414 



JOURNAL OF HOBTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GABDENEB. 



[ May 27, 1875. 



of nigro-hirsute Dendrobinms, and therefore not thonght worth 

 collecting. It may, however, be easily recognised at any time 

 by the peculiar form of its stem, which tapers off very suddenly 

 at the bottom, quite unlike the stem form of any of its allies. 



It is nearest allied to Dendrobium xanthophlebium, but is 

 decidedly distinct from that plant. The ground colour of the 

 flower is ivory white, the texture of the same being thick and 

 shining as in Dendrobium hedyosmum. The flowers are 



Fig. 99.— Dendeobitm cjiusjfeeum, Reichcntiacl:, 



beaulilally tinged throughout with cinnabar red, especially so 

 about the sepals ; and the labellnm is always brightly marked 

 with the same colour; the keels of the three sepals are highly 

 developed ; the petals are cuneate, oblong, acute, reflexed. 



This plant grows well on a block of wood, and is very easy 

 of cultivation. The flowers vary considerably in colour in dif- 

 ferent plants, some plants being very highly tinged throughout 

 with red, whilst other plants are nearly pure ivory white, the 

 labellum only being brightly coloured. This variation of colour 



makes the plant all the more desirable, and when better known 

 it is sure to become a favourite. The flowers are sweet-scented. 

 The drawing is taken from a plant in Major Berkeley's col- 

 lection. 



Sparrows. — Some time 'ago one of your correspondents 

 thought that these birds were unjustly maligned. This year, 

 for the first time I admit, they peeked out the centre of every 

 Carnation in my garden, though the plants were in several 



