[ 31 ] 
lelabe lls) (HYBRIDUS) COOKSONII og. 
A hybrid obtained from Phaius Wallichii, Lindl. fertilised with the pollen of P. tuberculosus, Blume, between which it is fairly intermediate in 
character. The pseudo-bulbs are more elongated and lighter in colour than the mother plant, while the leaves, though quite intermediate in shape, are also 
of a paler shade ; all of which characters are due to the influence of the pollen parent. The raceme bears about five flowers, which measure four inches in 
diameter, with much of the general shape of P. Wallichii, but with a more open lip, and the spur reduced to a slight and very blunt protuberance, both of 
which characters show a decided approach to P. tuberculosus. The segments are salmon-coloured in front, pale delicate pink behind. Lip slightly three- 
lobed ; throat 54 of an inch across, externally deep yellow below, passing into reddish-maroon above ; internally bright yellow on the disc and base, marbled 
with crimson-brown on the sides of the throat ; the expanded part marbled with two shades of reddish-maroon, The margin is somewhat undulate, and there 
are from one to three indistinct linear keels, this character apparently varying somewhat in the different flowers seen. 
PuHatus (hybridus) CooKsonm, Rolfe in Gard. Chron, Mar. 15, 1890, p. 336; id., Mar. 29, 1890, pp. 388, 389, fig. 57 ; Veitch Man. Orch. Pl, pt. VL., 
p. 16, 
; This splendid hybrid was raised in the collection of Norman C. Cookson, Esq., of Oakwood, Wylam-on-Tyne, by his gardener, Mr. A. Murray. The 
plant was fertilised in February, 1887, and the seed ripened and was sown in the following December. It flowered for the first time in March, 1890, and was 
exhibited at a meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society on the 11th of that month, when it was awarded a first-class certificate. The plant thus reached 
the flowering stage in a little over two years—one of the shortest periods on record for a seedling orchid. It is the only true hybrid Phaius which has yet 
flowered. Phaius grandifolius has been crossed with Calanthe vestita, and also with Calanthe (hybrida) Veitchii, but the progeny resulting from these crosses 
is properly referred to Phaio-calanthe. - R.A. Rolfe. 
Icones analytica. Labellum expansum. Columna, cum basi segmenti et calcare labelli, fronte et a latere visa. Pollinia. 
Tuts magnificent hybrid has been raised by Norman C. Cookson, Esq., Oakwood, Wylam-on-Tyne, between Phaius 
Wallichii and Phaius tuberculosus, P. Wallichii being the seed-bearing parent. The pseudo-bulbs are much like those 
of P. Wallichii, but not nearly so large; nor is it probable they will ever attain such dimensions as the seed parent 
owing to the influence of P. tuberculosus. The leaves are nearly intermediate between the two. The inflorescences are 
about 7-flowered, scapes thrown well up above the foliage, and bearing large blossoms about the size of P. Wallichii. 
The lanceolate sepals are of a yellowish brown, tinted with a lively rose colour; petals oblong-ovate, and similar in 
colouring to the sepals ; labellum large and broad, slightly 3-lobed convolute, reflexed at the apex, and with a beautifully 
crispated margin ; the basal half is yellow, and much of the surface is ornamented with rosy carmine and purple spots. 
This is the first hybrid Phaius that has been raised, and much credit is due to the raiser of such a grand plant. 
We believe it was only a little over two years from the time Mr. Cookson sowed the seed to the time his first plant 
flowered. It is most remarkable that the influence of P. tuberculosus has been principally thrown into the labellum ; 
the strong, sturdy habit of growth, leaves, and inflorescence (excepting labellum) partake much more strongly of P. 
Wallichii. A specimen in blossom was exhibited at the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society on March 11, 1890, 
when it was awarded a first-class certificate. It is pleasant to have a diversion in this fine plant from the quantities of 
hybrid Cypripediums and Cattleyas now existing, and Phaius being so showy in and out of flower, are general 
favourites. Asa decorative plant this genus ranges well with Palms and Curculigos ; their culture is also most easy— 
they require a warm, moist atmosphere, being all tropical. Their native habitats range from the Eastern Himalayas 
to Ceylon and from China and Japan to New Guinea and Queensland. The culture is most easy—any ordinary stove 
will suit the plants. They should be potted at the time the young growth is starting in a compost consisting of equal 
parts of fibrous peat and loam interspersed with silver sand, as they are heavy and coarse-rooting. Not too thick a 
layer of potsherds should be placed in the pots. Before the young growths are far advanced the plants may, in fine 
weather, be syringed once a day, and they must be placed in a shady position of the house. After a few years’ culture 
Phaius attain a large size, and we have frequently seen specimens with twenty or more flower spikes, and for decorative 
or exhibition purposes no finer orchid can be grown; the great flower spikes are thrown high above the ornamental 
plicate leaves, and some species bear as many as fifty flowers. The finest of the genus are P. bicolor, from Ceylon; P. 
Blumei, a native of Java and Assam ; and its fine Queensland variety, P. Blumei Bernaysii; P. grandifolius, from China 
and Australia; P. maculatus, from Japan, with dark green, yellow-spotted leaves and bright yellow flowers; P. Wallichii, 
a noble species from India and Japan; and then the finest of them, Phaius tuberculosus—this we introduced from 
Madagascar, and it is figured and described in the Reichenbachia, 2nd series, vol. 1., page 7. 
Our plate was taken from a plant in the collection of Norman C. Cookson, Esq., Oakwood, Wylam-on-Tyne. 
