with a dull rosy purple colour. Independent of their beautiful colour, these flowers 

 are deliciously fragrant, which considerably enhances their value, as everyone admires 

 sweet-scented flowers. It blooms in our stoves during the months of November 

 and December, and remains in beauty for several weeks. 



The specimen here pourtrayed was grown by Mr. Maulden, the gardener in 

 charge of Mr, Walleyes collection. It was planted in a basket and suspended near 

 the roof-glass, in order that it might receive the full benefit of the sun and light, 

 whilst the potting material was simply rough fibrous peat. All Mexican Orchids 

 require a great amount of sun under cultivation ; a slight shade is, however, bene- 

 ficial during the hottest part of the day, as it prevents the leaves from becoming 

 scorched by the glass. In their native country these plants grow at from 1,000 

 to 6,000 feet elevation exposed to the full sun and rain, where it is very hot 

 during the day, and the nights very cool. While they are growing a liberal 

 supply of water is absolutely necessary for their roots, and a slight syringing daily. 



Obituary (John Day, Esq.). — It is with sincere regret that we here record the 

 death of one of the oldest and most enthusiastic of English Orchid growers, 

 which took place at Tottenham, on Sunday, January 15th, at the age of 63. 

 Mr. Day did much towards the development of the public taste for this class of 

 plants, and was himself one of the most generous investors in good and rare 

 Orchids, as the plants in the two collections which he gathered together during his 

 lifetime fully testified. The first collection he possessed especially, contained some 

 of the choicest species and varieties that were to be found in cultivation ; and we 

 ourselves have from time to time obtained from him, by exchange or purchase, 

 many wonderful specimens of great value. Mr. Day has often assured us that for his 

 knowledge of Orchids, and his success in their cultivation, he was much indebted 

 to the information he derived from a study of the Orchid GtROWEr's Manual, a 

 copy of which he obtained as soon as he commenced his collection of these plants. 

 As a gentleman and neighbour Mr. Day w^as one of the most genial and warm- 

 hearted men we have ever met. He was a clever artist, and took the keenest interest 

 in making coloured drawings of all flowers which he admired, of which he must 

 have left behind him a marvellous and valuable collection, For some years past 

 he was in the habit of taking trips abroad during the winter months to tropical 

 countries, travelling about there in search of Orchids and Ferns in their native 

 wilds, and he frequently succeeded in finding and bringing home some good and 

 rare kinds, which were an increased source of delight to him. His knowledge of 

 Orchids w^as very extensive, and his name will long be remembered with pleasure 

 and reverence by the cultivators of this class of plants. We have had the pleasure 

 of Mr. Day's acquaintance for many years, even before he began the cultivation of 

 Orchids. His first love amongst plants was the Fern family, of which he 

 amassed a fine collection of rare and beautifnl species, and his admiration for 

 these plants continued to the end, notwithstanding his intense love for Orchids. 



B. S. W. 



