Chapter I: Part 1

THE
ORCHID ALBUM,

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

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

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

_THE COLOURED FIGURES BY JOHN NUGENT FITCH, F.L.S._

VOLUME III.

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

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

INDEX TO PLATES.

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

INDEX TO NOTES AND SYNONYMS.

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

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

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

Lælia elegans prasiata, _Reichenbach fil., in litteris_, 1863; _Id._
_Botanische Zeitung_, _October_, 1864; _Id._ _Gardeners’ Chronicle_,
N.S., xix., 11 (sub-variety).

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

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

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

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

The Manchester Whitsuntide Exhibition of 1883 was a great success. Over £2,000 was taken at the gates. We generally make a point of jotting down a few notes concerning this show, as its chief attraction consists of the Orchids, in which of course our readers are most interested. Although the show had lost several of its largest supporters, such as Mr. Percival, Mr. Hardy, and the late R. B. Dodgson, Esq., of Blackburn, there were others who exhibited in strong force. We will mention a few of the most noteworthy of the plants. O. Schneider, Esq., showed a very fine collection, including _Cattleya Mendelii_, a grand variety with sixteen flowers; also a splendid plant of _C. Mossiæ_, with over twenty beautiful flowers; and _Dendrobium Devonianum_, a splendid plant with its long stems bearing over two hundred flowers; in front of this was _Odontoglossum Pescatorei_, with fourteen spikes of its lovely white and spotted flowers; and a fine _Lælia purpurata_, with its rosy sepals and petals, and bright crimson-purple lip. Dr. Ainsworth exhibited some very fine specimens of _Dendrobium thyrsiflorum_, with fifteen of its beautiful spikes; the pure white _Phalænopsis amabilis_, a splendid mass with twelve spikes and a hundred flowers; a wonderful specimen of _Vanda suavis_, with twelve spikes; _Phalænopsis grandiflora_, with more than fifty flowers; and _Aërides Fieldingii_, a fine specimen with five spikes and six branches. Mrs. Leach, of Gorse Hall, Stalybridge, exhibited six good plants, among them was a fine _Cattleya Mossiæ_, with a splendid dark lip; also _Dendrobium nobile_, fine, and the beautiful _Odontoglossum Hallii_. There were some fine specimens exhibited from the collection of W. Leach, Esq., Fallowfield, among which was a wonderful plant of _Dendrobium Falconeri_, with two hundred flowers; next to this was the curious _Cypripedium caudatum_, with six spikes, also _Aërides crasssifolium_, and other good Orchids. Mr. Upjohn exhibited a wonderful _Vanda tricolor_, the finest-grown plant we have seen, with five spikes. Mr. Hodgkinson exhibited a very fine variety of _Vanda suavis_ with three spikes. Mr. James, of Norwood, Surrey, exhibited two fine collections, including a wonderful plant of _Dendrobium Paxtoni_; _Cattleya Mendelii_, with ten flowers; _Masdevallia Harryana_, a fine variety; a good plant of _Dendrobium Jamesianum_, with thirty-six flowers, and many other fine specimens. Mr. Cypher, of Cheltenham, also showed some good plants, among which we remarked a fine _Dendrobium Freemanii_, with one hundred flowers of a beautiful colour; _D. Devonianum_, with two hundred of its lovely blossoms; also some other good plants. Messrs. Ireland & Thomson, of Edinburgh, also exhibited a very fine collection of cut Orchids that was much admired.—B. S. W.

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

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

Coryanthes maculata punctata, _Lindley, Folia Orchidacea_, art.
_Coryanthes_, No. 2.; _Reichenbach fil._, in _Walpers’ Annales
Botanices Systematica_, vi., 598.

Coryanthes punctata, _Lindley, Botanical Register_, t. 1793.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dendrobium Farmerii aureum, _supra_.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lycaste Harrisoniæ eburnea, _Moore_, _supra_.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Odontoglossum Leeanum, _Reichenbach fil._, in _Gardeners’ Chronicle_,
N.S., xvii. 525; xix. 694.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pleione humilis tricolor, _Reichenbach fil. MS_.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dendrobium Draconis, _Reichenbach fil._, _Botanische Zeitung_, 1862,
214; _Id._, _Gardeners’ Chronicle_, N.S., xix., 598.

Dendrobium eburneum, _Parish MS._; _Bateman_, in _Botanical Magazine_,
t. 5459; _Id._, _Second Century of Orchidaceous Plants_, t. 166;
_André_, _Revue Horticole_, 1883, 132, with coloured plate.

Some confusion in reference to the name of this handsome Dendrobe has arisen in gardens where it has for about twenty years been known as _Dendrobium eburneum_. This name, a MS. one of the Rev. C. P. S. Parish, was attached to it in the _Botanical Magazine_ for 1864, and by mistake attributed to Professor Reichenbach, who had published the name _D. Draconis_ for the same plant in the _Botanische Zeitung_ for 1862. The name _Draconis_, of course, takes precedence.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oncidium Forbesii, _Hooker_, _Botanical Magazine_, t. 3705; _Lindley_,
_Folia Orchidacea_, art. _Oncidium_, No. 60; _Williams_, _Orchid
Grower’s Manual_, 5 ed., 254.

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

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

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

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

Mr. Bull’s Exhibition of Orchids.—We have been particularly pleased with this grand Exhibition. We thus see what the perseverance, courage, and enterprise of one man can do in bringing together a magnificent show of these gorgeous flowers for the gratification of the public—a show which enables them without any personal inconvenience to gaze upon and admire the wonderful floral products of distant lands. Indeed, even if the visitors to Mr. Bull’s exhibition had travelled to their native habitats, they could not have seen the plants under the same advantages, for many of them grow on high trees and rocks almost out of sight, and the different genera are nowhere to be found associated, except artificially, as Mr. Bull has them in his Orchid house. There in the month of June we saw some thousands of blossoms of different kinds of _Cattleya_, _Odontoglossum_, _Oncidium_, _Lælia_, _Vanda_, _Masdevallia_, _Anguloa_, _Epidendrum_, _Sobralia_, _Cypripedium_, _Aërides_, _Saccolabium_, _Dendrobium_, _Phajus_, _Cœlgyne_, _Brassia_, _Calanthe_, _Chysis_, _Cymbidium_, _Disa_, _Lycaste_, _Maxillaria_, _Phalænopsis_, _Sophronitis_, _Thunia_, and various other genera, groups of each kind being in many cases arranged in masses of different colours; the whole being intermixed with Ferns, Palms, and other fine foliaged plants, the combined effect was grand in the extreme—as those persons who know Orchids will readily imagine, while those who are not acquainted with their varied forms and lovely colours would not possibly be able to form any idea of the wonderful display of beauty produced by such an arrangement of such materials. We often see when there are Orchids at Flower Shows that the visitors flock around them, admiring their beauties of form and colour, but in the flower tent such a glorious and gorgeous effect as that produced by Mr. Bull’s display is never realized. We could say much more in respect to this Exhibition, but space will not permit.—B. S. W.

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

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

Masdevallia Harryana atrosanguinea, _Hort. Williams_.

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

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