298 FLORAL EXHIBITIONS. 



amateur, that he may see how many varieties are eligible to be shown 

 in this class. This alone slioukl induce any person interested in a new 

 flower to enter his name as a member, and thus reap the advantage 

 of publicity in the prospectuses of the Society. Thus has arisen, 

 phoenix-like, from the ashes of the old Society, an institution that will 

 do more for the Dahlia than the rest of the societies put together, and, 

 more particularly, if the liberality of tliose in the trade who rarely 

 come forward enable the Society to increase the encouragement by ap- 

 propriately liberal prizes." 



FLORAL EXHIBITIONS. 



HORTICULTUKAL SOCIETY. 



October 5. — Among subjects of exhibition was a fine collection of 

 Orchids from the nursery of Messrs. Loddiges, of Hackney, comprising, 

 among other things, Cattleya bicolor, a scarce species, with deep violet 

 lip and tawny-green petals ; C. granulosa ; Angraecum pei'tusum, 

 Odontoglossum grande, the latter particularly well coloured ; and, by 

 way of contrast, two specimens of Cymbidium giganteum, one flowered 

 in a hothouse, the other in a cool well-aired greenhouse. The latter 

 was richly coloured, wliile the former was comparatively colourless, a 

 fact winch conclusively proves the beneficial effects arising from cool 

 and airy treatment, more especially when the plants are coming into 

 blossom. From the same collection were also two fine plants of 

 Platycerium grande, a noble-looking Fern, and one of the very easiest 

 to cultivate; and a small plant of Anopterus glandnlosus, a new ever- 

 green greenhouse plant, from New Holland. A Knightian medal was 

 awarded for these, and a similar award was also made to Mr. Catleugh, 

 of Chelsea, for magnificent plants of Aphelandra cristata, and the 

 larger variety of Justicia carnea, than which it would perhaps be diffi- 

 cult to find better examples of good cultivation. The Aphelandra 

 was dwarf and busliy, each branch surmounted with brilliant comb- 

 like flowers ; the Justicia was about three feet in height and four feet 

 through, bushy to the very pot, and loaded with blossoms. Along 

 with these was also a Heliotropium, known in the nurseries by the name 

 of Voltairianum, a fine deep purple variety, raised on the Continent, 

 and much handsomer than the common Heliotrope. A certificate was 

 awarded it. A fine specimen of the Chinese Renanthera coccinea was 

 communicated by Mr. Woodhain Death, Nettleswell, Harlow ; it 

 was stated that this Avas the third time the same plant had bloomed 

 witliin these twenty-three months ; it had been kept in a cool house, 

 fully exposed to the sun. A Banksian medal was awarded it. Of 

 novelties, Messrs. Veitch and Son, of Exeter, contributed a new Vanda, 

 which liad been sent by Mr. T. Lobb from Java, under the false name 

 of insignis ; it approaches V. Roxburghii in appearance, but is distinct 

 from tiiat as well as from all others at present in cultivation. A 

 Banksian medal was awarded it. The same nurseryman also received 

 a certificate for a plant sent from Peru by Mr. W. Lobb as a Nolana, 

 but which appeared to be a Petunia, or a plant nearly allied to 



