during their journey. We have heard of thousands of plants of this particular species 
having been sent off, but of these comparatively few have been received alive, so that 
unless some more successful means of introducing them into England can be found, 
it will always remain a rare plant. 
Masdevallia, Shuttleworthi is of free-blooming habit, and the flowers last a long 
time in perfection. It generally blossoms during the spring and ‘summer months. 
The plants require but little room, as the foliage is of neat growth, and the whole | 
height of the plant does not exceed from six to eight inches. The leaves are of a 
dark green colour and firm texture. The flower-scapes proceed from the young growth, 
and attain the height of about eight inches, the more conspicuous spreading long- 
tailed sepals being of a pleasing yellowish rose colour thickly marked with wine-re 
spots, while the petals and lip are small and inconspicuous. : 
We find the plants grow well when potted in small pots or pans suspended from 
the roof, and filled with peat and sphagnum moss; but they require thorough drainage, 
since they need a liberal supply of water during summer. In the autumn and 
winter months they do not require so full a supply, but they must have sufficient 
to keep them moist. They thrive best in the same house with the Odontoglots, — 
where they obtain shade, and are kept cool. None of the Masdevallias like heat, 
and most of them require the same kind of treatment. The house in which they 
are grown should have a north aspect, so that they may not get too much sun-heat, 
as this causes the leaves to become spotted, to the great disfigurement of the plant. 
Insects become a nuisance if allowed to accumulate on the plants. The thrips, 
which is one of their greatest insect enemies, constantly attacks them, and must be 
subdued by cleansing them frequently and thoroughly with a sponge and warm 
soft water. 
The propagation of Masdevallias is effected by dividing the plants, leaving a few 
old bulbs with a leading one in front. They are the easiest of all Orchids to 
increase, and are best divided up occasionally, as when the plants get too large 
they do not flower so freely. The most suitable time to perform this operation is 
just as they commence to make their growth. They should at first be put into 
small pots, and shifted into larger ones as they increase in size, and develope abundance 
of roots. } 
Lava PxrvpricKtana.—This new Hybrid was exhibited at the Royal Horti- 
cultural Society, South Kensington, by the Messrs. Veitch and Sons. It was raised 
between Cattleya Aclandie and Lelia elegans, partaking of the dwarf habit of 
C. Aclandie. The plant grows about eight inches high, and produces its leaves in 
pairs, of a dark green colour, about four inches in length; from between these the 
flower-sheaths proceed. The sepals and petals are of a glossy purplish crimson- 
brown, spotted with darker spots; the lip is of a bright crimson, the basal part 
purple and white. It blooms in June and July, and will be a very useful addition 
to our collections.—B. S. W. 
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