THE LOST ORCHID. 
Nov a few orchids are “ lost ”—have been described 
that is, and named, even linger in some great 
collection, but, bearing no history, cannot now be 
found. Such, forinstance,are Cattleya Jongheana, 
Cymbidium Hookerianum, Cypripedium Faitria- 
num. But there is one to which the definite article 
might have been applied a very few days ago. 
This is Cattleya labiata vera. It was the first to 
bear the name of Cattleya, though not absolutely 
the first of that genus discovered. C Loddigesii 
preceded it by a few years, but was called an 
Epidendrum. Curious it is to note how science 
has returned in this latter day to the views of a 
pre-scientific era. Professor Reichenbach was only 
restrained from abolishing the genus Cattleya, 
and merging all its species into Epidendrum, by 
regard for the weakness of human nature. 
Cattleya labiata vera was sent from Brazil to Dr. 
Lindley by Mr. W. Swainson, and reached Liver- 
pool in 1818. So much is certain, for Lindley 
