

I 



Plate X, 



LYCASTE SKINNERI. 



\ 



A wcli*known epiphyte, with oblong-mate pseiuMmlhs terminated h\ a pair *>f oblong-lanceolate plaited leave*, 

 the largo, thick, enduring flowers ore produced nngly ai the ends of uuliuil scaj*s. and are white, tinged with 

 rose; the lip usually stained and spotted with deep red or c-riinsoa 



I.vi.xsn: Skixxhu, UndUf, Bofaniati ffijyufrr, 1843, raucelL 15; tlwktTi Botanical M&pxine, t.4445; Pma- 

 tomr, r. 89. 



Maxjllaru Skinxeri, Rotatum, Botanical B^rf<r, im.;, misc. 13; M, Ott*idaee<e of Ui iwv irad Gtatanofa, t. :;\ 



There ore numerous nineties, of which wo figure the three named below:— 



Rw. lUXliwnssniA : flowers large upwards of >i\ inelh-* :hto«; M'palx and pelaN while, flushed with KWT- 



pink: lip white, faintly and dtstantlj spotted with ixttC (W$W¥ 1). 

 Kir. hcturata: flowen large, seven incite* across; sepals and petals strongly tinged with rose; li|» white, 



spotted, and heavily stained at the base with crimson (Figure :j> 

 IV. pdrhthaTa: flowers large six inches across; sepals and petals blush-white; lip wholly of the richest 



crimson-purple {Fitjttw 3). 



Mr_ Baleman well speaks of this plant as tiiQfwil&princepi of nil the Maxillarias — lo which genus he 

 had referred it. It holds also the chicfest place simnn^l Lye; isles, and it has the interest of yielding a very 

 lanrc number of beautiful varieties, dilTcriiig in the size and colour of their Qowtirs. It is, without exception, 

 the most useful winter Orchid we possess. Wc now figure three out of a selection of eight beautiful and 

 distinct varieties which bloomed with us hist year, in great perfection. These bave llowered for the lost 

 three years, during which lime tliey bave kept true to tlie characters represented in our drawing. We 

 have seen oilier good varieties in the collection of J. Day, Esq., of Tottenham, and some line ones have 

 been shown by Mr. Voitcb. We have ourselves bloomed many others, all exquisitely beautiful, and of 

 almost every shade of colour from deep rose to white, with markings of the richest crimson. The quality 

 of blooming during the dull winter months renders these charming plants particularly desirable for culti- 

 vation, and where flowers are required in the winter season, a dozen plants of this species would not be too 

 many for even a moderate collection. 



Wc are indebted to Mr. Skinner (who lias also obtained for us many other of our most valuable 

 Orchids) for the introduction of this noble species from Guatemala; and we trust that he will cause more 

 of it to be imported* in order that we may be able to grow it more abundantly as it* cultivation becomes 

 lieitcr understood* Many fine specimens of it have been destroyed by improper treatment. It has now 

 been proved to be one of the hardiest Orchids wc have. Any one who has a vine-house, with the command 

 of a little heat hi winter, will be able to grow it. We bave cultivated it for several years in a house 

 under vines with very little heat) Ihc gntnd secret being to give the plants a good growth during summer, 

 without any fire-heat except in eold and wet weather. Wc have had it in a warm room in winter when 

 in bloom, the roots being kept rather moist* and the llowcrs dry; indeed, it is especially valuable for room 

 decoration- Even when cut, the flowers of this Lycnstc will last four to five weeks in perfection if a fresh 

 supply of water is frequently given to them. There are few flowers (hat will continue fresh so long 

 after being cut as those of Orchids, but they must not be placed near the lire, or they will soon fade. 



Lycatle Skw/trri is an evergreen plant, baring broad, dork-grcCQ, strongly plaited, spreading leaves, 

 spreading from the top of the thick upright p^cudobulbs. These leaves, under ordinary good treatment, 

 grow to the length of two feet, and arc as much as four inched broad ; but we have grown them under vines 





