CALANTHE. 109 



perfection. This is a good plant for exhibition, the colours 

 being very distinct. 



C. Masuca grandifiora. — A very scarce variety, with ever- 

 green foliage, producing gigantic flower spikes from thi'ee to 

 four feet high, which continue blooming for three months : 

 sepals and petals deep violet, shading off to lilac ; lip very 

 deep rich purple. Its long continuous blooming season makes 

 it valuable. 



C. Sieholdti. — An elegant evergreen dwarf-growing cool- 

 house species, with broad dark green plaited leaves and erect 

 spikes, bearing large yellow flowers. A distinct and desirable 

 species. From Japan. 



0. Veitchii. — A beautiful mule, raised between Limatodes 

 rosea and Ccdanthe vestita^ by 'Mr. Dominy. It is a deciduous 

 plant, and grows like C. vestita. The flower spikes are 

 usually from two to three feet high, and the blossoms of a 

 rich rose colour. This has proved to be one of the best and 

 most useful for winter decoration. The finest example I ever 

 saw of it was in the collection of S. Mendel, Esq., under the 

 care of Mr. Fetch ; the pseudobulbs were nearly eighteen 

 inches high, and the flower spike six feet long, supporting fifty 

 of its charming flowers. Every grower of Orchids ought to 

 have at least twelve or more of this fine decorated species for 

 winter blooming. 



C. veratrifolia. — A noble species from India, in spikes of 

 flowers, which are delicate white, frequently attaining the 

 height of two or three feet ; it blooms freely from May to 

 July, and will continue blooming for two months. The 

 flowers should be kept free from damp, for if they get wet they 

 are apt to become spotted. This also makes one of the finest 

 exhibition plants ; it is a very old species, but no collection 

 should be without it. 



C. vestita igneo-oculata. — This variety was exhibited in 



