CATTLEYAS 817 
CATTLEYAS 
Naturai Order ORCHIDEZ. Genus Cattleya 
CarrLEyA (named in honour of William Cattley, a “ patron of 
botany” and collector of rare plants). A genus of about twenty-five 
species of evergreen pseudo-bulbous Orchids, with usually a solitary 
leathery leaf from the apex of the pseudo-bulb; in some species there 
are two or even three leaves. The flowers are often 7 or 8 inches across, 
of rich colours, and are borne in a raceme from the top of the pseudo- 
bulb. They have a single series of four pollen-masses. They are 
natives of the warmer parts of America, from Brazil to Mexico, and 
grow at an altitude between 4000 and 6000 feet. 
ee The introduction of living Cattleyas began in the 
"year 1815, when C. Loddigesii came from Brazil. This 
was followed three years later by C. labiata, the prototype of many 
beautiful varieties, of which one of the best is figured in our Plate 239. 
Yet another three years and C. Forbesit was introduced, followed by 
C. intermedia (1824), and C. guttata (1827). Thus the first five members 
of this magnificent genus all came from Brazil. In 1836 La Guayra 
yielded the var. Mossiw of C. labiata, and in the same year came 
C. Skinneri from Guatemala. Three years later Brazil showed that 
her good things had not been exhausted, by sending C. Aclandic, and 
two years later still C. granulosa. All these are fine plants, that hold 
favoured positions in public esteem to-day in spite of many more recent 
introductions, and the home production of many splendid hybrids. 
The var. Triane of C. laubiata came from the Cordilleras in 1856, 
C. schilleriana from Brazil in 1857, and the var. Warscewiezii from 
Columbia in 1867. The genus holds the first place in the estimation 
of growers, and some of the species and varieties have realised high 
prices at public auction. Perhaps this has been more especially the case 
with varieties and secondary varieties of C. labiata; for instance, £250 
has been paid for a fine form of the var. Triane, and Triane 
Dodgsonii has realised £194, 5s., Triune Osmanii £225, 15s., and the 
var. percivaliana £231. These prices do not continue when a stock 
has been obtained, and the last-mentioned variety may to-day be 
found offered in dealers’ catalogues for half a guinea. There are also 
many hybrids of garden origin. 
: CATTLEYA ACLANDLE (Acland’s). Pseudo-bulbs slender, 
ee ae inches high; leaves oval, leathery. Flowers in 
1vV.—6 
