LYCASTE SKINNERI ALBA. 
[PuaTe 234.] 
Native of Guatemala. 
Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs oblong-ovate, two to three inches long, compressed, 
furrowed. Leaves persistent, oblong-lanceolate acuminate, membranaceo-herbaceous, 
nervose, dark green. Scapes radical, usually one-flowered, about eight inches long, 
stoutish, green, invested with a few lance-shaped sheathing bracts. lowers large, 
several produced from the base of each pseudobulb, fleshy in texture, white with a tinge 
of pale yellow on the lip, issuing from a green bract-like spathe; sepals spreading, 
the dorsal ovate-oblong bluntish, the lateral ones longer and more decidedly oblong 
acute at the apex, white just tinted with sulphur-yellow near the base; petals 
much smaller, convolute over the column, oblong, the tips recurved, bluntly acute, 
pure white; Up still smaller, concave, white, three-lobed, with the middle lobe 
roundish ovate deflexed, the two erect oblong lateral lobes and the tongue-shaped 
appendage or callosity on the disk of the lip all pale yellow. Column semiterete, 
pubescent in front. | 
: Lycaste SKinNERI ALBA, of gardens; Williams, Orchid-Grower’s Manual, 6 ed., 
381; Floral Magazine, 2 series, t. 35, fig. 1; Pescatorea t. 39, right hand figure 
(a smaller form). 
- 
There can be no question that the varieties of Lycaste Skinnert are amongst the 
most useful of decorative Orchids, for we find so many shades of colour among 
them, they are so free blooming and of such easy culture, and they possess also such 
enduring qualities. For ornamental purposes during the dreary months of autumn and 
Winter there is nothing to surpass, and few subjects to equal them. When Mr. 
Skinner imported these plants, by thousands, we do not remember seeing any white- 
flowered forms, but since then a few white-flowered varieties have been introduced, 
but these, which are a ereat acquisition, are rare, as, indeed, seems to be the case 
with most Orchids, of which white forms have made their appearance among the more 
highly-coloured sorts. There are, indeed, comparatively few white forms amongst the 
many cultivated Orchids, which is to be regretted, as they are so much in favour with 
nearly all who grow these plants, in consequence of their forming such good contrasts 
when mixed among the darker flowers. Of the Lycastes there are, it is true, other 
light coloured forms, which all help to produce a pleasing effect when judiciously 
arranged, and set off by their broad green foliage. Our drawing was taken from 
a fine plant in the well-grown collection of -J. Buchanan, Esq., Oswald Road, 
Morningside, Edinburgh. 
| Lycaste Skinneri alba is an epiphyte, evergreen. from the persistance of its 
foliage, having short thick pseudobulbs, and ribbed or plicate leaves of a dark green 
