90 COOL ORCHID GROWING. 



as in flower; pseudo-bulbs erect, slender, from six to nine 

 inches high, bearing two thick, but narrow, glaucous leaves 

 from five to seven inches long ; peduncles one to two flowered ; 

 sepals and petals two inches long, lanceolate, white or pallid 

 rose colour ; lip rosy lilac, pale creamy-yellow, blotched and 

 streaked with pale purple on the disc. The glaucous leaves and 

 pallid flowers of this species are very characteristic. It flowers 

 freely, lasting from three to four weeks in perfection. (Called 

 also Cattleya Lindleyana.) 



L. majalis (Oaxaca, 1838). This is the "May Flower," or 

 " Flor de Maio," of the Mexican Spaniards, and one of the most 

 beautiful species in the genus ; though, unfortunately, it does 

 not flower so profusely as the other species do. It is of dwarf 

 habit, having pseudo bulbs as large or larger than pigeons' 

 eggs ; flowers from four to five inches across, of a bright 

 silvery lilac, the lip blotched with crimson purple, and 

 margined with rosy lilac ; centre white. Should be grown in 

 a cool house, and fully exposed to the sun all the year round, 

 suspended near the glass. Does best on a block in an airy 

 situation. 



*L. Perrini (Brazil). A well-known species, easily recog- 

 nised when not in flower by its purplish-coloured clavate 

 pseudo-bulbs, which are furrowed distinctly ; leaves narrow, 

 from nine to twelve inches long ; sepals and petals rosy 

 purple ; lip deep crimson purple. Flowers very freely about 

 October or November ; lasting about a fortnight in beauty. 



L. prccstans. A beautiful^iwarf species, blooming twice in 

 the year, like C. bulbosa ; sepals and petals rosy lilac ; lip 

 crimson purple ; flowers solitary, very rarely two together. 

 This is not a common plant, though a very desirable one ; 

 flowers about April and May, and lasts a considerable time. 

 The sepals and petals lie very flat, that is in the same plane, 

 giving a distinct appearance to the flower. Grows freely 



