plants, and it likes an abundance of water when growing, but we usually hang it up 
near the glass to rest, taking care that it does not miss just enough moisture at that 
season, to keep the pseudobulbs from shrivelling or its leaves from turning yellow, 
because if this latter should happen it sadly robs the plant of beauty when in 
flower. The pots or baskets must be well drained, and this should always have 
special attention, even with the most common plant, for no plant can thrive well 
unless it is well and sufficiently drained. Good brown peat fibre and chopped 
sphagnum moss should be used, and the plant elevated a little above the pot’s 
rim. 
CaTrLEYA MAXxIMA.—We have received from Mr. Crispin, an amateur grower of 
Bristol, some remarkably good flowers of this species. In his letter he says they 
are from the short-bulbed form. It was about forty years ago when we first saw 
this species blooming, and at that time it struck us as singular, and the same ~ 
thought has frequently occurred, how Lindley could give it the name of 
masima, when Mr. Cattley’s plant, upon which Lindley established the genus (C. 
labiata), bore larger flowers than this. Cattleyas and Lelias would appear to 
form a great feature in Mr. Crispin’s collection, and that gentleman informs us 
that he has a quantity of the /abiata showing flower, one having twenty-one blooms" 
just opening—this must be magnificent. He also says that he has Lelia Perrinin 
with seventeen blooms, and Cattleya Bowringiana with numerous fine spikes, which 
undoubtedly -have a grand effect, more especially as he has a quantity of 
Cypripediums and other things in full beauty.—W. H. G 
