[ ror ] 
CATTLEYA AMETHYSTOGLOSSA Lind, ef Rehb. f 
Pseudobulbis elatis teretibus superne sensim incrassatis inferne sulcatis ; foliis binis lanceolato-oblongis obtusis ; racemo- valido erecto multifloro ; 
floribus speciosis ; sepalis petalisque albis roseo-suffusis et purpureo-maculatis ; sepalo postico oblongo obtuso, lateralibus paullo latioribus subfalcatis } petalis 
obovato-oblongis ; labello profunde trilobo, lobis lateralibus circa columnam convolutis late oblongis obtusis apice subreflexis, lobo intermedio late obcordato- 
bilobo, roseo-violaceo, disco corrugato et papilloso ; columna clavata arcuata, 
CATTLEYA AMETHYSTOGLOSSA, Lind. et Rchb. f. ex Warn. Sel, Orch., ser. 1, t. 2; Rchb. f. in Gard. Chron., 1866, p. 315 (in part), cum xyl.; Warner 
in Gard. Chron., 1866, p. 365 ; Ill. Hort., XIV., t. 538; Bot. Mag,, t. 5683 ; Revue Hort. 1869, p. 210, cum ic. 
CATTLEYA GUTTATA var. PRINZU, Rchb. f. in Bonplandia IV. (1856), p. 327; Veitch Man, Orch. Pl, pt. 2, p. 37, cum xyl.; Rolfe in Gard. Chron., 
1889, pt. I, p. 619. 
EPIDENDRUM ELATIUS var. PRINZII, Rchb.f, Xen. Orch Il; -p. 33, et p..073) t.172) fig, 1. 
CATTLEYA GUTTATA var. KETELEERII, Houllet in Revue Hort., 1875, p. 350, cum ic. 
This fine winter-flowering Cattleya was originally described in Seemann’s Bonplandia, in 1856, by Reichenbach, as C. guttata var. Prinzii, from the 
collection of Herr Reichenheim. Nothing further was then stated about its origin. In 1862, however, it was figured in Warner’s Select Orchidaceous Plants, 
under the name of Cattleya amethystoglossa, from a plant which first bloomed in the collection of the late F. Coventry, Esq., of Shirley, Southampton, whence 
it passed into the collection of R. Warner, Esq. of Broomfield. In 1866 Reichenbach wrote in the Gardeners’ Chronicle, p. 315 : “Cattleya amethystoglossa 
was introduced long ago by M. Linden, and there are some specimens of the original type scattered about on the Continent. In England the species has not 
been well understood, Mr. R. Warner having unfortunately represented the splendid white and amethyst variety of Cattleya guttata which we have called 
Prinzii in lieu of the true plant.” To which Mr. Warner replied on p. 365: “The misfortune, if any, arises from M. Linden having many years ago sent to 
England, under the name attached to it, the plant from which my drawing was taken. Mine is the original plant.” There are two references to the name 
earlier than Warner’s, but as there is not a word of description to settle the doubtful point, these have been here disregarded. Certain it is that the species 
here figured is the one which has always been known under this name since the original description appeared, and as it is specifically distinct from Cattleya 
guttata, Lindl, to which Reichenbach referred it, the name must be retained. Reichenbach, in his Xenia Orchidacea, states that he wrote the name 
“amethystoglossa” by mistake for “ porphyroglossa,” but this point may be left until his Herbarium is opened in a quarter of a century’s time, for if it prove 
correct it will not affect the present issue, as C. porphyroglossa is a perfectly distinct species, seldom seen in cultivation. Botanically speaking the three 
species, together with C. granulosa, Lindl. are closely allied, but a recent examination of more complete materials has shown that each has constant and 
distinguishing features, both in shape and colour, which entitle them to specific rank. C. amethystoglossa is the only one to which this has been denied, yet it 
is no less distinct than the others in shape and much more so in colour. R. A. Rolfe. 
Icones analytice. Labellum expansum. Columna fronte et a latere visa. 
Tus noble orchid is deserving of a place in any collection, however choice and select ; and although the flowers are not 
nearly so large as those of the magnificent labiata section of Cattleyas, the size is amply made up by the number of 
blossoms produced on a single inflorescence. The flowers are also very brilliantly coloured, spotted and blotched, in all 
the many varieties that occur in a large importation. The sepals and petals are usually light rosy-purple, suffused with 
yellowish-white, and more or less spotted with bright amethyst, the spotting being much denser towards the margins. 
The front lobe of the lip is, however, the piéce de résistance, and is of a lovely amethyst-purple, with numerous papillee. 
This species is only to be found in the province of Bahia, and generally growing upon rocks, fully exposed to the sun, 
but never at a very great distance inland. It fairly revels in a scorching heat, and is not killed by the great droughts 
which annually occur, although they become much shrivelled. As soon, however, as the copious rains set in, the pseudo- 
bulbs and leaves quickly regain their plumpness, and the young growths issue forth from the main stems, growing with 
surprising vigour. 
From the foregoing the cultivator may readily gather the kind of treatment this plant requires in cultivation, viz., 
a high temperature when growing, with as much light as possible without scorching, and an abundance of water—with a 
decided season of rest after the growths are completed. 
Our plate was taken from a plant in the collection of the Duke de Massa, Chateau de Franconville sur Bois, par Luzarches, S. et O., France. 
