54 ORCHIDS. 
CALANTHE VEITCHII. 
THIS variety — represented on Plate No. XIV. — received its 
added name in compliment to a distinguished family of English 
florists — Messrs. Veitch. It is a hybrid; a cross between the 
Limatodes Rosea and Calanthe vestita, and was first grown by Mr. 
Dominy, gardener of James Veitch. Its fine flowers of different 
shades grow on stalks often three feet long, continuing in bloom 
for months. The variety is of easy cultivation, deciduous; and as 
no leaves remain to hide the unsightly bulbs when its blossoms 
are fully opened, florists often conceal them with ferns. 
For winter house decorations this variety is very desirable; 
their only defect is want of foliage. Orchid collections can hardly 
possess too many of them, for they come to cheer us, and are a 
constant pleasure through the winter months. 
We do not claim for this beautiful bulbous plant such anti- 
quity as is mentioned by the poet Tupper —(“On a Bulbous 
Root”). But in appearance, this (as well as many others) seemed 
quite as dead as the wonderful bulb of which he speaks: — 
What, wide awake, sweet stranger, wide awake? 
And laughing coyly at an English sun, 
And blessing him with smiles for having thawed 
Thine icy chain, for having woke thee gently 
From thy long slumber of three thousand years? 
Methinks I see the eye of wonder peering 
From thy tall pistil, looking strangely forth 
As from a watch-tower at thy fellow flowers, 
Admiring much the rich variety 
Of many a gem in nature’s jewel-case — 
Unknown to thee, — 
