92 COOL OKCHID GEOWING. 



shaped, bearing two large, leathery leaves ; flower spike from 

 five to ten feet long, the flowers being borne in a cluster of 

 from five to twenty near its apex ; flowers from five to six inches 

 across, of a deep, rosy purple, veined with crimson ; lip yellow 

 and crimson purple, delicately pencilled; the flower-spikes 

 are a long time in arriving at maturity. It is doubly valuable 

 on account of its flowering during the dullest part of the year — 

 December and January. Lasts from three to four weeks in per- 

 fection. This plant, when not in flower, cannot be distinguished 

 from Schomburgkia crispa. 



*L. xanthina (Brazil). — This is a distinct and easily-grown 

 variety ; pseudo-bulbs clavate, from nine to twelve inches high, 

 one and two-leaved ; peduncles erect, five to seven flowered ; 

 flowers from two to three inches across, of a clear, golden- 

 yellow colour ; lips whitish, with orange streaks on the disc. 

 Remarkable among the Laelias as bearing yellow blossoms ; 

 flowers in the summer, lasting a month in bloom. Sometimes 

 called Cattleya xanthina, but it is a true Laslia. 

 Leptotes. 



*L. hicolor (Brazil, 1831). — A pretty little plant, having thick, 

 fleshy leaves, like rushes, channeled above. These leaves are 

 sometimes glaucous, and generally drooping. It is a plant of 

 very free growth, doing well either on a block or in a shallow 

 pan suspended near the light. Flowers numerous, white, the 

 sepals and petals being linear and incurved ; lip, thre'e-lobed, 

 the lateral lobes being serrulate, the central lobe rhomboid, and 

 blotched with rosy lilac. Blooms in winter, and lasts a month. 

 Lycaste. 



This is a well-known genus of terrestrial Orchids, from the 

 South American continent, man}' of them very beautiful, and 

 all of the easiest possible culture. L. Skinneri is one of the 

 best of them, as well as one of the most variable of Orchids. 

 The genus is very nearly allied to Maxillaria. 



