LALIA ELEGANS BLENHEIMENSE, 
[Puate 393. ] 
Native of Southern Brazil. 
Epiphytal. Stems terete, slender, somewhat clavate, two feet or more high, 
bearing on the summit a pair of thick and leathery leaves; these are linear-oblong, 
ligulate, and bright green. Scape terminal, issuing from a small, oblong, compressed 
sheath, and_ bearing three or four large and showy flowers. Sepals oblong-lanceolate, 
tapering to a point, pale rosy purple, becoming deeper towards the margins ; petals 
much broader than the sepals, waved at the edges, of an intense, deep rosy purple ; 
lip three-lobed, side lobes rolled over the column, anterior lobe deep magenta- 
purple, veined with a deeper shade of the same colour; throat yellow. 
LALIA ELEGANS BLENHEIMENSE, supra. 
There have been, during the last few years, large importations of Lelia elegans, the 
various plants producing a great diversity of colour. It is a species which has been 
in cultivation upwards of forty years, and many fine varieties have from time to time 
appeared. This is doubtless brought about from the plant having been collected in 
many new localities. Indeed, it appears to be so widely spread in Southern Brazil, 
that it does not appear possible to accept the statement of its presumed hybrid origin. 
Hybrids do not usually grow in such quantities, neither are they so widely distributed. 
It is very curious also, how, as a rule, the white or light-flowered varieties are mostly 
spring and early summer bloomers, whilst the darker forms are more often produced 
during late summer and autumn, the colours varying from pure white to rose, and 
even to the richest and deepest magenta and crimson; but it is only within the last 
_ few years that we have had so many of the dark-flowered varieties. Collectors have 
been fortunate enough to largely increase our stores of late, and they, being free 
growers and profuse bloomers, have proved a decided acquisition. 
The one whose portrait we here lay before our readers is a charming variety. 
It first flowered at Blenheim, the seat of His Grace the Duke of Marlborough, 
after which it derives its varietal name. Our drawing was taken in the collection 
of Orchids which are gathered together at this place, which is a very large one; the 
vigour of the plants one and all testifying to the skill and energy of Mr. Whillans, 
who has charge of this fine establishment. oe 
Lelia elegans Blenheimense is a magnificent variety, with fine evergreen foliage. — 
It has slender, terete stems some two feet high, bearing on the summit a pair of © 
linear, oblong, coriaceous leaves. The flowers proceed from a small sheath situated — : Be 
between the leaves; these are well formed and of good substance, and — os 
0 
