i88i.] ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 189 



Crocus Sieberi collected at Florence thirteen years ago. The flowers are of a 

 lilac-purple tint, and rise about 2 inches above the soil. 



In the conservatory, as noted above, the display was unusually bright, the 

 stage along one side of the entire path being entirely occupied with large and 

 beautiful groups of plants. The most noticeable were those from Messrs Yeitch, 

 the Orchids and Amaryllises being particularly attractive. Among the former 

 were several specimens of the fragrant Dendrochilum glumaceum, with numer- 

 ous spikes of its diminutive flowers. The charming Angrpecum citratum was 

 represented by a specimen flowering very freely in a shallow pan. The pretty 

 Dendrobium Ainsworthi was in good condition, its rich purple-lipped flowers 

 being numerous. One specimen of D. crassinode had a growth about 3 feet 

 long bearing twenty fine flowers. Many other handsome Orchids were also 

 observable, among them being several good varieties of Cattleya trianie and 

 Epidendrum macrochilum album. A specimen of Ehododendron Veitchii was 

 shown, with abundance of its beautiful large white crisp flowers. R. Taylori 

 was also exhibited in good condition, and near them was a group of Ehodcden- 

 dron Early Gem, a dwarf form, with oval dark -green leaves and purplish lilac- 

 coloured flowers of medium size, but produced very freely. It appears a use- 

 ful plant for decorative purposes, owing to its dwarfness and floriferousness. 

 Plants of Guelder Rose 2 feet high in 32-size pots had a prof usion of their balls 

 of white flowers. The double purple Cineraria Mrs Thomas Lloyd was in 

 similarly good condition. Cyclamens were contributed in vigorous health ; 

 but the Amaryllises were the chief feature of the groups, a large number 

 being exhibited of various shades of colours, some very rich, and the flowers 

 generally of excellent form. A gold medal was deservedly awarded for these 

 fine collections. 



Mr B. S. Williams also obtained a gold medal for a large and handsome 

 group of Orchids, including some fine specimens of Cypripedium villosum, one 

 central plant about a yard in diameter having more than three dozen flowers, 

 while several others of less size had from twelve to twenty. Dendrobium 

 Freemani had two growths, each bearing twenty of its warm purple-tinted 

 flowers. Two large healthy specimens of Phaius grandifolius had a dozen 

 spikes each. A plant of Masdevallia ignea had more than thirty flowers, but 

 rather small, owing to a check the plant had received, as the variety is really 

 a very good one both in depth of colour and size of flower when in good condi- 

 tion. Cymbidium eburneuni was well shown ; also the pretty Odontoglossum 

 Rossii majus, and many others which cannot now be particularised. 



The General Horticultural Company contributed an attractive and elegant 

 group of flne-foliaged and other plants. Very noticeable were specimens of 

 ^chmea (Chevalliera) Veitchii and Tillandsia Saundersoniana. The former 

 has been in flower for a long period, the spike of closely imbricated crimson 

 bracts with their serrated margins being very distinct. The latter has 

 recurved glaucous green leaves with reddish spots, and a large spreading 

 inflorescence of flowers which were not open, but the pale yellow bracts 

 rendered it attractive. Small plants of Dracsena bella occupied the centre of 

 the group. This is a charming dwarf variety with narrow crimson leaves, 

 and admirably suited for table decoration, as it colours well in a young state. 

 The elegant Adiantuni Bausei was in good form ; several good specimens of 

 Nephrolepis Duffii being also exhibited, with Aralias, Palms, &c. A silver 

 Flora medal was awarded. 



Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., Burford Lodge, Dorking (Orchid grower, Mr C. 

 Spyers), exhibited a very beautiful collection of Orchids, chiefly Odonto- 



