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 arti- 

 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. 



