successful in this branch of culture than others. There is no doubt that it requires 

 a good deal of skill and tact to find out the best sorts for crossing, and also to 

 effect the best crosses ; moreover, it occupies a good deal of time, but we do not 

 know of anything more delightful than this self-imposed task of improving the beauties 

 of nature, and where one can devote attention to it, there must be a great deal 

 of pleasure in watching the progress of one's pets and noting the results of one's 

 labours when they put forth their blossoms. 



Cypripedium melanopJithalmum is an evergreen plant, having light yellowish 

 green foliage with dark reticulations and blotches. The flower stems grow about six 

 inclies high, bearing the interesting flower at the top ; the dorsal sepal is white 

 flushed with purple at the base, and veined with green ; the petals are * bright 

 reddish crimson, with darker veins and black hairy blotches or wart-like spots on 

 the edge ; the pouch is bright crimson with a green base, netted w^ith green and 



reddish brown. 



It requires the same treatment as C. harhatum — that is, it should be potted 

 in rough fibrous peat, with good drainage, and the plant should be well elevated 

 al)0ve the pot-rim, so that tiie roots can run over and also into the soil. These 

 .ints require a good deal of water, nearly all the year round, as they have no 

 thick flesliy bulbs to support them. It must always be borne in mind that they 

 muat 1m' kept free from insects to ensure' successful and satisfactory progress. 



Akfudks Lawrenci.e.— At Stevens' Auction Eooms, on the 19th day of September 

 last, there was a magnificent new Aendes ofi'ered for sale, which realized the large 

 sum of 235 guineas (.1:246 155.), the purchaser being Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., M.P. 

 It is encomaging to see that Orchids are more esteemed than ever they were, ami 

 that in spite of the enormous importations which are continually being received, good 

 things are realising higher prices than ever. This new Aerides resembles in habit 

 a large growing form of A, quinquemdnerum : the flower-spike measures two feet in 

 hiigth, a!id bears thirty- two of its lovely blossoms, which seem to be intermediate 

 between those of A. odoratum and A. quinquevulnerum, possessing the strong aroma 

 of the first-named plant. The flowers are very large, the sepals and petals white 

 tipped with rosy-purple, the lip white marked with rich amethyst. It has just 

 boon named in compliment to Lady Lawrence.— H. W. 



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