VANDA. 493 
V. Bensoni.—A desirable species, with erect stems rift. 
high, bearing leathery, strap-shaped leaves, from 6in. to 
8in. long. The flowers are 2in. in diameter, and are pro- 
duced, ten or fifteen together, on racemes rft. to 1Hft. 
long; the sepals and petals are obovate, white behind, 
yellowish green in front, marked with numerous reddish- 
brown dots; the apex of the lip is of a soft violet colour, 
the central part is rosy pink, and the two small lobes at 
the base, as well as the spur, are white. This pretty 
species is a native of Burmah, and was introduced to 
cultivation in 1866. 
Botanical Magazine, t. 5611. 
V. cerulea.—In colour, as well as in wealth of bloom, 
this species stands supreme amongst Vandas. Long after 
its introduction in 1849 it continued to be a rare plant, 
owing chiefly to improper treatment. Its requirements being 
now understood, the species has latterly acquired great 
popularity. It is, perhaps, the finest of all Orchids that 
flower in late autumn. The stems are usually from rft. to 
2it. high (sometimes more), bearing two opposite rows of 
dark green, rigid leaves 6in. to 8in. long, strap-shaped, 
and unequally two-lobed at the tips. The racemes are rft. 
to 2ft. long, and the flowers 4in. in diameter; over a 
score of the latter have been obtained on a single raceme, 
but twelve is a good average number. The oblong sepals 
and petals are of a beautiful pale lavender-blue, the small 
lip being more distinctly blue. In good varieties the parts 
of the flower overlap, and are often prettily tessellated 
with a darker shade. When they first expand, the flowers 
are much smaller and paler than they finally become. A 
native of the Khasya Hills. 
Fig. 110 (for which we are indebted to the Editor of 
the “‘ Garden”’). 
