Plate 329. 

 SOPHRONTTTS GRANDIFLORA, var, 



Higli-coloured flowers arc not rommon in the very varied 

 and lovely tribe to which the subject of our present Plate be- 

 longs. "While rich in all tlie shades of blue, lilac, and yellow, 

 and containing some of the loveliest white flowers in the whole 

 realm of Flora, scarlet flowers are comparatively scarce ; in- 

 deed, as a rule, the Orchid attracts us more by the singularity 

 of its form, the delicacy of its tints, or the strength of its per- 

 fume, than by tlie brilliancy of its colouring ; hence SophrO' 

 nifis (jrandijtora, though in itself small, is much valued for its 

 colour. 



Sophronitis grandijlora, like many of the Orcliid family, is 

 to be found, in some cases, differing from its normal character ; 

 thus in the variety we now figure, the leaves are considerably 

 longer than in the variety usually grown ; and in some that we 

 have seen there is a diff"erence in the shade of colour ; but no 

 very remarkable departure, in any case, has been noted ; and 

 our object in selecting the variety now figured, is to bring 

 under the notice of a class of orchid-growers which has arisen 

 of late years, a valuable and easily-managed plant. 



"NVe saw this variety in bloom at Mr. "Williams's, at the Vic- 

 toria Nursery, ITnlloway. and are indebted to liim, both for tlie 

 opportunity of figuring it, and for the following note on its 

 culture : — " It is a very free blooming plant, and is best grown 

 on a block of wood (as shown in the Plate) suspended from the 

 roof of the house, Avith a good supply of water at the roots ; 

 this is best done by syringing the block once or twice a day in 

 warm weather, but in winter less will suflfice ; the temperature 

 of a cool house will suit it best, and as near the glass as pos- 

 sible, so that it may make strong growtli." So much lias been 



