202 orchid-grower's manual. 



in December and January, and lasts two or three weeks in 

 beauty. 



L. alhida. — A lovely compact-growing species from Oaxaca. 

 The sepals and petals are white ; the lip pink, with stripes of 

 yellow down the centre. It blossoms in December and January, 

 lasting a good time in beauty. There are two varieties of 

 this plant. The best is called superba. In the latter, the 

 flowers are much larger than in the ordinary form of L. alhida. 

 L. alhida Mariana. — A pretty variety of the preceding 

 species, of compact habit, with pale green foliage ; sepals and 

 petals flesh colour, changing to salmon ; lip mauve, with buff 

 stripes. A desirable plant, blossoming during winter, and as it 

 continues in bloom four or five weeks, it is a valuable addition 

 to a collection when flowers are generally scarce. It requires 

 to be grown in a cool-house. 



L. ancejps. — A remarkably handsome Orchid from Mexico. 

 The flowers are three or four inches across, and last a month 

 in perfection, if kept in a cool dry house ; sepals and petals 

 rose lilac, the lip a beautiful deep purple. It blooms in 

 December and January. Of this there are several varieties, 

 one of which is called L. Barkerii. 



L. anceps Dawsoni. — This beautiful variety flowered in the 

 autumn of 1867 for the first time in this country, with the late 

 T. Dawson, Esq., of Meadow Bank, then the great emporium for 

 Orchid gems and novelties ; it was also exhibited, in January, 

 1868, at South Kensington, by Mr. Hodges, gardener to 

 S. Wright, Esq., Gravely Hill, Birmingham, and is a great 

 acquisition amongst our winter-flowering Orchids. The plant 

 does not present any special character distinguishing it from 

 the species, except in colour. The flowers are produced two 

 or three together, on stems two feet long or more ; sepals and 

 petals pure white ; exterior of lateral lobes of lip white, 

 interior clothed with purple lines radiating from the base, 



