The plant grows about a foot in height, and is somewhat like Lelia purpurata 
in its habit of growth, only it is very much smaller and more compact and free- 
blooming. The flowers continue about three weeks in perfection. It requires the 
same kind of treatment as other species of Lelia and Cattleya, and thrives best 
when cultivated in a pot or basket, with fibrous peat, and good drainage. Like the 
rest of its class it requires to be kept as fully.exposed to the light as possible, in 
order that the pseudobulbs may be thoroughly ripened; and the growth being thus 
more completely matured, it will be found to become more vigorous in character, 
and enabled to throw up its flower-spikes more freely. There is a grand specimen 
of this species, over two feet in diameter, in the collection of H. Shaw, Esq, 
Corbar, Buxton. 
L&LIA AUTUMNALIS ATRORUBENS.—It is highly gratifying to find that this 
splendid variety of Lelia autumnalis, is becoming more plentiful, and that it keeps 
up its original character. Many growers were of opinion when it was first intro- 
duced, that the large size of its flowers and the rich colour of the sepals and petals 
were due mainly to superior cultivation and a pure atmosphere, but such is not the 
ease. We have flowered some plants of it this season in our own establishment at 
Holloway, which have been as good, both in regard to the size and colour of the 
flowers, as those of any of the plants grown in a purer atmosphere, away from the 
smoke of this great City. We have received from the Right Honorable J. 
Chamberlain, Esq., M.P., of Birmingham, a splendidly developed spike of a grand 
form of this beautiful variety, which had been grown under the care of his gardener, 
Mr. Cooper.—B. S. W. 
ODONTOGLOSSUM VEXILLARIUM (Autumn-flowering variety)—A short time back 
Mr. W. Bull exhibited at South Kensington a recently imported form of Odontoglossum 
* verillarium, which had all the appearance of being a_ distinct variety, flowermg 
during the autumn months of the year. It is, however, we think, somewhat premature 
to regard this autumn-flowering character as thoroughly established, though there 1s 
no doubt the variety is a distinct one, and remarkably fine in colour. This bemg 
the first time of its flowering, the particular growth shown may have been influenced 
by the time at which the plants were started. However, in due time, and with 
good cultivation we shall see whether this peculiarity of flowering towards the end 
of the year is really a constant character, or whether it may have resulted from 
the circumstances above referred to.—B. §. W. 
