124 orchid-growek's manual. 



solitary, sometimes, however, two being on a spike ; sepals 

 and petals rosy crimson ; lip deep rose, margined with white. 

 It produces its blooms in September and October, and lasts 

 three weeks in perfection. It is a very desirable plant, and 

 ought to be in every collection, however small, as it requires 

 but very little room. It grows best suspended from the roof of 

 the house, on a block of wood, with a little sphagnum moss, 

 and it requires a good supply of water at the root in the 

 growing season. There are many varieties of this species, 

 and many of them are very beautiful in colour. 



C. maxima. — A magnificent species from Columbia, grow- 

 ing from a foot to eighteen inches high. A distinct gi'owing 

 plant, producing from five to ten flowers on a spike in 

 November and December, and continuing in perfection three 

 weeks ; sepals and petals bright rose ; lip richly variegated, 

 with dark crimson veins down the centre. Of this species 

 there are many varieties — J. Day, Esq., of Tottenham, and 

 Bishop Sumner, at Farnham Castle, both possess a very fine 

 variety of this charming plant. In the latter collection, under 

 the care of Mr. Laurence, as many as thirteen fine flowers are 

 sometimes produced upon a single spike, the usual number 

 being nine and ten. There have been many plants of this 

 imported within the last few years. 



C. Mendelii. — A very fine species of recent introduction. 

 Sepals and petals large and broad, varying from white to a 

 light pink. Lip large, of a rich magenta colour. This is 

 undoubtedly one of the finest introductions of late j^ears. 

 Flowers in April and May. There are a great many varieties 

 of this fine species. It makes a very distinct plant for exhi- 

 bition. Native of South America. 



C. MossicB. — This magnificent and free-flowering species is 

 a native of La GuajTa. It grows a foot or more high, and 

 blooms from March to August. The flowers are very large, a 



