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a | yoy AN IPAUNRIP IRA ITA Lindl. 
LALIA PURPURATA, Lindl. Pseudobulbis fusiformibus subcompressis monophyllis, foliis ligulato-oblongis, pedunculo 3—7-floro, flore maximo 
expanso membranaceo, sepalis oblongo-lanceolatis acutis, petalis paullo latioribus, labello maximo rotundato undulato emarginato obscure trilobo, columna 
clavata subtriquetra. 
LALIA PURPURATA, Lindl. in Paxt. Fl. Gard., III. (1852-3), pp. 111, 112, t. 96; Pescatorea, t. 37; Ill. Hort. III, t. 83; Flore des Serres, t. 1183 ; 
Warn. Sel. Orch., ser. 1, t. 40 ; Jenn. Orch,, t. 22 ; Gard. Chron., 1883, pt. 2, pp. 530, 533, with plate ; etc. 
CATTLEYA BRYSIANA, Lem. Jard. Fleur., III. (1852), t. 275. 
BLETIA PURPURATA, Rchb. f. in. Walp. Ann., VL, p. 423. 
L&LIA CASPERIANA, Rchb. f. in Koch Wochenschrift, II. (1859), p. 336. 
L. Wyartiana, Rchb. f. in Gard. Chron., 1883, pt. 2, p. 426. z 
This splendid species was originally discovered by Devos in 1846, growing on trees, in the island of Santa Catherina, in Southern Brazil. The follow- 
ing year Devos sent plants to the horticultural blist of M. V. I It, of Ghent, Belgium, one of which passed into the establishment of Messrs. 
Backhouse, of York, where it flowered for the first time in this country in 1852, when it was exhibited at a meeting of the Horticultural Society, and described 
by Lindley as one of the most striking novelties which had for a long time been seen. In 1850 M. Brys, of Bornhem, Antwerp, also received plants from the 
same locality, one of which on flowering was thought to be a new Cattleya, and in consequence was described as Cattleya Brysiana, by Lemaire, in 1852. 
Thus it was described and figured by Lindley and Lemaire at about the same time, the latter, however, referring it to the wrong genus. Cattleya Brysiana 
should not be confused with the plant described about five years later as Laelia Brysiana, which is synonymous with L, elegans. Lelia Casperiana and 
L. Wyattiana both appear to me to be simply forms of L. purpurata, as I am unable to find any distinguishing character. The species is very variable in 
colour, and over a dozen varieties have been described. Some of these have the sepals and petals of the purest white, with the front lobe of the lip of the 
richest deep purple, while others have the segments suffused and veined with amethyst-purple in various shades, or the front lobe of the lip white or pale rosy 
lilac with deeper veins, All of them are extremely beautiful. _ R.A, Rolfe. 
Icones analytic, Labellum expansum. Columna fronte visa, 
A wonderful orchid which has been designated “the prince of Lzlias” by some, and by others the “ king of orchids,” and 
without doubt these titles are well merited, for not only are the flowers gorgeous in colouring, but they are also of large 
size and of various shades—from white to the richest crimson-purple and orange, blossoming in the summer months 
and lasting in perfection a long time. ‘No collection is complete without this noble plant. In 1846 Francois Devos 
discovered it in the vicinity of Santa Catharina, and sent plants to Ghent, where they found a home in the celebrated 
horticultural establishment of M. Verschaffelt, who afterwards distributed them; one of these plants was acquired by 
Messrs. Backhouse, of York, who flowered it in 1852, when it was described by Dr. Lindley as L. purpurata. In 1850 
M. Brys, of Antwerp, also obtained plants from the island of Santa Catherina, which on flowering were described as 
Cattleya Brysiana—a name soon superseded by the one given by Lindley. Since its introduction by Devos into Belgium 
from Santa Catherina, no such magnificent Lelia has been discovered in any part of the world, although many rumours 
have from time to time been afloat describing truly marvellous “ finds.” It is not improbable that the next ten years 
may reveal some extraordinary Brazilian treasures, such as Cattleyas, Lzelias, &c., for Brazil is a country teeming with 
epiphytes, and an empire so vast as to be unsearchable. 
L. purpurata is now widely distributed in collections, many amateurs growing quite a large number of plants both 
to enrich and ornament their houses and also for exhibition purposes. Enormous specimens may be seen annually at 
the London and provincial shows, ablaze with huge spikes of noble blossoms, clearly indicating that the culture of this 
regal orchid is now much better understood than formerly, when enormous quantities were stewed to death in hot, shady, 
insufficiently ventilated structures. It shouldbe grown ina bright, sunny position near the glass, with just sufficient 
shading to exclude the hottest of the sun’s rays, and rested when the growths are fully developed by keeping the soil in a 
comparatively dry state. 
Our plate was taken from the collection at Trentham Park, the seat of His Grace the Duke of Sutherland. 
