50 OKCHID- grower's MANUAL. 



wild state, in order that he might have the chance of 

 hybridising them ; his ideas were, that something really good 

 might thus be obtained, and no doubt he was right, for con- 

 sidering how seldom it is that we flower two Orchids alike, 

 it may be concluded that many of our imported plants, though 

 taken for the same, are natural hybrids or seminal variations. 

 We have seen at least two dozen varieties of Cattleya Mossicc 

 in bloom at one time, some having white petals and rich 

 crimson lip, others rose-coloured petals and yellow lip, but all 

 differing more or less from each other. In fact, nearly all the 

 species of Orchids yield varieties. Four flowers taken from 

 four different plants of PhalcBnopsis amabilis were once brought 

 to us, and no two of them were exactly alike. The same may 

 be said of Phalcenopsis ScJdlleruma, of which we have seen 

 many plants in bloom, varying much in the colour of the 

 flower and in the shape and markings of the leaf, all however 

 being handsome. In a wild state, varieties appear to be un- 

 limited, crossed and recrossed, as they doubtless are, by insects. 

 Who, for instance, would have thought, in years gone by, of 

 importing so splendid a plant as PlialcEnopsis Schilleriana, 

 which is beautiful not only in blossom but in foliage ? Now 

 comes P. Stuartiana, P. leucorrhoda, P. violacea, and many 

 others ; and we are told there exists a still finer species, with 

 scarlet flowers ! Let us hope the latter 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 

 and Mr. Seden have succeeded in raising some choice varieties 

 of Cattleya, CalantJie, Cypripedium, Goodyera, Dendrobium, 

 &c. ; Mr. Mitchell has raised the fine Dendrobium Ainsworthii, 

 and a pretty Cattleya, which has been named C. Mitchellii ; 

 and some Cypripediiims have been raised by Mr. Cross, formerly 

 gardener to the Dowager Lady Ashburton at Melchet Court. 

 Let us hope these hybridists and others may persevere in the 



