

Plate XVI. 



CATTLEYA DAWSONII. 



A largtsflowwwl unci rerj ifliowj epiphyte, with the b Iril i f< labfut* and C Jfavta The rtema nro oiicleaved, 



; bear a tpikc of «cr*ml higlily-coloural flower*, whieh are full; seven in h< inam The tcpalsand petals 



ore of a delicate ■■■■■■ \ the fonnci lancc^liapctl and plane, the latter ixrj brawl and ranch iimliilntcd. Tlie lip is 



l ■: (C, tprroding in front, tin* margin much undulated, and the apex decplj dieted; tlio front portion of tin* 



tral lobe moI a rich deep raty*crirnson colour* whieh i« carried backward townnfc tin* tnw in tht* form of 



ttrcaks; the from |)nrt of the lateral lol»os is white, narrowly bonlorvd witli row ; and the centre is yellowish. 



Cattlkta Dawsonu. A Jl". 



Tin* varieties of the Catt/cya family, and (specially those related to V. MjwJa ami J/ohm*, arc so 

 strikingly beautiful (hot we offer no a]K)h.^y f»r nuilliplying our figures of them. We find litis magni- 

 ficent genus increasing nl bo rapid n rates (hnl we cannot expect to keep pace with the advance, tit the 

 production of our figures, though we shall hope yet in bo Btilt to bring sonic other fine acquisitions i" ii- 

 ranks within the compass of our present volume; for wo cannot but regard the well-marked forms of i 

 noble a race as being equally deserving of pictorial record with the ephemeral beauties of the florist, which 

 arc produced only to bo discarded in the course of a season or two at the furthest. No class of Orchids 

 can mi rpa«s the QtUtej/M for tho grandeur of the dismay they create, and the distinct shades of colour 

 which tin* different varieties secure to us, nro eter welcome in the Orchid-bouse. 



Thc accompanying figure of CaiiUya Vawomi was taken from a fine specimen which bloomed in the 

 rich collection of T. Dawson, Esq., of Meadow hank, Glasgow, where it has been known for several years. 

 It U quite unlike any that have come under our notice; and although related to Catllcga A/ottAr, it is 

 perfectly distinct from that plant Indeed, we venture the Hirmisclliat it may he a wild hybrid between 

 Cfitthf/ti labtoU and NmM t as ii resembles both these; but (he susc of the flower is noteworthy, and the 

 foliage is much stiller and more erect, *j much so, that it i- .-... distinguished from them by its fol 

 when nut in flower. The leaver arc thicker than in any oilier of it* class known to u& 



It is a very rare plant. The specimen which furnished tin- flowers represented by our artist, came, we 

 believe, originally from Brazil, though we hare no certain information as to its introduction* We hope 

 however thai some <*t h our collector* will discover it. and send a fresh supply, in order that su fine a plant may 

 be generally obtained. We liavo some small plants at Mroomficld which look like it. 



This Caltlega Dawonii Tonus n close-growing, evergreen plant* growing about afoot in height. It- 

 foliage i^ of a dark-^rceu colour, and the individual leaves, which are produced singly, are two and u half 

 inches broad. It produces its llowcrt three and four together on n spike; they are large, being as much 

 ■\ru inches in expanse. The sepals and petals arc of a delicate rose-purple ; the lip is large, of a 

 beautiful roscinc colour, yellow on the upper part, and finely frilled on the edge. The substance of the 

 Dower enables it to contiuue perfect for several week-. 



This plant is of n free-growing habit, and is exceedingly well cultivated by Mr. Andewon, gardener to 

 T. Dawson, Esq., who grows these plant* generally to grcal perfection. Like other CaMte$a* t it will thrive 

 either on a block of wood suspended from the roof, or in a pot If on a block, it murtbnrea tolerable exposure 

 to light, I . enable if to grow rigorously, and to bloom freely. In fixing it to the block, first place the plant 

 on d little live sphagnum moss, and then, having driven in somo small copper noils, fasten ii down firmly on 

 the block with some win? of the same mat* rial Copper nails ore the most suitable for this purpose, as they 





