L^LIA ELEGANS MORRENIANA. 



[Plate 331.] 



Jfative of Brazil 



Epiphytal. _ Rhizome stout. Pseuclobulbs erect, terete, clustered, about a foot 

 and a half high. Leaves in pairs, linear- oblong, obtuse, some eight inches in 

 length, leathery in texture, " and deep green. Scape terminal, erect^ issuing from an 

 oblong, compressed spathe, and bearing a raceme of seven or more flowers, which 

 are very fragrant, each of which measure about six inches in diameter. Sepals 

 oblong-lanceolate, the tips recurved, and of a uniform deep mage nta- rose ; petals 

 much broader than the sepals, obovate, acute, much undulated, and of the same 

 rich colour as the sepals ; lip three-lobed, the side lobes rolled completely over 

 the column, and reflexed at the edges, white on the outside, the reflexed tips 

 bemg magenta- crimson ; anterior lobe large, broad and flat, crenate, and undulated 

 at the^ margin, broadly spathulate, and rich deep magenta- crimson in colour, veined 

 with lines of a deeper hue, and margined with lilac. 



L.^LiA ELEGANS IMoRREXiANA, Relchcnhacli fil. M.S. 



L(2lia elegdns is generally supposed to be a natural hybrid, and consequently 

 varies considerably both in the shape and colour of its flowers, but we have 

 no hesitation in saying that the magnificent form here figured, and named by 

 Professor Reichenbach L. elegans Morreniana, is one of the very finest that has 

 ever come to our notice. The brilliant racemes of flower, and the exquisite colour 

 of the blossoms will be readily acknowledged by a reference to our plate, which is a 

 faithful representation by our artist, Mr. J. N. Fitch. The plant figured was imported 

 and grown u^jon its native block, arriving in this country in the month of February, 

 1887, and it flowered in October of the same year. This, season of the year we 

 consider the best time to receive consignments of Orchids from abroad, especially 

 those requiring intermediate temperature, as at this time the eyes are generally 

 dormant and in good condition for starting, and the whole summer is before them, 

 in which they can make good growth and ripen it well. The plant from which 

 our illustration was taken flowered in the Victoria and Paradise Nurseries, and 

 afterwards passed into the collection of R. H. Measures, Esq., The Woodlands, 

 Streatham, who thus becomes possessed of the entire stock of this fine form. 

 As before remarked, it is wonderful how this species varies both in form and 



colour; one seldom finds two plants with flowers exactly alike. The dark-flowered 



forms are . the most rare, and the greater part of these bloom late in the season, 

 that is to say, during the months of August, September, and October, which 

 renders them more valuable, as Orchid flowers just, at that season become some- 



