spicatum ; but R. alpina is that which reaches the highest 
elevation, as I have found it as high as 9000 feet on Tuen 
Tibba, immediately after the accession of the rains, and on 
places from where the snow has just melted, like the Snow- 
drop in European countries in early spring; but it may be 
found much higher, as on the Choor mountain, which like 
the above is for more than six months covered with snow.” - 
The latter species is very like that now figured, but is 
smaller in all its parts, and has a distinctly two-lobed lip. 
The very circumstance of its appearing in such cold places 
in India would have justified the expectation that R. purpurea 
also would prove more capable of bearing a low temperature 
than is usually supposed ; and in fact it is by no means even 
a greenhouse plant, but a fine half-hardy perennial, growing 
about eighteen inches high, and flowering from the beginning 
of August to October; and it would probably prove quite 
hardy in the warmer parts of Ireland. 
It may be increased freely by division of the roots or by 
seeds ; the latter only requiring to be sown in a cold frame 
any time during summer; the seedlings will flower freely the 
second season. 
The roots should be kept quite dry when in a dormant 
state ; but like all Scitamineous plants they should have artl- 
ficial heat and plenty of moisture to start them in the spring, 
and during the earlier part of the growing season. 
The plants from which the annexed figure was. made, 
were raised in the garden of the Horticultural Society, from 
seeds received from the Honourable Court of Directors of the 
East India Company, through Dr. Royle, in May, 1839. 
