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Platk XXIX. 



L/ELIA ELEGANS WOLSTENHOLMI/E 



A magnificent epiphytal orchid, with the general characteristic* Of L*tia ehya*r*.trom which it U dUlingiiishcd by it* 

 larger size, and Us peculiar colouring. The *lem* arc terete and elongated, thickened upwards so as to become 

 clavatv. The leaver two in number.are oblong nml coriaceous. The flowers arc upwards of seven inches aero**, 

 live or six of them being produced in the raceme, which is terminal. The sepal* arc lancc-diapcd, spreading, 

 white, with a pale purplUh-rose margin. The petals an* ovate-lanceolate* twice the breadth of the sepals »l*o 

 white with a broad border of pale purplish-rose, which run* out where they narrow to the base. The lip is 

 large, pallid at the base, where it is folded over the column, lobate, wavy, and denticulate iti front, marked 

 about the throat by a rich deep purple curved blotch, which is continued down the di*k toward* (ho base, and 

 has on each side a hroad patch of white, while the interior and marginal portion i% of a pale rosy purple, ami 

 marked with numerous deep purple veins. 



LJXIA elkoans WoisrcsfflOlJlU, Ilmltcnbaeh jil- Gardewrd Chronicle* 1865, 098, 



"As Dr. Hooker/* remarks lteiehcnbach when first describing this fine variety, "during his Himalayan 

 ex|*cilition, from time lo time discovered what he believed to be the most splendid Rhododendron of all — till 

 he met with a much finer one. so in our Daynn correspondence we from time to time make out the mod 

 splendid Jjafia elegans. Just now, wc regard this one, Ihc very best of all/' We have noi heard that tin* 

 lovely flower has since then been dethroned, unless, indeed, it be in the case of a variety to which the name 

 of ManhalliiS has been given, and which is remarkable for the intense rich purple of its lip, and the 

 pretttly-veinetl purple petals. The present variety is named in compliment lo Mrs* Wolstenholm, the sister 

 of John Day, Esq.* who was the first to introduce and to flower it. 



This lovely form of Lcplia elegnns ranks amongst the rarest and most beautiful of the many imported 

 varieties of that line but variable species. The specimen which our artist has rendered so foiililidly, we are 

 enabled to figure through the kindness of W. Marshall, Esq., of Enfield, in whose rich collection it Dowered 

 under the earc of Mr. Wilson. The plant is in no way dilTcrent from the original species, as regards \u 

 growth and general habit, but in the colour of its flowers it differs totally from those of the normal form, 

 09 will at once be seen by a glance at our illustration. The individual flowers arc very large and spreading, 

 measuring upwards of seven inches in diameter. The sepals and petals arc pure while, the former being 

 tinted round the edges with purple, while the latter have a broad uninterrupted border of veiny rosy lilac. 

 The lip is large, white at the base, and deep rosy purple towards the front. The flowers arc produced at 

 various times during the year, but usually during the autumn months. 



The Ltflitts comprise some of the most handsome plants which are to be found amongst the now numerous 

 and varied species and varieties of cultivated orchids ; and they well deserve the attention of all lovers of 

 Litis highly interesting order of plants. They resemble the CaltUgas in many respects, and have been found 

 to hybridize with them. The chief distinctive diameter between the two so-called genera consists in the 

 number of their pollen*masses — a difference which is of so slight a character ns to be a matter of little 

 importance to the amateur. 



SECOND SEMES. 



