1870.] WINTER-BLOOMING ORCHIDS. 125 



it usually flowers in August and September from the young growth. One variety 

 named hyemalis is said to bloom, as a rule, in December and January ; and the 

 great difference between this and the old form is this, that it flowers from old 

 ripened wood. Of this there were several plants. The flowers of some were 

 not yet opened, and this tendency to bloom late makes it the more valuable. A 

 very scarce Orchid is Oncidium nebulosum, which, though not much of itself, is 

 yet useful in a collection ; one had a spike of flowers from 2 to 3 yards in length, 

 and a shorter spike besides — the buds not yet expanded. Very pretty and curious 

 was the somewhat minute Oncidium ornithorynchum, with five spikes of lilac- 

 purple flowers, and a golden and somewhat jagged lip. The small flowers were 

 not unlike a mass of minute birds, and were palpably scented like Violets. Of 

 Cattleyas, C. trianse was in nice bloom ; so was the beautiful C. "Wagneri, pure 

 white, with a faint tinge of lemon on the interior of the throat. C. Dawsoni was 

 another handsome form, having delicate blush-white petals, the lip prettily fringed 

 with soft purplish rose ; and there was a fine piece of Cattleya Loddigesii, 

 which, though old, has a very attractive appearance in a collection, the flowers 

 white, tinted with pale violet, and generally seen deeper in colour than in this 

 example. C. Warscewiczii had delicate blush-white flowers, the throat deep 

 orange, the delicate lip handsomely fringed. Thex-e was also a good exam- 

 ple of Mesospinidium sanguineum, having a long, thin, drooping spike, with 

 small, deep, pinkish rose flowers, the white column affording a good con- 

 trast. The fine bold spikes of some of the Calanthes also made a charming 

 display. All the varieties are exceedingly useful, and very beautiful as winter- 

 blooming kinds, and are easily grown, and the flowers durable. C. luteo-oculata 

 — the one generally found in collections — was very pretty, and had French-white 

 flowers and yellow centres. C. luteo-oculata nivalis had snow-white flowers 

 and deep orange centres, and was very fine and distinct. C. Veitchii was also very 

 handsome, and had charming pale-rose flowers on a spike from 2 to 3 feet in 

 length. The somewhat dull-looking yet handsome Zygopetalum Mackayi was 

 in full bloom, and a variety named major represented a form which had the 

 purple markings in the lip deeper and more distinct than is usually seen. Lima- 

 todes rosea and L. rosea superba were also effective ; and so was Baikeria Skin- 

 neri, with its large spikes of violet-rose flowers. B. Lindleyana had the sepals 

 and petals tinted with rosy violet, the lip fringed with purplish crimson, and 

 white throat ; the spike was from 2 to 3 feet in length, and had a terminal 

 cluster of flowers. Near it was Maxillaria luteo striata, spotted and striped with 

 buff and maroon. The curious Coelogyne brunnea, with greenish yellow flowers, 

 must also be noticed, and it is sure to be appreciated by the lovers of the curious 

 iu Orchids. 



In the East India division were fine and healthy specimens of Vandas, Saccola- 

 biums, iErides, Phalaenopsis, &c. Some of the former were very large, and of 

 vigorous development. There was a splendid specimen of Angreecum sesquipe- 

 dale, throwing up a fine spike of flowers, and an equally fine example of iErides 

 Fieldinghi. In the way of imported Orchids, Mr Bull pointed out some six or 

 seven plants of Phalsenopsis Schilleriana which alone had been saved from a con- 

 signment of from 500 to 600 plants, showing that the importer runs a great risk, 

 and also furnishing a valid reason for the high price this magnificent species 

 commands. 



In the end house was a fine specimen of Arpophyllum giganteum, nearly 2 

 feet through, and throwing up numerous flower-spikes ; Laelia purpurata, very fine 

 also ; Leptotes serrulata, coming into bloom, and promising to flower freely ; 

 some very fine plants of Cypripedium villosum ; C. Lowi, with a grand spike of 



