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25 
PL. DLVIII. 
CATTLEYA MAXIMA uot. var. VIRGINALIS +. uno. 
LARGEST CATTLEYA, VIRGINAL VARIETY. 
CATTLEYA. Vide Lindenia, I, p. 15. 
Cattleya maxima. Vide Lindenia, I, p. 29. 
Var. virginalis L. Linp., infra. 
tie 0 the general revision of this species, published at page 7 of Vo- 
lume XI of this work, two main sections were established — one, having 
comparatively short pseudobulbs, and also comparatively short and 
few flowered peduncles; the other, which includes C. maxima floribunda, having 
longer pseudobulbs, and longer peduncles with several flowers. The new variety 
which we now figure belongs to the first section, as does also C. maxima 
Malouana a figure of which appeared in this work some years back. The Lindenia 
has thus been the means of representing two examples from each section — 
one very bright in colour, the other very pale. 
The variety virginalis, which appeared some months ago in the importations 
of the Horricutture INTERNATIONALE, is extremely interesting on account of the 
contrasts in colour which it presents, and because of its white sepals and petals. 
The lip is a little more suffused with rose than is that of the variety alba, and the 
petals are veined with faint rose — a feature not existing in the other form. 
It may be noted by the way that the variety named alba is not entirely white, 
true albinoism being apparently very rare in C. maxima. While other Cattleyas 
have white forms in which the yellow of the disc alone remains, in this species, 
the characteristic red lines covering the lip with a graceful network, and the yellow 
streak dividing them, are preserved in all the known forms of C. maxima. 
C. m. virginalis is remarkable not only for its colour, but also for the size of 
its flowers and their graceful appearance. The petals are broader and more 
extended than in the ordinary type, and the lip is at least half as large again. 
The actual re-introduction of C. maxima to cultivation is a matter for con- 
gratulation. Formerly regarded as a rarity, it now occupies in every collection the 
prominent position to which it is entitled. From a floral point of view this species 
is exceptionally valuable owing to the period at which it flowers being prolonged 
beyond that of C. Warocqueana. By its means amateurs can thus count upon 
having flowers at a season when they are most needed. 
Ue 
Ue 
