26 orchid-grower's manual. 



natural hybrids or seminal variations. I have seen at least 

 two dozen varieties of Cattleya Mossia in bloom at one time ; 

 some had white petals and rich crimson lip, others rose- 

 coloured petals and yellow lip, and each differed more or 

 less from the others. In fact, nearly all species of Orchids 

 have varieties. Four flowers taken from four different plants 

 of Phalmnopsis amabilis were brought me by a gentleman, 

 and no two of them were exactly ahke. The same may be 

 said of Phalcenojjsis Schilleriana. I have seen many plants of 

 this in bloom, varying much in the colour of the flower and in 

 the shape and markings of the leaf; all were, however, hand- 

 some. In a wild state, varieties appear to be unlimited, crossed 

 and recrossed, as they doubtless are, by insects. Who, for 

 instance, would have thought, a few years ago, of receiving so 

 splendid an importation as Phalcunopsis Schilleiiana, beautiful 

 not only in blossom but in foliage ? And we are told there 

 exists a still finer species, with scarlet flowers ! Let us hope 

 it will soon be added to our collections ; what a contrast it 

 would make with the white and mauve coloured kinds now 

 in cultivation ! Mr. Dominy has succeeded in raising some 

 pretty varieties of Cattleya, Calanthe, Cypripedium, GoodyerYt, 

 &c. I trust he may persevere in the good work, and produce 

 something new in other genera. Many kinds seed freely if 

 the flowers are set, producing many seeds in a pod. 



The seed, having been gathered as soon as ripe, should be 

 sown when ripe ; but it requires great care, as it is not so easy 

 to raise as that of many other kinds of plants. Some of the 

 kinds are a long time in geiminating ; I have known Orchid 

 seeds to lie twelve months before they made their appearance. 

 It is, however, highly interesting to watch their gradual de- 

 velopment, from the tiny germ to the first small pseudobulbs, 

 and so on up to the flowering state. The best place to sow 

 the seed is on the top of an Orchid pot, where the seeds wil 



