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— New Masdevallias. — M. Linden has received three 

 new species of Masdevallia from M. Roezl, who discovered 

 them in northern Peru. They are : M. melanopus, having white 

 flower-tubes, and very dark ovaries and tails; M. caloptera 

 having larger, probably white flowers , with dark purplish or 

 violet longitudinal stripes on the sepals — two on the upper- 

 sepal and three on each lateral one ; and the highly curious 

 M.polysticta, bearing spikes of 7 or 8 pale or white flowers, 

 with numerous dark-brown spots. M. Roezl found tufts of 

 this species bearing twenty flower-spikes at the same time. 



These additions to this peculiar and interesting genus will 

 give a fresh impetus to the favour they have enjoyed in 

 England and Belgium during the last few years. 



We may take this opportunity of laying before our readers 

 the following extracts taken from a new English work en- 

 titled : Cool Orchids and how to grow them, with Descriptions 

 of all the best Species in Cultivation, by F. W. Burbridge. 



" The genus Masdevallia includes a considerable number 

 of species, many of which come from the higher ranges of 

 the Peruvian Andes, where they luxuriate in cool moist 

 localities. They are of the easiest possible culture, growing 

 and producing abundant crops of their curious, trifid, 

 caudate blossoms , nearly all the year round. They should 

 be placed in small pots on a compost of fibrous peat, fresh 

 sphagnum , crocks , and a little fibrous loam — that which 

 has been sifted and the fibrous lumps only retained being 

 best. They will be found to flourish at the coolest end of the 

 house in company with Disa, Oncidium macranthum and 

 various species of Odontoglossum ; and their glowing lilac and 

 bright orange scarlet and purple flowers form an agreeable 

 contrast to the pure snowy white and golden-yellow flowers 

 of the plants named. The best of all in cultivation are : M. 

 Veitchi, M. Lindeni, M. Harry ana, M. tovarensis, M. coc- 

 cinea and M. maculata , but some of the best have yet to be 

 introduced to our collections. „ 



With the foregoing simple directions every amateur may 

 venture to indulge in the pleasure of growing these delightful 

 little Orchids. 



— Theopheasta impeeialis. — At the last meeting of 

 the scientific committee of the Royal Horticultural Society 

 of London Prof. Dyer exhibited seeds of the plant called in 

 gardens Theophrasta imperialis (Regel, Garten flora, t.453). 

 From the evidence now forthcoming it appears that the 

 plant m question is certainly no Theophrasta, but belongs 

 to a different family, Sapotaceae. The seeds have also the 

 character of those of the last named order, having a very 

 large hilum with the micropyle at one end. 



— Cetstal Palace geeat flowee show. — The date 

 of holding this attractive show has been altered from May 

 16 to May 9. 



— Exhibition of the Societe Rotale de Floee, Beus- 

 sels. - This show was held in the New Exchange, on 

 April 4. Important duties having prevented us from being 

 present in the capacity of judge, one of our correspondents 

 has undertaken to furnish us with same notes which we 

 shall publish in our next. 



E. A. 



