in, as is proved by the results.--B. S. W.

LÆLIA ANCEPS.
[Plate 75.]
_Native of Mexico._

Epiphytal. _Pseudobulbs_ narrowly ovate-oblong, compressed and
two-edged, with prominent angles on the flattened sides, thus
tetragonal, four to six inches long, clothed while young with large
membranous scales. _Leaves_ oblong-lanceolate, bluntish, two, or more
rarely one, from each pseudobulb, five to eight inches long, leathery
in texture, dark green. _Scape_ terminal on the pseudobulbs, erect,
often two feet long, terminating in a spike of three to five flowers,
jointed, clothed with carinate bracts, and two-edged or ancipital,
whence the name. _Flowers_ very large and attractive; _sepals_
lanceolate, acuminate, about three inches long, spreading, of a
charming delicate pinkish-rose; _petals_ ovate-acuminate, of the same
colour as the sepals; _lip_ three-lobed, the lateral lobes inflected
over the column, purplish-rose, paler on the lower side, yellow, and
striped with purple inside, the reflexed front edge deep
magenta-purple; middle lobe oblong-acute, recurved, rich deep velvety
magenta-purple, white towards the base, the disk within the base
yellow, traversed longitudinally by an elevated thickened ridge, which
terminates in front in three crests. _Column_ semi-cylindrical,
wingless.

Lælia anceps, _Lindley_, _Botanical Register_, t. 1751; _Hooker_,
_Botanical Magazine_, t. 3804; _Paxton_, _Magazine of Botany_, iv.,
73; _Williams_, _Orchid Grower's Manual_, 5 ed., 202.

Bletia anceps, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Walpers' Annales Botanices
Systematicæ_, vi., 418.

In the subject of our present plate we have one of the oldest inhabitants of our Orchid houses. It was introduced as far back as the year 1833, and is one of the most beautiful of the numerous Mexican _Orchideæ_. As a winter-flowering Orchid it stands unrivalled, coming as it does into flower in mid-winter, and retaining its beauty for a long period. It should be grown in quantity by every one on this account, for a more useful decorative plant it would be difficult to discover.

There are several varieties of this handsome species, which are very distinct from the type. Notably there is _Lælia anceps Dawsoni_, a white form, which was figured in this work at Plate 44. Then there are _L. anceps alba_, _L. anceps Hillii_, _L. anceps Barkerii_, and _L. anceps rosea_, a pretty rose-coloured form, differing considerably from the type. Our plate was prepared from a plant in the collection of D. B. Crawshay, Esq., Rosefield, Sevenoaks, who was kind enough to allow our artist to make a sketch of the plant.

_Lælia anceps_ is a dwarf-growing evergreen species, having oblong-ovate bulbs, from four to six inches in length, furnished with oblong-lanceolate leaves, which are produced from the apex of the bulb. The flower-spikes are erect, produced just as the young growth is completing itself. The sepals and petals are rosy lilac, the throat yellow, with dark purple markings, and the lip rich magenta.

This plant should be grown in the coolest end of the Cattleya house, in a position where it may obtain a plentiful supply of the sun's rays, and a liberal supply of air. If the cultivator could have partitioned off from the cool house a small division in which to grow the sun-loving Mexican Orchids, it would be advisable, as there are several kinds which delight in the same treatment as this gem, viz., _Lælia autumnalis_, _L. majalis_, _Odontoglossum citrosmum_, _Oncidium Barkerii_, _O. tigrinum_, and many others we could mention; in fact, the reason we so seldom see these plants grown as they should be, is that enough sun and air are not given to them.

_Lælia anceps_ delights in a copious supply of moisture when growing, and like other Orchids when at rest requires only just sufficient to prevent the bulbs from shrivelling. It should be grown in a pot or basket suspended from the roof, in a good airy position; the compost best suited to it is good fibrous peat, with the addition of a little moss. The plant is increased by division just as it starts into growth.

Cattleya labiata.--H. Gaskell, Esq., of Woolton Wood, Woolton, Liverpool, has been kind enough to send us one of the finest inflorescences of this old favourite we have ever seen. The spike carries five large flowers, the sepals and petals are magenta-rose colour, the lip rich crimson. This is one of the most useful Orchids for autumn-flowering, and we regret to find it has become extremely rare.--B. S. W.

MASDEVALLIA DAVISII.
[Plate 76.]
_Native of Peru._

Epiphytal. _Stems_ slender, densely cæspitose. _Leaves_ erect, dark
green, leathery in texture, evergreen, six to eight inches long,
narrowly ligulate-oblong, acute, carinate, narrowed downwards into the
shortish petiole, which is invested at the base by a pale green
sheath, an inch long, and having a shorter one at its base. _Scapes_
slender, longer than the leaves, sheathed at the base, and furnished
also with a sheathing oblong bract about their centre, and another
just below the flower. _Flowers_ nearly horizontal, golden yellow;
_sepals_ united into a sub-cylindraceous tube, half an inch long,
gibbous at the base, the dorsal one ovately-triangular, passing into
the filiform apex, which is three-fourths of an inch long, the lateral
ones broader and longer, connate to beyond the middle,
semi-oblong-ovate, broadest at the base, and suddenly acuminate near
the apex, the opening having a narrow sinus; _petals_ small,
dimidiate-oblong; _lip_ shorter than the petals, clawed, its limb
linear-oblong, obtuse, deep crimson, sunk in the base of the sepaline
tube, and there appearing like a small red eye at the bottom. _Column_
wingless, toothed at the apex.

Masdevallia Davisii, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners' Chronicle_,
N.S., ii., 710; _Id._ _Xenia Orchidaceæ_, iii., t. 3; _Hooker fil._,
_Botanical Magazine_, t. 6190.

New Masdevallias are being introduced to cultivation every year, but it is seldom that we get such a distinct and beautiful species as the subject of our plate, brought under our notice. This little gem is distinct from the other members of this ever-increasing genus both in regard to form and colour, and should be sought for and added to every collection where Masdevallias are grown. Our figure was taken from a plant belonging to W. Lee, Esq., Downside, Leatherhead, in whose collection these singular plants are well cared for, and at the time of our visit were looking remarkably well.

_Masdevallia Davisii_ was discovered in 1874, by Mr. W. Davis, when travelling in Peru, at a considerable elevation, and was sent home by him to the Messrs. Veitch and Sons, of Chelsea, who distributed the plant. The flowers are produced singly on the erect peduncles, which proceed from the base of the leaf-bulb, and are generally produced in October and November, lasting several weeks in perfection. The colour is a bright chrome yellow, which from its distinctness contrasts well with any other kinds of Masdevallias that may chance to be in flower at the same time.

_Masdevallia Davisii_ requires the same treatment as that recommended for _M. Harryana coerulescens_, under Plate 24, and is propagated in the same way.

The Effect of Fog on Orchids.--It is astonishing to notice the effects upon Orchids of this the most disagreeable of all natural phenomena. The most vexing part of the matter is, that as regards the culture of Orchids we are unable to cope with it. Extremes of heat and cold, high winds, and hailstorms, heavy falls of snow and rain--all these we are in a great measure able to prevent from doing any harm to our plants; but the fog demon, however careful we may be, outdoes us. We may keep our doors closed, pull down the blinds, shut up the ventilators, but still he is upon us, entering by the laps of the glass, or through the crevices of the framework of the house. Nearly all Orchids which happen to be either in flower or bud at the time a fog comes on, fall a prey to its destructive powers. We have seen hundreds of buds of _Phalænopsis_, flowers and buds of _Calanthe_, and the inflorescences of _Cattleyas_, and other Orchids, turn yellow, and the flowers drop off in a very few hours. All this is extremely vexing, especially if after having watched some favourite plant, perhaps for years, just as it is showing flowers for the first time, we see them thus come to an untimely end. It is fortunate that some of the Orchid flowers are able to withstand its effects. Of course, our brother cultivators in the country have not so much to fear as those have who are located in the immediate neighbourhood of the metropolis and other large cities, and we are inclined to envy them their purer surroundings at this trying season of the year--H. W.

VANDA TRICOLOR.
[Plate 77.]
_Native of Java._

Epiphytal. _Stems_ tall, erect, leafy, producing stout aërial roots.
_Leaves_ distichous, broadly lorate, channelled, longer than the
inflorescence, overlapping at the base, obliquely bilobed and somewhat
erose at the apex. _Racemes_ few-flowered. _Flowers_ handsome,
sweet-scented, roundish in outline, but longer than broad, their depth
being about two and a half inches, beautifully spotted, the pedicels
white, striately furrowed; _sepals_ oblong-obovate obtuse, the edges
rolled back, unguiculate, fully an inch long, coriaceous, pale creamy
yellow, with a narrow marginal band of delicate rosy pink, spotted
throughout, except at the edge, with deep rich brownish-red, white at
the back; _petals_ similar in size, form, and colouring, but with the
pink edge less distinct, and the spots somewhat fewer in number, and
inclined to coalesce into stripes; _lip_ of about equal length,
three-lobed, with a pair of erect rounded colourless lobes, standing
one on each side the short blunt compressed white spur, and a convex
cuneate deeply emarginate middle-lobe, which has three ridges
extending from the disk to the front, two of which run out quite to
the apex, and two white ridges at the mouth of the spur behind the
disk; the colour is a bright rosy magenta, paler at the tip, the disk
marked with about five white lines, of which the three central ones
are longest. _Column_ free, short, thick, white.

Vanda tricolor, _Lindley_, _Botanical Register_, 1847, _in note under_
t. 59; _Id._ _Paxton's Flower Garden_, ii., t. 42; _Id._ _Folia
Orchidacea_, art. _Vanda_, No. 10; _Pescatorea_, t. 42; _Warner_,
_Select Orchidaceous Plants_, ii., 39 (var. Warnerii); _Van Houtte_,
_Flore des Serres_, t. 641; _Lemaire_, _Jardin Fleuriste_, t. 136.

Vanda suaveolens, _Blume_, _Rumphia_, iv., 49.

It is with great pleasure that we here introduce to our readers a genus of Orchids, which has been grown and exhibited for many years, and of which we have in former days seen some wonderful examples produced. What a contrast with those we meet with at the present time, when few really fine specimens are brought out by exhibitors! What is there more splendid or majestic than a _Vanda_ when grown into a large specimen? The Vandas, indeed, possess good qualities that few other Orchids can boast of, for they are stately in their growth, they have beautiful evergreen foliage, they are of graceful habit, and their showy flowers produced in fine spikes on either side of the plant are deliciously fragrant, and continue in perfection for six weeks or more. Sometimes a plant that has but one stem will produce three or four spikes of flower, and bloom twice in a year. We have had plants only twelve inches in height produce two flower spikes, and have bloomed many in an equally dwarf state, as we are glad to know that others have also done. We are, moreover, glad to notice that growers are now more generally successful in retaining the leaves down to the rim of the pot.

It has been said that Vandas are difficult to flower, but if the proper treatment is given, there is no difficulty about it. We have been growing and exhibiting these plants for nearly forty years, and can with confidence assert that they are the most useful Orchids we have met with for exhibition and decorative purposes. They are also invaluable for furnishing cut flowers to be used either in button-hole bouquets, or in any other convenient manner. The plant now figured, our sketch of which was taken from a small specimen at the Victoria Nurseries, Upper Holloway, we consider the true _Vanda tricolor_; and there are besides other specially fine forms, which in time we hope to illustrate.

_Vanda tricolor_ is an evergreen plant, with gracefully recurved foliage. It grows to the height of five or six feet, and produces "breaks" freely from the sides of the stem, generally at the base, so that in time the plants form large specimens, and when the growths get strong they all flower. We have seen as many as from ten to fifteen spikes on the same specimen. The sepals and petals are pale yellow spotted with reddish brown, and the lip is magenta, striped with white at the base. The plants bloom at different times of the year, and continue in perfection for about six weeks, perfuming the atmosphere of the house in which they are grown. These Vandas are natives of Java, and are of easy cultivation when they obtain suitable treatment. We have grown them in the same house for more than twenty years, and have never found any difficulty with them, but the plants have been constantly growing, improving, and blooming.