288 ORCHID -growek's manual. 



fleshy, prasmorse at the ends, and dark green. It blossoms 

 from May to August, and remains three or four weeks in per- 

 fection, if removed to a cooler house, and kept free from 

 damp. The flowers are closely set upon the spike, which is 

 upwards of a foot in length, and form massive wreaths of 

 bloom ; sepals and petals waxy white, spotted with deep 

 rosy-purple ; lip small, purple. There are two or three 

 varieties of this species, which makes one of the finest 

 plants for exhibition. Some remarkable specimens of it 

 were shown in the year 1850, with from twenty to twenty- 

 five spikes of flowers on each. 



S. guttatum giyanteum. — A magnificent variety, the leaves 

 of which are longer than those of S. guttatum, and spotted ; 

 the spikes are also much longer, and the flowers more distinct 

 in the markings ; it makes a superb exhibition plant, as it 

 blooms in June and July, and will last three or four weeks in 

 perfection. 



S. guttatum Holfordianiim. — This splendid variety is the 

 finest of the genus. The leaves are broader than those of 

 the ordinary form of S. guttatum, and more praemorse at the 

 ends ; the flower spikes are also much larger and longer, and 

 the flowers are of a richer colour than those of the kind just 

 named, the lip being a rich crimson. This was bloomed first 

 by R. S. Holford, Esq., Weston Birt, Gloucestershire, in 

 compliment to whom it is named. It is figured in Warner's 

 ** Select Orchidaceous Plants." 



8. Harrisonianum. — This is no doubt a variety of S. viola- 

 ceum, to which it bears great resemblance. The leaves are, 

 however, of a somewhat lighter green colour. It produces 

 dense spikes of large pure white blooms, which are remarkably 

 sweet scented, and as these are produced in the winter, they 

 become doubly valuable on that account. Native of Pulo- 

 Copang, an island in the Chinese Seas. 



