purple, and the lip has the side lobes yellow, and is white in front, and distinctly 
striped with violet. Mr. Spyers says it blooms in September and October, when its 
fragrance, combined with its distinct colour, renders it a very acceptable inmate of 
the Orchid house; it also flowers at a time when few other Cattleyas are in bloom, 
Cattleya velutina requires the same treatment as the other Cattleyas, that is, 
to be potted in peat soil with good drainage; it does not need so much water 
at the roots as some kinds, but it should be borne in mind, on the other hand, that 
it must not be allowed to shrivel, and therefore a little moisture should always be 
supplied to the roots. If the plant once gets into an unhealthy condition its re- 
covery will be very doubtful. Those of the Cattleyas, such as\ C. bicolor and C. 
velutina, which have very slender bulbs are more liable to go wrong than those that 
form thick fleshy bulbs, the latter having more substance from which to draw their 
support. They require to be kept near the light, with very little shade, excepting 
just sufficient to keep them from the burning sun. 
Like other Cattleyas, this species is subject to the inroads of the scale insect, 
which should be frequently sought for, and, if found, promptly removed. The foliage 
should be kept in a plump condition and not allowed to shrivel. In cleansing the 
leaves injury is often caused by too hard rubbing, by which they become bruised; 
rather should they be handled delicately, as, if once damaged, they cannot be 
restored to a sound healthy appearance. A damaged leaf is not only a disfigure- 
ment, but is of great injury to the health of the plant, by interfering with the 
action of its pores. Cleanliness is one of the great secrets of success in plant 
cultivation, but the operation of cleansing should be taken in hand before the insects 
get a-head, or they will assuredly eat into the leaves, which will thus become 
permanently injured at the points of attack. 
Dr. ArNswortn’s OrcHws.—When in Manchester we had the pleasure of visiting 
the collection of R. F. Ainsworth, Esq., M.D., in whose fine and varied ol 
the plant that most especially attracted our attention was Masdevallia Chimera, 
blossoms of which were very large, each flower measuring seventeen inches ae 
The effect of these beautiful and curiously spotted flowers hanging around the : 
was very striking. We have had it sent to us to figure, but the flowers a ie 
travel well; we hope, however, some day, when it is in bloom, to be able of 
figure it. We also noticed, in the same house, a wonderfully fine form re 
Odontoglossum Alexandre, with broad sepals and petals of beautiful white, while < 
centre of the petals is marked with a pleasing rose colour, which gives ae ra 
pretty appearance; the lip is large, white, beautifully crisped round the ¢ ge 
upper part bright orange-yellow. It was, altogether, a very showy pe Be, 
Mitchell, the gardener, said it had been in bloom for several weeks, and 1 
still fresh and fine when we saw it. : 
