[ 39 ] 
EYCASTE SKINNERI Zag 
VAR. ARMENIACA Sander. 
Bractea spathacea acuta ovarium vulgo bene excedente, sepalis oblongo-ligulatis acutis, petalis bene latioribus, labello oblongo-ligulato trifido, laciniis 
lateralibus obtusangulis antrorsis, lacinia antica seu ab ungue brevissimo obtusangulo triangula seu sessili triangula elongata, callo semiligulato antice libero 
intra apices laciniarum lateralium, fundo labelli pilosulo, columna trigona antice puberula. 
LYCASTE SKINNERI, Lindl. Bot. Reg., XXIX. (1843), Misc. p. 15; Paxt. Mag. Bot. XI, 
p. I, cum. tab.; Bot. Mag., t. 4445; Flore des Serres, IV., t. 303, 304; Pescatorea, t. 39 (et var. 
alba); Floral Mag., III. t. 192 ; Warn. Sel. Orch., ser. 1, t. 10; Reichenbachia, I., p. 91, t. 41 
(et var. alba). 
MAXILLARIA SKINNERI, Batem. ex Lindl. Bot. Reg., XXVI. (1840), Misc., p. 48 ; id., 
XXVIIL, Misc. p. 10; Batem. Mex. Orch. & Guat. t. 35. 
MAXILLARIA VIRGINALIS, Hort., ex Williams Orch. Gr. Man., ed. 6, p. 381. 
Pseudobulbi compresso-ovoidei, demum hinc paucicostati, bi-triphylli. Folia cuneato- 
oblonga, ligulata, acuta, plicata. Pedunculi ex vaginis fultientibus, nunc valde numerosi, 
rarissime biflori. Bracteze longitudinis varia, nunc ovaria pedicellata non aquantis, sed 
rarissime. Flores albi roseo aspersi, nunc intense purpureo tincti. Pulchri, qui candidissimi 
petalis labelloque purpureis. Callus albidus scu flavus. Labelli laciniz laterales nunc intus 
flav. Columna alba, nunc antice purpureo striata, area basilari antice purpurea emarginata 
seu flaveola superne purpureo marginata. Non locus est enumerandi copiam varietatum. 
Facillime nominantur, zgerrime in varietatem serie continua iterum recognoscentur. 
VAR. ARMENIACA; petalis labelloque armeniacis. 
This beautiful species was first described in June, 1840, as “ Maxillaria Skinneri, Bate- 
man MSS,, by Dr. Lindley. He calls it the finest Maxillaria he ever saw, the flowers 4% in. 
in diameter, and the lip purply-white, with deep rose in the centre. He omits, however, to 
state its origin. Two years later he published Mr. Bateman’s description in full, adding, how- 
ever, a remarkable note of his own, that the plant previously described under the same name 
was another species, far inferior in beauty, of which a figure would appear in the Botanical 
Register for the following month. This figure duly appeared, as Maxillaria cruenta. There 
/ are two dried flowers preserved in Lindley’s herbarium, carefully labelled “Maxillaria Skinneri, 
Icones analytic. Labellum superne explanatum. Idem a Bot. Reg., 1840, misc. [p. 48, n.] 101,” which prove that the first published M. Skinneri was 
latere, transsectum. Columna antice sine anthera. Apex really our present plant. Lindley simply failed to identify the living specimen with the dried 
column cum anthera, Pollinarium postice visum. one. The description certainly does not apply to M. cruenta, particularly in colour, The 
blunder was an unfortunate one. Prof. Reichenbach tried to clear it up in our first volume 
(p. 91), but with little success, It was also asserted that Mons. J. Linden first discovered the 
plant in 1839. But Linden observes (Pescatorea, sub. t. 39) that it was in February, 1840, in the forests of San Bartholo, in the State of Chiapas, that he first 
met with it, that he sent living specimens to Belgium under the name Maxillaria virginalis, and that it was awarded the first prize as a new plant at the 
Winter Show in 1841 of the Société royale de Flore A Bruxelles. Recently (Lindenia, IV., p. 22) it was argued that the proper name for this plant should be 
Lycaste virginalis. The whole argument is based upon the supposition, now shown to be erroncous, that the original M. Skinneri was not our present species, 
Mr. Skinner evidently discovered the plant in Guatemala prior to February, 1840, for he dried flowers and sent them home to Mr. Bateman, who named and 
passed them on to Dr. Lindley, who in turn drew up a description, which was published as early as June of that year. Nor is it clear to my mind that the 
species first flowered in Belgium, In February, 1842, Lindley announced that “M. Skinneri, the facile princeps of all known Maxillarias, has at length 
flowered in the collection of the Rev. John Clowes.” The “winter of 1841” probably means 1841-2 (not 1840-1, within a year of its discovery), and as 
Lindley’s description would be written in January, 1842, it seems probable either that it flowered simultaneously in the two countries or first in England. I 
have failed to find the precise date of the Show in question ; but think it only right that the confusion should be cleared up, especially as it deprived Mr. 
Skinner of the merit of first discovery of one of the most beautiful plants which bears his name. R. A. Rolfe. 
yb fan) 
Patan ANWAR YY 
AVES 
HA AS 
A LoveELy addition to this easily-grown and very beautiful winter and spring-flowering species. It was shown at the 
Royal Horticultural Society’s meeting on March 15, 1890, and unanimously awarded a first-class certificate, Reginald 
Young, Esq., Fringilla, Sefton Park, Liverpool, being the exhibitor, Its unique colouring drew forth many exclamations 
of surprise, for a similar variety had never been seen before. One can easily call to mind twenty varieties, differing from 
the normal type in many ways, without including the albino of the genus; but this is the only instance that an apricot 
colouring has been observed in the blossoms of Lycaste Skinneri, notwithstanding that for the last twenty years large 
importations have been received, sold, and flowered. In shape and texture the flowers of this unique variety may be 
compared to the best broad-petalled forms of Lycaste Skinneri alba, but it is incomparable in the delicate apricot-hued 
suffusion overspreading the sepals, petals, and labellum. Its chief charm lies in this novel colouring, which also 
suggested to us the name of “armeniaca.” It is one of those very rare gems that at intervals dawn upon the orchid 
world to captivate and delight the enthusiast, and compensate him for his care and watchfulness although in the 
present case it was just the merest chance which of our customers for Lycastes might have. purchased this gem for 
five shillings, as it was one of a batch that was being rapidly disposed of at that price. 
This variety can be as easily cultivated as the most ordinary kind, and should be potted in July, and kept ina 
temperature of about 60 deg. Fahr. until the pseudo-bulbs have completed their growths, when water may be partially 
withheld, and the plants removed to a more airy and cooler temperature. A most important thing in its cultivation is— 
never to allow the pseudo-bulbs to shrivel or the plants will soon perish. In its native habitat it is found growing on 
rocks and mossy banks, in very moist places, in rich humus or vegetable débris, and although long droughts are common 
in its native country, the Lycastes—from their position and the heavy dews they receive—never suffer from them. Under 
cultivation we have often seen from twelve to sixteen flowers produced on a single pseudo-bulb. There are few species 
of orchids for which the admiration of the public so varies as for Lycastes ; some amateurs hardly ever grow them, 
whereas in the collections of others hundreds of plants are cultivated. The reason for some disliking Lycaste Skinneri 
is, perhaps, traceable to a certain roughness in the texture of the flower, thus imparting a granulated surface, this being 
more apparent in the coloured varieties, and which is really necessary to carry out the general arrangement of colour in 
the plant. One is subject to seeing the microscopic beauties in things, and this may account for the objection in bestow- 
ing that praise upon the ordinary coloured forms of Lycaste Skinneri which is unanimously given to the white variety. 
The graceful lines and soft colour of the foliage are perfect settings for the contrasted form and colour of the flowers. 
Our plate was taken from a plant in the collection of Reginald Young, Esq., Fringilla, Sefton Park, Liverpool. 
