CATTLEYA BOWEINGIANA. 



[Plate 323.] 



J^cdive of British Honduras 



Epiphytal. Pseudohulhs erect, clavate, swollen at the base, when young envo- 



ped in large loose sheaths, and from nine inches to a foot long. Leaves in pairs, 



narrowly oblong, obtuse, some six or eio;ht inches in length and about two inches in 



^*-. *„ ^„ *""o 



breadth, thick and leathery in texture, and deep green. Peduncle issuing fi 

 between the leaves, enveloped in a somewhat narrow compressed pale green sheath, 

 many-flowered. Flowers very highly coloured, and about three inches in diameter ; 

 sepals oblong- acute ; petals much broader than the sepals, oblong-ovate and obtuse, 

 all of a rich rosy purple, the netted veins being of a deeper hue ; lij) ellijitical 

 or oblong- oval, the basal part rolled over the column, the colour of the outside 

 being rosy purple, front portion of the lip spreading, of a deep 

 throat white. 



maroon 



Cattleya Bowringiana, Veitch, Catalogue, 1886, p. 10; Id. Manual 

 Orchidaceoics Plants, pp. 31 — 2, with figs. 



■ 



Cattleya autumnalis, Hort. 



The subject of our plate is a newly introduced Cattleya, and one that will 

 become a general favourite among growers for its distinct colour, and blooming 

 as it does during autumn when few Cattleyas are in flower. This plant was intro- 

 duced by the Messrs. Veitch & Sons, of Chelsea, in the year 1884, from British 

 Honduras in Central America. It was found on cliffs by the side of streams, in 

 close proximity to waterfalls, where these plants obtain a large amount of moisture 

 during the whole year ; w^hilst in the growing season the heavy rain falls induce the 

 plants to make rapid growth. It must, however, be borne in mind that all through 

 these excessive rainfalls they have a free circulation of air both night and day, 

 which helps to strengthen their growth and bring their bulbs to maturity ; if, on 

 the other hand, we were to give these plants the same amount of moisture under 

 ass we should soon destroy their young growth and roots. This was originally a 

 rare plant, but last year large importations were received which have considerably 

 reduced the price. The colour and shape of the flowers resemble C. SUnneri, but 

 the bulbs are different, especially at their base, which is very peculiar in shape, 

 and somewhat similar to those of Epidendnim ciliare. 



Our plate is the portrait of a plant taken by Mr. Fitch from the fine collec- 



tion of F. G. Tautz, Esq., Studley House, Shepherd's Bush, where it bloomed last 

 autumn under the care of Mr. Cowley, the gardener. 



