62 COOL ORCHID 



a. B. Skinneri var. superba (see Warner's pi. 38). This is a 

 fine, richly-coloured variety of the above, flowering at the same 

 time, 



B. spectabilis (Guatemala, 1843). This is a fine, large- 

 flowered, summer-flowering species, the individual flowers being 

 fully two inches across ; sepals and petals oblong, acuminate, of 

 a rosy lilac colour ; lip white, margined with deep lilac or 

 rosy purple, and dotted or spotted with crimson ; imported 

 plants of this, as of many other Orchids, vary greatly ; blooms 

 in May and July, and lasts from eight to ten weeks in beauty. 

 This and the preceding species may be removed to the drawing- 

 room when in flower, and, if protected by a large glass-shade 

 or bell-glass, will form objects of: beauty, the enjoyment of 

 which need not be marred by any anxiety as to their ultimate 

 welfare, if the temperature of the apartment is kept above 

 freezing-point. 



Calanthe. 



A genus of beautiful plants, mostly tropical ; still C. vera- 

 trif olia will grow vigorously and flower freely in the warm 

 compartment of the cool house. 



*C. veratrifoUa (East Indies, 1819). Leaves two feet or more 

 in length, plaited, with wavy margins, and of a fresh green 

 colour ; scapes from two to three feet high, freely produced on 

 well-grown plants ; flowers pure white, except the green tips 

 of the sepals and the golden papillae on the disc of the 

 labellum ; the flowers turn blue and eventually black if 

 bruised ; it lasts from six to eight weeks in perfection, and, 

 when well bloomed, is a beautiful plant ; May and July, 



Cattleya. 



This is one of the most showy genera we have amongst 

 Orchids, some of the species bearing handsome flowers, from 

 six to eight inches across, and most beautifully tinted with 



