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WHAT CONSTITUTES, A BEAUTIFUL CATTLEYA MOSSIAE? 
Since the latter part of April, we have received a certain number of Orchid blooms, 
and especially many of Cattleya Mossiae, sent by subscribers who ask “ What is this 
variety? ” and also “ Is it a good variety? ” 
We reply to our correspondents to the best of our ability, but questions of this 
kind suggest two generally unfavourable observations concerning which we here wish 
to speak in detail. 
First of all, what may be called a “ good variety ” of Cattleya Mossiae? 
In the opinion of good judges, the qualities to be looked for in a fine variety 
are as follows : — a bright colour, that is to say, the sepals and petals should 
be bright rose; the lip blotched with brilliant purple red, and the yellow blotch at 
each side of the opening very brilliant and well defined; size, that is to say, all 
the segments should be large; then a good appearance, with sepals and more 
especially the petals well open and spreading, the petals being gracefully recurved 
like the wings of a bird in full flight. These characteristics are to be found in 
C. M. Linden’s Champion, Empress Queen, Moortebeekiensis, Lucienne, Fohn Schulz, Amis 
Alexis, triumphans, exquisita, etc., which are perhaps the most imposing forms we 
have yet seen. 
If “ rules for judging ” Cattleyas were formulated, and especially for C. Mossiae 
that is doubtless the lines upon which they would be drawn up; but they would 
not be complete without the addition of a few remarks. 
The type just described is that generally most highly esteemed among the existing 
forms of C. Mossiae: It is a choice from among a crowd. There exist however very 
rare and much appreciated forms, which do not altogether conform to this type. In 
the first place, and as an example of the exceptions, we may mention the white 
varieties which are exceedingly rare. There are also varieties which have only the 
sepals and petals white, and these are sometimes highly esteemed, such as C. Mossiae 
‘alba coelestis, which has flowered for the first time at Brussels and has been figured 
in the Lindenia. This remarkable variety has a white lip with a large orange-yellow 
blotch on the disc and the edges of the throat, and some bright lilac lines in front. 
In C. Mossiae Reineckiana, the lip is decorated with a graceful tracery of more or 
less spreading red lines, and Mr. Piret’s C. Mossiae variabilis has white segments, 
a red lip lightly tinged with violet, and each side of opening striped with yellow 
and buff. This last variety however has flowers smaller than usual and a quite different 
but always beautiful appearance, and may perhaps be a natural hybrid rather than a 
variety of C. Mossiae. 
Other distinct forms may also merit the title of “ good varieties ” if they possess 
a rare colour in conjunction with a good aspect and large segments — features which 
should always exist. At the same time personal taste always reserves its rights when 
it is a question of choosing between two varieties which come under this category 
and exhibit these qualities. 
As to the names of varieties, they are not often easily indicated owing to the 
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