1 6 PHAIUS. 



HYBRID PHAIUS. 



The only hybrid between species of Phaius that has flowered up 

 to the present time is that described below^ which was obtained 

 by Mr. Norman C. Cookson, of Wylam-on-Tyne. Previous to its 

 appearance the hybridisation of Phaius by hand had, so far as we 

 are aware, been exclusively confined to our own nursery, and even 

 there the operations were on a very limited scale, and undertaken 

 with the sole object of obtaining bi-generic hybrids between Phaius 

 grandifolius and Calanthe vestita or one of its varieties. Many years ago 

 Dominy raised P. inoiatus, Rchb. {Phaio-calunthe irrorata, Rolfe) from 

 P. grandifolius x Calanthe vestita, var. Tiirneri nivalis, which flowered 

 for the first time in 1867 ; and Seden subsequently obtained from P. 

 grandifolius X Calanthe vestita, var. rubro-oculata, another form, described 

 below as Phaio-calanthe irrorata, var. purpurea. The last-named hybridist 

 has also obtained a progeny of stronger constitution and with hand- 

 somer flowers from P. grandifolius X Calanthe Veitchii, itself a hybrid, 

 so that three species of two distinct genera have participated in its 

 parentage. In all three cases the number of seedlings raised was 

 extremely restricted. It is an interesting fact that these crosses have 

 been eSected between an evergreen and a deciduous species, and 

 although their vegetative organs show, as might be expected, some 

 intermediate characters, the evergreen element greatly preponderates, 

 and the habit of all of them is much that of a Phaius. The flowers, 

 too, have the triangular outline as seen in P. grandifolius, P. 

 Wallichii, etc., to which they are also but little inferior in size. 

 The sepals and petals are spreading, lanceolate, sub-equal and nerved 

 nearly as in those species. The lip, also, is much more that of a 

 Phaius than of a Calanthe, but it is more deeply lobed and has a 

 more slender spur. The column has derived its most obvious characters 

 from both genera, being clavate aud stoutish as in Phaius, but winged 

 below as in Calanthe ; the poUinia are eight, the number common 

 to both genera. 



Phaius Oooksonii. 



P. Wallichii x P. tnhereuJosus. 



Pseudo-bulbs nearly as in Phaius Wallichii. Leaves intermediate 



between those of the two parents. Scapes shorter than the leaves, 



five or more flowered. Flowers as large as those of P. Wallichii; 



sepals and petals light rose tinted with yellow-brown along the middle, 



