DENDROBIUM SUAVISSIMUM.[Plate 13.]Native of Burmah.

PL. 13.DENDROBIUM SUAVISSIMUM.

Epiphytal.Stems(or pseudobulbs) about a foot long, cuneately-fusiform, tapering below into a longish stalk-like base, bluntly angulate, bearing one or two pairs of leaves at the top, and invested below with close ovate membranaceous bracts.Leavessomewhat coriaceous, oblong-ligulate, cuneate at the base and acute at the apex.Flower-spikesten to twelve inches long, bracteate at the base, terminal or nearly terminal, produced freely on the two-year-old stems.Flowerslarge, showy, numerous, of a brilliant yellow;sepalsligulate acute, bright golden yellow;petalsbroader, cuneately-oblong, obtusely-acute, of the same colour as the sepals;lip(labellum) deep bright yellow, marked on the disk with a broad curved band of rich dark sanguineous purple, almost black, cucullate, cuneate-oblong at the base, where it is folded over the column, roundish and emarginate in front, undulate and ciliolate at the margin, densely asperulous with erect acute papillæ forming a close crispy covering over the surface.Dendrobium suavissimum,Reichenbach fil., inGardeners’ Chronicle,N.S., i. 406; v. 756.

Dendrobium suavissimum,Reichenbach fil., inGardeners’ Chronicle,N.S., i. 406; v. 756.

This fine Dendrobe, of which Reichenbach remarks:—“I believe it is one of the bestDendrobiaever imported,” was introduced in 1873 by Mr. Low, of Clapton, as recorded in theGardeners’ Chroniclefor 1874 (N.S., i. 406), where it was first described. It is again referred to in the same publication in 1876 (N.S., v. 756), where the German Professor remarks:—“The species stands indeed, as has been stated before, close toDendrobium chrysotoxum. The flowers are smaller, the fringe is made by much shorter papillæ, the chin is shorter, the petals are narrower, the lip does not expand to an open mass, but its lateral parts keep bent over the base, thus forming a cucullate body so as to allow the beautiful dark blackish spot to be seen, and which contrasts so well with the deep yellow of the flower. There are also a few blackish streaks on each side of the base of the lip.”

Dendrobium suavissimumis one of the most beautiful species of the yellow-flowered section of this vast genus, and one that is much admired and sought after by Orchid growers. The accompanying plate is a good representation of the plant, and from this it will be seen that it is one of the most attractive of summer-flowering Orchids. Our sketch was taken from a specimen exhibited by us during the present year, at the Royal Botanic Society’s Garden in the Regent’s Park.

Formerly this was a very rare plant, but within the last few years it has been sent home in considerable quantities by collectors, and it has in consequence becomecomparatively cheap. In growth it resemblesDendrobium chrysotoxum, but the flowers are much more showy; inD. chrysotoxumthey are wholly yellow, whereas in this species there is a large sanguineous purple blotch on the lip, forming a striking contrast to the rich golden yellow of the sepals and petals; in addition to this they are sweet-scented. The plant is of free-flowering habit, and when well-grown produces finely-developed flower-spikes. We have seen as many as three spikes proceeding from a single stem.

In habit of growthDendrobium suavissimumis very compact. The stems or pseudobulbs are about a foot in height, and furnished with one or two pairs of dark green leaves at the apex. The flower-spikes proceed from the tops of the two-year-old bulbs, and average from ten to twelve inches in length. The stems will sometimes produce spikes for several years in succession. The flowers last from two to three weeks in perfection if kept from damp.

Like other Dendrobiums, this species is found growing on the trunks and branches of trees in positions where it gets plenty of light and air. With us it thrives well grown in a basket suspended near the roof, so as to obtain all the light and air possible; the bulbs thus become well matured. The best material for growing it in is sound sweet fibrous peat, with a good supply of drainage. The plants should be watered liberally at the roots during the period of growth, which is after they have done blooming. The temperature that suits them best is that of the East India-house while they are making their growth; but when the growth is completed very little water should be given them until they begin to show their spikes in spring, when it may be increased, as it will assist them to produce stronger spikes. The plant is propagated by division; two or more old bulbs should be taken off with a young growth in front. Insects should be well looked after, and when found be speedily removed.

PL. 14.TRICHOPILIA SUAVIS ALBA.

Epiphytal,Pseudobulbsroundish-oblong or obcordate, thin,i.e., very much compressed, clustered, monophyllous.Leavesbroadly oblong, acute, leathery in texture, almost sessile, of a pale green colour.Scapesradical, two to four-flowered, pendent.Flowerslarge, showy, and fragrant, each emerging from the axil of a thin ovate bract.Sepalslinear-lanceolate, acute, somewhat undulated, spreading, and, as well as the similarly-formedpetals, of a pure white colour;liplarge, rolled up closely at the base, suddenly expanded upwards so as to become funnel-shaped, and then spread out into a large oblique limb, which is three-lobed, with the edges wavy and crisped, the middle lobe larger, slightly deflexed and emarginate or bilobed:Columnelongate, terete, bearing at the back of the anther a hood of three fimbriated lobes.Trichopilia suavis,Lindley, inPaxton’s Flower Garden, i. 44; 53, t. 11;Hooker,Botanical Magazine, t. 4654;Van Houtte,Flore des Serres, viii. 761;Lemaire,Jardin Fleuriste, iii. 277;Reichenbach fil., inWalpers’ Annales Botanices Systematicæ, iii. 553, et vi. 681.Var.ALBA: flowers pure white, the lip with a yellow blotch in the throat.Trichopilia suavis alba,Hort.

Trichopilia suavis,Lindley, inPaxton’s Flower Garden, i. 44; 53, t. 11;Hooker,Botanical Magazine, t. 4654;Van Houtte,Flore des Serres, viii. 761;Lemaire,Jardin Fleuriste, iii. 277;Reichenbach fil., inWalpers’ Annales Botanices Systematicæ, iii. 553, et vi. 681.

Var.ALBA: flowers pure white, the lip with a yellow blotch in the throat.

Trichopilia suavis alba,Hort.

This plant belongs to a small genus of Vandeous Orchids, some of the species of which are exceedingly pretty, and well worthy of a place in every collection. Dr. Lindley callsTrichopilia suavis“a delicious Orchid,” and says that “the flowers emit the most delicate odour of hawthorn.” The fragrant and richly spotted flowers make it a great favourite amongst growers, and no doubt it is one of the best and most showy of the species yet known. The varietyalba, of which we have now the pleasure of publishing an authentic figure, the first which has appeared, is new to cultivation, and is also extremely rare. Our plate was prepared from a specimen which flowered in the fine collection of Dr. G. Boddaert, of Ghent, Belgium, who kindly allowed us to have a drawing made from it.

Trichopilia suavis albawas imported, with the typicalT. suavis, and is a compact evergreen plant, with foliage attaining from six to ten inches in height, and three inches in width, and of a light green colour. The pendent flower-scapes are produced from the base of the bulbs, and bear two or three, or sometimes four, flowers, which thus hang over the sides of the pan or basket in which the plant is cultivated. When suspended from the roof of the house they thus have a verycharming appearance. The sepals and petals are pure white; the lip is white, with a pale yellow stain in the throat. The plant blossoms during May and June, and lasts about two weeks in perfection. We have flowered this variety during the present year, and it was very much admired by every one who saw it.

Trichopilia suavis albawas exhibited by J. S. Bockett, Esq., of Stamford Hill, at one of the meetings of the Royal Horticultural Society, and was awarded a First Class Certificate of Merit.

The Cattleya house is the best position for the plant, but it should be placed at the coolest end. It will flourish either in a basket or pot, in a compost of fibrous peat, with good drainage, but it must be well elevated above the rim, so that the flowers may hang down according to their natural habit. Propagation is effected by division of the plant after blooming; two or three bulbs should be severed from the original plant, or more if a larger specimen is desired.

Aërides odoratum majus.—This fine old Orchid was shown by Mrs. Arbuthnot at the Chislehurst Exhibition, on the 16th of July, and in this case it was a most wonderful example of good cultivation. The plant was one mass of its beautiful racemes of flowers, about fifty in number, many of them measuring fifteen inches in length. The flowers are white, tipped with pink, and are produced in long graceful spikes which overhang the foliage and produce a most charming effect. The perfume given off by this variety is very delightful, and was in this case most refreshing to those who passed by, many of whom wondered where the pleasant odour came from, as it was shown among the stove and greenhouse plants. This plant was two and a half feet in diameter, and three feet in height. Great credit is due to Mr. Mitchell, the gardener, for his skill in cultivating so fine a specimen. We often wonder why this plant is not more popular at our exhibitions, especially as it is easy to grow, taking very few years to make a good specimen, and being purchasable in small sizes for a few shillings. When not in bloom, it is, moreover, an attractive plant.—B. S. W.

PL. 15.VANDA PARISHII.

Epiphytal.Plantevergreen, dwarf.Stema span high, stout-growing, densely leafy.Leavesdistichous, broadly ligulate-obtuse, with an unequal bilobed apex, very stout and fleshy in texture.Scapestiff, erect, bearing a spike of several showy blossoms.Flowerslarge, distinct in character, prettily spotted;sepalsandpetalscuneate-oblong, acute, somewhat undulated, of a greenish-yellow colour, decorated with numerous round reddish-brown spots, white inside at the base;lipfurnished with linear-ligulate auricles at the base, and produced into a short gibbous spur, white, with a pair of orange-coloured stripes, the larger anterior part violaceous, rhomboid, gibbous below the apex, with a keel along the median line, and a violet-coloured conical callus at the base.Columnwhite, the caudicle ligulate, the glandule triangular.Vanda Parishii,Reichenbach fil., inGardeners’ Chronicle, 1870, 890.

Vanda Parishii,Reichenbach fil., inGardeners’ Chronicle, 1870, 890.

This glorious thing, as Professor Reichenbach calls it, was first discovered by the Rev. C. Parish in 1862, and then lost sight of, but was rediscovered in 1870, from which discovery, we presume, the first plants were obtained by Mr. S. Low, of the Clapton Nursery; since then we have received living plants of it on several occasions, and the plant now figured was from one of these importations. It is a small and distinct growingVanda, and is well worthy of a place in every collection on account of its compact habit of growth, which resembles that of aPhalænopsis. The Vandas are for the most part large growers, but, as will be seen from the accompanying figure,Vanda Parishiiis an exception to the general rule. Our plate was prepared from a plant which bloomed in the collection of the Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, M.P., of Birmingham—a gentleman who is making a grand collection of Orchids, and is a great admirer of them. The plant above referred to was a well-grown specimen, bearing a good spike of flowers.

The leaves are about eight inches in length by four inches in breadth, and of a lively green colour; and the flower-spike reaches from ten to twelve inches in length, the flowers being as large as those ofVanda giganteaandV. lissochiloides. The sepals and petals are greenish-yellow, freely spotted with reddish-brown; the base of the lip, which is keeled, is white, the front lobe violet-mauve, faintly margined with white. Altogether it is a very distinct species, and is very strongly scented, with a peculiar odour; it lasts for several weeks in bloom.

Vanda Parishiirequires about the same treatment as other Vandas, and should be grown in the East India-house, in sphagnum moss, with plenty of drainage. Itwould appear never to attain more than about a foot in height, being unusually short and stout in growth. It is best grown in a basket or pot suspended from the roof, and should be well shaded from the sun. It revels in a good supply of water during the growing period, which extends over summer and autumn; but in winter only just sufficient water should be given to keep the moss damp, for if allowed to become over-dry it will shrivel, having no pseudobulbs to support it. Thrips and scale are sometimes found on this plant; these should be diligently searched for and destroyed, as the leaves, being of a fleshy nature, would otherwise soon become disfigured by the onslaught of these pests.

Orchids at Arnot Hill.—We append a few notes on the Orchids at Arnot Hill, near Nottingham, the residence of C. G. Hill, Esq., a gentleman who is forming a fine collection of these plants, and one which we have no doubt will in time take a foremost rank, as Mr. Hill is specially fond of good Orchids, and intends to grow only those which are most worthy of cultivation. There is a fine range of houses built to suit the cool, the intermediate, and the East Indian kinds, and the arrangements are all that can be desired, having been made the chief study. Of the genusOdontoglossum, we found at the time of our visit, some few months since, there was a large collection, including some hundreds of plants ofO. AlexandræandO. Pescatorei, amongst which were many fine specimens. There was also a fine lot of Masdevallias; the Bull’s-blood variety ofM. Harryanawas in splendid condition, and there were many other fine varieties. We noticed a house full ofOncidium Gardnerimixed withO. prætextumandO. curtum, the plants bearing about fifty spikes, the greater part of which were in bloom, the flowers deliciously fragrant, and presenting a beautiful picture, as the bright yellow lip with its definite margin of brown shows off the flowers to great advantage. In the Cattleya house there were many fine plants which were rooting and growing well. We noticed a good specimen plant of the newCattleya Trianæ Russelliana, also of the rareC. exoniensis, of the beautifulC. Reineckiana, of the best variety ofC. labiatashowing flower-sheaths, and many others.Oncidium incurvumwas beautifully in bloom, and with its snow-white lip had a very pretty appearance.

In the next house we noticed three good plants ofDendrochilum filiformefinely in flower; one plant had fifty of its graceful spikes of yellow blossoms hanging among the foliage, and the other two plants were equally good.

In the adjoining house there were many fine East Indian Orchids. We noticed four plants of the rareAërides Schröderi, and a wonderful variety ofA. Lobbiiin full bloom, with a fine branching spike—one of the best we have seen, and one of which we hope at some future time to furnish our readers with a figure. There was a good collection of East Indian Orchids being got together, and from the appearance and health of the young stock they seemed likely to thrive well. We were glad to see this class of Orchids so well appreciated, as there can be no doubt that the East Indian kinds are among the richest and finest of the family, and they will flourish in a lower temperature than most people imagine.—B. S. W.

PL. 16.CATTELYA GUTTATA LEOPOLDII.

Epiphytal.Stems(or pseudobulbs) elongate, fusiform, many-jointed, two to two and a half feet in height, bearing a pair of leaves at the apex.Leavesbroadly-oblong obtuse, dark green, coriaceous.Scapeterminal, issuing from a short ovate acute ancipitous spathe developed between the leaves on the more vigorous stems, and bearing a many-flowered raceme, with small lance-shaped bracts.Flowersfleshy, in dense racemes, “sometimes as large as a man’s head;”sepalscuneate-oblong acute, the lateral ones subfalcate, of a light cinnamon or orange-tinted brown, spotted thickly with crimson;petalssimilar in form and colour, but rather broader and wavy;lipthree-lobed, the lateral lobes semi-ovate, acute in front, rolled over the column, the middle lobe cuneate-flabellate and bilobed, of a bright magenta colour, the disk tuberculate with lines of elevated papillae.Cattleya guttata Leopoldii,Linden and Reichenbach fil.,Pescatorea, t. 43.Cattleya Leopoldii,Hort. Verschaffelt;Lemaire,Illustration Horticole, ii. 69.Epidendrum elatius, var.,Reichenbach fil.,MSS.;Id., inWalpers’ Annales Botanices Systematicæ, vi. 319.

Cattleya guttata Leopoldii,Linden and Reichenbach fil.,Pescatorea, t. 43.

Cattleya Leopoldii,Hort. Verschaffelt;Lemaire,Illustration Horticole, ii. 69.

Epidendrum elatius, var.,Reichenbach fil.,MSS.;Id., inWalpers’ Annales Botanices Systematicæ, vi. 319.

This noble plant is remarkable for the large mass of richly-coloured flagrant blossoms which terminates the flower-scape, and is very much superior to the oldCattleya guttata, which was introduced to our collections some fifty years ago, and of which a fine figure was published in theTransactions of the Horticultural Society, ix. t. 8. The varietyLeopoldiidiffers from the type, in its much larger flowers, and in the rich olive or reddish-brown colour of its sepals and petals, which are freely spotted with dark crimson.C. guttata Leopoldiiis, moreover, of much more recent introduction than the type, having been imported to the gardens of Belgium by M. Ambroise Verschaffelt, through his collector, M. Devos, in 1850. It was by him dedicated to his Majesty the late King of the Belgians. As will be seen from our illustration, it is a very great improvement on the typical form. We are indebted to H. Shaw, Esq., of Buxton, for the opportunity of securing our figure, the plant having flowered in his choice and valuable collection during the month of August in the present year, producing a spike of eleven fine flowers, each measuring three inches in diameter. This must be regarded as a very valuable Orchid, since it blossoms during the late summer months, when flowers are comparatively scarce in our Orchid houses; while for exhibition purposes, again, it is of great value.

The plant now before us is a strong grower, likeCattleya guttata, and sometimes produces as many as thirty flowers in a spike. A plant bearing a spike of this noble character was exhibited some years ago by Mr. Page, then gardener to the lateW. Leaf, Esq., of Streatham, and was a most wonderful object. The stems grow from twenty to thirty inches in height, and are furnished at the apex with a pair of broad leathery leaves of a dark green colour. It produces its flowers from the top of the bulb after it has finished its growth. The sepals and petals are of a lively cinnamon-brown, spotted with rich deep crimson; while the lip is of a bright magenta, with the basal lobes of a paler rose colour. The blossoms last some two or three weeks in perfection.

Cattleya guttata Leopoldiirequires the same treatment as that recommended for other Cattleyas under Plates 3 and 6. Being a tall-growing plant, pot culture will be found to suit it best.

M. Massange’s Orchids.—Château de Baillonville, the country seat of Mons. D. Massange de Louvrex, is situated in the Ardennes, about 6 miles from Marche, and some 80 miles from Brussels. The collection of Orchids at the Château is very large, one of the finest in Belgium. In the house devoted to East Indian Orchids there are some grand specimens of Vandas, Aërides, and Saccolabiums. During a visit in July last, we noticed in bloom a very fine variety ofVanda tricolor planilabris, the flowers of which were very large, with fine broad sepals and petals, the markings being well defined and the colour bright. Here was also a grand plant ofV. Cathcartii, about four feet high, in perfect health. Cypripediums are, moreover, treated with great success in this house; indeed, we noticed some plants ofC. caudatumwith extraordinary growths upon them, one plant having leaves as much as eighteen inches long, and quite distinct in the character of its growth, being almost erect. In the Cattleya house were some fine examples ofCattleya labiata, the true autumn-flowering variety; alsoC. Warneriiin abundance, andC. Mendelii.Zygopetalum Gautieri, the best variety, with dark blue flowers, was also open.Cælogyne Massangeana, had a spike of twenty-three flowers; this species is a grand subject for treating as a basket plant, the spikes being of a drooping character; we have seen it bearing as many as twenty-seven flowers on a spike. There were, moreover, in the same house, some enormous plants ofCattleya Trianæ, marvels of cultivation, with good specimens ofLælia elegans,L. anceps,L. Perrinii alba,L. elegans prasiata,L. Stelzneriana,Cattleya Dowiana, &c., all in perfect health, and doing well. In the Odontoglossum houses there was not much in flower, but the plants were looking remarkably well and making enormous bulbs. Here we noticed the largest plant ofRestrepia antenniferawe have ever seen; the plant probably measured as much as eighteen inches across, and had some hundreds of leaves. Masdevallias were well represented, and there were some good varieties in flower: amongst others was a grand plant ofM. macrura, as well asM. HoutteanaandM. trochilus, forming good specimens. We saw a splendid specimen ofOdontoglossum citrosmum roseumwith nine flower-spikes, a marvel of good cultivation. Altogether, we believe, this is the most select collection of Orchids in Belgium, and great credit is due to Mr. Wilkie, the gardener, for the way in which he cultivates his plants; his employer, however, spares no expense in providing the appurtenances necessary to good cultivation.—H. Williams.

PL. 17.PESCATOREA KLABOCHORUM.

Epiphytal.Stemsnone or consisting of a short crown or growing point from which the leaves and stout fibrous roots proceed.Leavestufted, numerous, imbricated at the base, erect or spreading, lanceolate, acute, twelve to fifteen inches long, and about two inches wide, deep green above, paler beneath, thin but firm in texture.Flowerslarge and showy, measuring about three inches in diameter, the peduncles springing from the axils of the lower leaves;dorsal sepalobovate-oblong, acute, about an inch and a half long, white in the lower half, and of a velvety chocolate purple in the upper portion;lateral sepalsmore distinctly oblong, being less narrowed at the base, acute, and attached obliquely to the chin of the flower;petalsobovate-oblong, like the dorsal sepal, acute, white, deeply tipped with chocolate purple;lipdistinctly stalked, with a sharply incurved claw, normally trowel-shaped when spread out, three-lobed, the lateral lobes prolonged, acute, and incurved so as to meet the base of the column, the middle lobe obtusely cordate, sulcate, with the edge recurved so as to bring it to a narrow triangular outline; it is white, with the whole surface, except the margin, covered with short purple-tipped papillæ, or ‘styliform processes,’ ranged in combined lines; on thediskis a large semicircular lamellate ruff or frill, extending to the base, and consisting of numerous (about 20) erect folds or lamellæ, which are white below and of a deep rich purple along the edge of the folds, forming a series of stripes extending inwards to the base of the lip.Columnstoutish, angulate on both sides at the base, semiterete, dark purple, three-fourths of an inch long, projected over the basal ruff.Pecatorea Klabochorum,Reichenbach fil., inGardeners’ Chronicle,N.S.xi., 684; xii., 167;Paxton’s Flower Garden, re-issue, t. 21.Zygopetalum Klabochorum,Reichenbach fil., inGardeners’ Chronicle,N.S.xi., 684.

Pecatorea Klabochorum,Reichenbach fil., inGardeners’ Chronicle,N.S.xi., 684; xii., 167;Paxton’s Flower Garden, re-issue, t. 21.

Zygopetalum Klabochorum,Reichenbach fil., inGardeners’ Chronicle,N.S.xi., 684.

Until quite recently but few species ofPescatoreawere known in cultivation. Latterly, however, several new ones have been introduced into this country, and Orchid cultivators have now more numerous opportunities of admiring the beautiful plants which are referred to this genus.

Pescatorea Klabochorumwas introduced from Ecuador, by Franz Klaboch, a nephew of Herr Roezl, one of the most successful plant collectors of our time, and is named in commemoration of him and his surviving brother, also a traveller and collector, The first plants, brought home some four or five years since, were purchased by Messrs. James Veitch and Sons, of Chelsea, and were distributed by them; but since then it has been several times re-introduced, and is now to be found in numerous collections. Several varieties have been already noticed. It appears to have been first flowered in 1878 in England, by John Day, Esq., and in Scotlandby J. Gair, Esq., and again in 1879 in the noble collection of Sir Trevor Lawrence Bart., M.P. The drawing reproduced in our plate was prepared from a plant which flowered last August in our own collection, and represents a very fair variety. A fine variety, which bloomed with W. Cobb, Esq., of Silverdale Lodge, Sydenham, is figured in the revised edition ofPaxton’s Flower Garden.

The treatment which we find to suit this plant the best is to place it in the Cattleya-house at the cool end. It should be potted in a compost of peat and sphagnum moss, with a few lumps of charcoal added; and a liberal supply of water should be given during the growing season, this being gradually decreased as the winter approaches. The plants should be well elevated above the rim of the pot, so as to allow any superfluous water to drain away from the crown.

We do not find that noxious insects attack the species ofPescatoreain any great degree. The scale will sometimes take up its abode on the young growths, but when found this can easily be removed by the use of a brush or sponge and water.

We saw a fine lot of Pescatoreas and Bolleas in splendid condition at Falkirk in September last, in the collection of J. Gair, Esq. These plants are not so easy of cultivation as many Orchids, their treatment not being generally so well understood; but this was not the case in this instance, for they were perfect plants, well cultivated, and blooming freely. We noticed more especially a fine species named in honour of Mr. Gair, which bears the richest coloured flowers we have ever seen; of this we hope to give our readers an illustration when it flowers next year. These plants were grown at the end of a house where a mixed collection of Orchids, such as Cattleyas, Dendrobiums, Aërides, and Saccolabiums, were doing well. Being a large house, the plants could be treated according to their several requirements, whereas in a small house the varied collection would not be found to do so well.

Vanda cœrulea.—ThisVanda, whose flowers are of such a distinct and beautiful colour, is no doubt one of the finest Orchids in cultivation. We have had the pleasure of seeing the plant we are about to mention for two successive years blooming in great perfection in the collection of the Marquis of Lothian, at Newbattle, Dalkeith. The plant, which stands one foot in height, and is well furnished with good foliage, produced two spikes of its charming flowers, fourteen on each spike. The sepals and petals are of a delicate lavender blue colour, barred and veined with a deeper tint of the same; the lip is small, and of a dark violet colour. It was a most showy object, and the amount of bloom upon it was extraordinary, considering the small size of the plant. We have seen larger specimens, but never one that has pleased us so well. Great credit is due to Mr. Priest for producing such a plant, which is increasing in size, and in the number of its flowers every year. There Is a good collection of Orchids being formed at this place, where the houses are suitable for their cultivation, and the plants are well looked after and cared for.—B. S. W.

PL. 18.BURLINGTONIA CANDIDA.

Epiphytal.Pseudobulbselliptic-oblong, compressed, monophyllous.Leavesevergreen, broadish oblong, acute, somewhat channelled.Racemespendulous, issuing from the base of the pseudobulbs, three to five-flowered.Flowerstwo and a half inches long, white, semitransparent, with a delightful violet-like fragrance;sepalsprojected forwards in the plane of the lip, thedorsalone obovate-oblong, emarginate, theanteriorone bifid, linear-oblong, about half the length of the lip, curved sharply forwards, and channelled so as to closely invest the spur of the lip;petalsparallel with the sepals and lip, obovate, oblique, the base encircling the column, spreading at the apex;lipparallel with the column, with a channelled claw, dilated and bilobed in front, cuneate below, decorated in the centre with a yellow bar, the disk furnished with four or five yellowish lamellæ on each side, of which the anterior ones are longer, the spur short, enclosed in the anterior sepal.Columnsmooth, slender, clavate, with two fleshy teeth at the apex.Burlingtonia candida,Lindley,Botanical Register, t. 1927;Id.Paxton’s Flower Garden, i. 158;Rand’s Orchids, 179;Floral Magazine, t. 548.Rodriquezia candida,Bateman in litteris;Reichenbach fil., inWalpers’ Annales Botanices Systematicæ, vi., 695.

Burlingtonia candida,Lindley,Botanical Register, t. 1927;Id.Paxton’s Flower Garden, i. 158;Rand’s Orchids, 179;Floral Magazine, t. 548.

Rodriquezia candida,Bateman in litteris;Reichenbach fil., inWalpers’ Annales Botanices Systematicæ, vi., 695.

The genusBurlingtoniawas dedicated to the amiable and accomplished Countess of Burlington, and contains a few small-growing but very beautiful species, which come mostly from Brazil. The plant now under notice, which was the earliest introduction, and the type of the genus, was imported from Demerara, in British Guiana, so long since as 1834, by James Bateman, Esq., now a veteran in the study and cultivation of Orchids. It is consequently well-known to the growers and collectors of this class of plants.

As a subject for growing in a basket suspended from the roof, this species has few, if any, equals. When grown in this way, the pendent spikes of white flowers hanging over the sides of the basket produce a charming and distinct appearance.

The plant is compact-growing, and, like all the species ofBurlingtonia, is evergreen. The pendent flower-spikes are produced from the sides of the pseudobulbs, and each bear from four to six flowers, which are white, marked with yellow in the throat, and have a slight but pleasant odour of violets.

Burlingtonia candidashould be grown in the Cattleya-house, in a basket or pan, suspended from the roof. Sphagnum moss, with a good drainage composed of crocks, is the best material for its roots, and the bulbs should be well elevated above therim of the pan or basket. This plant delights in a plentiful supply of water at the roots—in fact, it should never be allowed to get dry, as it requires but little rest. It is propagated by division of the pseudobulbs.

Few insects attack this plant. The scale is the most frequent intruder, and this is easily removed by the use of a sponge and clean water.

Ferguslie House, Paisley.—We have been in the habit of visiting the gardens ofT. Coates, Esq., for many years past, and have always been surprised to see the Orchids grown by Mr. Thompson, the gardener who has charge of them. There is no house specially devoted to the cultivation of this class of plants, but they are grown in different houses intermixed with stove-flowering plants, foliage plants, and ferns, and in no instance have we seen East Indian Orchids grown to greater perfection. We have from time to time witnessed the progress of the specimens we are about to enumerate—in fact, we have seen them grown on from quite small plants purchased some ten or twelve years ago, and the size to which they have attained during this time, viz., up to the first week in September, 1881, will no doubt astonish some of our readers, and convince them it is not true that Orchids cannot be cultivated unless they have houses set apart for their especial benefit. In order to show the error of this conclusion, we will name a few of the Specimens that we saw growing on one side of a span-roofed house, with stove plants on the centre stage.Aërides suavissimum, grown from a small plant, is now a fine specimen three feet high, having four stems, and in perfect health, the foliage reaching down to the pot; it bore twenty spikes of its long racemes of flowers, many of them having thirty-seven flowers on a spike, and was one of the most beautiful objects that have come under our notice. There is also another plant produced from the same specimen, bearing twelve spikes of its lovely blossoms, which were in full beauty.A. Warneriiis a well-grown specimen, having several stems two to three feet in height, and this blooms freely every year.A. virens, is also a fine plant, with three stems three feet in height.A. affineis a wonderful specimen of good cultivation; it is generally of slow growth, but in this case it has not proved so.A. crispumagain, is well cultivated, having two stems nearly three feet high, and perfect, and there is also a second plant of the same, three feet in height.A. Fieldingiiis a fine specimen.Vanda tricolor, a well-furnished plant, andV. suavisfour feet high, with three stems, are both beautifully grown. A plant of the curious long-tailedAngræcum sesquipedale, from eighteen inches to two feet in height, has four stems, and is undoubtedly the best grown specimen we have seen.Phalænopsis Schilleriana, a good specimen, with seven of its beautifully-marked leaves, is growing suspended over the centre table. There are other choice Orchids, such asCypripediums,Cœlogynes, &c. We also noticed, grown in two other houses, intermixed with various plants, beautiful specimens ofLælia Turnerii,L. elegans,L. anceps,Cattleya Trianæ, and others. There are also well-grown examples ofCalanthe Masuca, ofDendrobium, and other good Orchids; but space will not admit of these being here enumerated.—B. S. W.

PL. 19.ANGULOA RUCKERII SANGUINEA.

Epiphytal.Pseudobulbslarge, ovate-oblong, four to six inches high, furrowed when mature.Leavesseveral, growing from the apex of the younger pseudobulbs, broadly lanceolate, acute, two to two and a half feet long and four to six inches broad, strongly ribbed and plaited.Flower-scapesradical, one-flowered, shorter than the leaves, clothed below with imbricated sheathing bracts.Flowerslarge, fleshy, nearly erect;sepalsroundish with an apiculus, strongly convex, conniving into a semi-globular shape, which with their nearly erect position gives them a somewhat tulip-like appearance, creamy yellow outside, and of a deep sanguineous red on the inner surface;petalssimilar in form and colour to the sepals;lipclawed, subconvolute, three-lobed, the lateral lobes broadish and obtuse, the middle portion hairy, funnel-shaped and two-lipped, the front lobe tridentate, and with the middle part crimson blotched and barred with white.Columnentire, creamy white, spotted with crimson.Anguloa Ruckerii sanguinea,LindleyinGardeners’ Chronicle, 1852, 271;Hooker,Botanical Magazine, t. 5384;Williams’ Orchid Growers’ Manual, ed. iv., 90; ed. v., 92.

Anguloa Ruckerii sanguinea,LindleyinGardeners’ Chronicle, 1852, 271;Hooker,Botanical Magazine, t. 5384;Williams’ Orchid Growers’ Manual, ed. iv., 90; ed. v., 92.

The subject of our present illustration is an exceedingly rare plant, and is met with in only a few collections. In its habit of growth and general appearance it resembles the typeAnguloa Ruckerii, but it is very distinct in colour, and is altogether a more desirable plant, the flowers being of a much richer colour—a deep rich blood-red spotted with a darker tint of the same—whereas in the originalA. Ruckeriithey are of a fine orange colour spotted with dark brown.

The growth of this plant is very majestic, producing as it does bulbs four to six inches high, and leaves from eighteen to thirty inches long, by four to six inches broad. The flowers, which proceed from the base of the pseudobulb, are erect, tulip-shaped, and of great substance and size, lasting as long as four weeks in perfection.A. Ruckerii sanguineais a very suitable plant for exhibition purposes on account of the distinct appearance produced by its massive flowers when intermixed with other Orchids.

The temperature best suited for this plant is that of the cool Orchid-house. We have found it succeed well in pots in a compost of good fibrous peat, with plenty of drainage. It requires a good season of rest, during which period the plant should be kept rather dry until it begins to show renewed signs of growth, when the supply of water may be increased. It is propagated by division of the pseudobulbs just before they start into growth. We are indebted for the opportunity offiguring this plant to Dr. Boddaert, of Ghent, Belgium, in whose collection it flowered last July.

A fine figure of the originalAnguloa Ruckeriiwill be found inWarner’s Select Orchidaceous Plants, 2nd series, t. 10; and it is also figured in theBotanical Register, 1846, t. 41; and inMoore’s Illustrations of Orchidaceous Plants, art. Auguloa, plate 3.

Cattleya Dowiana.—We have received a very beautiful flower of this grand Cattleya, by post, from R. Dodgson, Esq., of Blackburn, in whose fine collection the plant has been grown. Mr. Osman, the gardener, says, “we had three imported plants last year, and two of them are now in bloom.” We were pleased to hear this, asCattleya Dowianais considered a difficult plant to flower, though we have seen many plants blooming this season. There is no doubt that its cultivation is becoming better understood. The variety above referred to has a large lip of a most intense dark purple, striped and reticulated with golden yellow, in a very prominent manner. The sepals and petals are large, of good substance, of a bright nankeen colour, and produce a very pleasing and altogether distinct appearance. This is, undoubtedly, one of the most distinct and beautiful of all Cattleyas. There is a grand figure of this species in the 2nd series ofWarner’s Select Orchidaceous Plants, t. 27.—B. S. W.

Cypripedium Spicerianum.—We were pleased to receive last month a splendid bloom of this fine variety from J. S. Bockett, Esq., of Stamford Hill. There is no doubt that it is one of the most distinct species of the whole genus. The dorsal sepal is erect, curiously curved, pure white, of a wax-like texture, having a purple streak extending from the base to the apex; the linear-oblong petals are much crisped on the edge, and, like the other parts of the flower, are of a bronzy-green colour, the lip being darker, of a reddish-brown and glossy. It has been named in honour of H. Spicer, Esq., and was introduced from India some few years ago. We also received at the same time a fine form ofOdontoglossum Chestertoni, and a most distinctly spotted variety ofO. Alexandræ, the sepals and petals of which are white, spotted with reddish-crimson, and the lip white, with a large reddish-brown blotch on the lower portion.—B. S. W.

PL. 20.DENDROBIUM AINSWORTHII ROSEUM.[

Epiphytal.Stems(pseudobulbs) clustered, elongate, spreading, terete, stoutish above, tapering to the base, jointed, the surface furrowed between the joints.Leavesdistichous, linear-oblong, acute, three-fourths of an inch broad, sheathing the stems at the base, the sheaths remaining as a membranous investment.Pedunclesproceeding from the joints of the stem, slender, two to three-flowered, the pedicels with small ovate bracts at their base.Flowersshowy, white, with rich amaranth-crimson blotch, measuring about three inches across;sepalslanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, spreading, white, tinged with rose colour, as are the larger and broader oblong-ovatepetals;lip(labellum) broadly obovate, cucullate, the basal portion rolled in over the column, the anterior portion spread out into a broad concave heart-shaped front lobe, which is undulated at the margin, and nearly covered by a large rich amaranth-crimson blotch, feathered at the edge, and traversed by deeper crimson veins, the extreme margin being paler.Columnshort, enclosed by the basal portion of the lip.Dendrobium Ainsworthii,MooreinGardeners’ Chronicle(1874),N.S.i. 443, figs. 93, 94;Id.N.S.viii., 166, figs. 30, 31, 32;AndersoninGardeners’ Chronicle,N.S.vii., 751;Floral Magazine, 2 s. t. 196;Rand’s Orchids, 242;Williams’ Orchid Growers’ Manual, ed. v., 163.Var.ROSEUM; sepals and petals tinted with magenta rose; lip almost wholly covered by the large mulberry-crimson feathered blotch.Dendrobium Ainsworthiivar.ROSEUM,MooreinGardeners’ Chronicle(1877),N.S.vii., 655;Id.N.S.viii., 166;AndersoninGardeners’ Chronicle,N.S.vii., 750.

Dendrobium Ainsworthii,MooreinGardeners’ Chronicle(1874),N.S.i. 443, figs. 93, 94;Id.N.S.viii., 166, figs. 30, 31, 32;AndersoninGardeners’ Chronicle,N.S.vii., 751;Floral Magazine, 2 s. t. 196;Rand’s Orchids, 242;Williams’ Orchid Growers’ Manual, ed. v., 163.

Var.ROSEUM; sepals and petals tinted with magenta rose; lip almost wholly covered by the large mulberry-crimson feathered blotch.

Dendrobium Ainsworthiivar.ROSEUM,MooreinGardeners’ Chronicle(1877),N.S.vii., 655;Id.N.S.viii., 166;AndersoninGardeners’ Chronicle,N.S.vii., 750.

The beautifulDendrobium Ainsworthiiis the result of a cross betweenD. nobileandD. heterocarpum, and was raised by Mr. Mitchell, gardener to R. F. Ainsworth, Esq., M.D., Of Higher Broughton, Manchester, after whom it is named. In habit of growth and in general appearance the plant partakes mostly of the character ofD. nobile, while the flowers more closely resemble those ofD. heterocarpumin form, and have in a slight degree the delicious fragrance of those produced by that species. InD. Ainsworthiithe flowers have white sepals and petals, while the lip is marked by a dense blotch of a rich amaranth or mulberry-crimson. In theD. Ainsworthii roseumnow figured, the sepals and petals are of a bright rosy-magenta, and the lip is more fully covered with a richer coloured deep crimson blotch. This variety is extremely rare, and forms a charming contrast to the white blossoms of its sister hybrid. The flowers will be found very useful for cutting, as they last for a considerable time in water.

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