spotted with magenta purple, and the lip is more heavily marked with the same 
rich colour. The blossoms are produced during August and September, and they will 
last three weeks in beauty. This specimen was grown in a basket with sphagnum 
moss and well drained, and had not too much material placed about the roots. 
These plants are found growing on trees in their native country, so that their 
roots are not confined, but grow as they please, clinging to the branches and thus 
obtaining the full benefit of the atmospheric heat and moisture, as well as of the 
rains and heavy dews. In the dry season they are thus sufficiently provided with 
moisture during the night. In the wet season they commence growing and flowering, 
and at that period they get a large amount of rain, which is beneficial to them, being . 
provided by Nature for their sustenance. We should try to imitate these climatic 
conditions as nearly as possible, by growing them in baskets with as little material 
about them as possible, and then their roots will have a chance to grow outside 
the material, suspended in the house where they will derive a good deal of 
nourishment for their roots and foliage. This is much better than giving them too 
much water directly. The material should be kept a little moist during the resting 
time, and even in the growing season too much water would be injurious. No 
doubt many plants are lost through careless treatment, such as giving water at an 
improper time. They require most careful attention, with the heat of the warmest 
end of the East India house. The glass must be shaded from the hot sun, as 
we have so often recommended. These plants frequently get injured by bad usage, 
when cleaned by persons who do not understand. their requirements, for if the 
foliage gets bruised it will often rot, and will certainly disfigure the plant, which 
is very distasteful to those who like perfect specimens. 
ODONTOGLOSSUM VEXILLARIUM.—At the second summer show of the Royal Botanic 
Society held in June this year, a wonderful specimen of Odontoglossum vexillarium 
was exhibited by Mr. James Douglas, gardener to Francis Whitbourn, Esq., Great 
Gearies, Ilford. The plant was about three feet in diameter, and bore forty-seven 
spikes supporting two hundred and ninety (290) flowers. This plant was a marv el 
of cultivation, and we must congratulate Mr. Douglas on his success in the culti- 
vation of this section of Odontoglossums. This same gentleman also exhibited at 
the first summer show some fine examples of Odontoglossum Roezlii, cultivated in 
the same successful style—H. W. 
