CATTLEY A maxima. 
The Larger Cattleya. 
GYNANDRIA MONANDRIA. 
Nat. ord. ORCHIDACEX. $ EPIDENDREX. (OrcHIDS, Vegetable 
Kingdom, p. 173. ined.) 
CATTLEYA. Lindley. 
C. maxima; pseudobulbis clavatis elongatis altě sulcatis, foliis subemargi- 
natis basi sublatioribus, pedunculo 2-3-floro spatha ancipiti longiore, 
sepalis lanceolatis petaloideis subrecurvis, petalis pluries latioribus con- 
vexis undulatis reticulatim pictis, labello convoluto apice explanato 
oblongo subcrispato-lobato per axin leevissimo. 
C. maxima, Lindl. gen. $ sp. Orch. p. 116. Bot. Reg. 1844. sub t. 5. 
Journal of the Horticultural Society, vol. 1. part 1. page 64. 
The more our knowledge of the varying forms of Orchids 
extends, the less do we feel able to determine what characters 
or peculiarities of structure are of real value in distinguishing 
species. Every thing which among other plants has gained 
a fixed value, appears here to be unstable; and even the 
most marked differences in form are proved by incontestable 
evidence to grow out of each other. 
This being so, we may be excused for doubting how far 
this beautiful plant can lay claim to the rank of a species; 
for it evidently approaches both C. Mossie and labiata in 
many important particulars. Its main peculiarities consist 
in its long-channelled. pseudo-bulbs, and in its very convex 
wavy petals, which are guite different in appearance from the 
thin, nearly flat, petals of C. Mossie and labiata. 
If, however, we attach any value to differences of colour, 
then indeed there remains no difficulty in separating this 
plant ; for 1t is remarkable for the dark crimson veins richly 
traced upon its pallid lip, and for a beautiful net-work of 
purple streaks, which is drawn over all their surface. At 
first, too, the colour of the flowers is so pale as to be almost 
white; but the tints heighten day by day, till at last the 
blossoms acquire the rich tint represented in the accompany- 
ing plate. 
January, 1846. x 
