base a yellow crest. The plant has been termed a hard one to cultivate successfully 
for any length of time, and we think perhaps this has been from the want of having 
it well drained, for we do not think it likes much soil about its roots, neither does it 
thrive if any water is allowed to lie about it. For this reason we must say that 
we have seen this plant doing best upon a block of wood, although we have grown 
it for years under pot culture, using for it somewhat small pots, well drained, and 
for soil, good upland peat fibre mixed with chopped sphagnum moss. It thrives in 
the cool end of the Cattleya house, with a nice moist atmosphere when growing, but 
we cannot say that we have found it to like watering overhead from the syringe. The 
sunshine is quite genial to it when not too strong, but at these times a thin shade 
should always be in readiness to put over it. When growing, water may be freely 
given, provided the drainage is kept in good open order, so that it can quickly 
percolate away. In the resting season, although much less moisture is necessary to its 
well-being, the surroundings must never be allowed to become dry enough to shrivel the 
bulbs, for it is a very bad plant to recover and to bring again into good health 
if allowed to shrivel up through over drying. If grown upon wood, it requires 
extra care to bring it safely through the resting season. 
A Gigantic CattLeya (Cattleya gigas Sanderiana).—This is a grand form which 
we received from Mr. Holmes, gardener to G. Hardy, Esq., Pickering Lodge, Timperley, 
Cheshire. It measured ten inches across the petals, which were prettily frilled, the 
lip bemg some four inches long and three inches broad, and of an intense rich 
velvety crimson, with two large yellow eye-like spots beside the throat. The sepals — 
and petals were of a rich rosy purple. I[t is the largest Cattleya that has ever 
come under our notice.—W. H. G. 
CYPRIPEDIUM CALLOSUM SaANDERa.—This is a superb novelty now flowering with 
R. H. Measures, Esq., The Woodlands, Streatham, in his rich collection of these 
Slipper Orchids. It is a very graceful flower, its depressed petals giving it a very 
elegant and distinct appearance; these, as well as the large dorsal sepal, are pure 
white, having the veins of a bright green. It is very singular that so many of 
our good Orchids develop these albino forms, which are highly appreciated by the 
owner of this grand collection of Cypripediums.—W. H. G. 
