520 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE 
be taken in watering Cuttleyus, to prevent moisture lodging about the 
base of the leaves, ete. Block-culture as prescribed for Dendrobiwms 
applies equally to Cattleyas grown in that fashion. A long season of rest 
must be allowed after flowering, to ensure a good display next season. 
Abundant water is essential when growing, and at this period the plants 
should be in a temperature ranging from 75° to 85°. During the resting 
period this may be reduced to from 65° to 70°, and water given only 
when necessary to keep the pseudo-bulbs fairly plump. Many hybrid 
Cattleyas have been raised, and with few exceptions they are all 
beautiful additions to the genus. They are, however, very rare, and as 
yet too expensive for most collectors. 
Description of Cattleya labiata, var. Mossic, about one-third less than 
Plate 239. the natural size. 
LALIAS 
Natural Order ORCHIDEH. Genus Lelia 
L&LIA (named after a Vesta Virgin). A genus of about thirty species 
of Orchids, closely allied to Cattleya, from which, in fact, they are 
‘separated chiefly on account of the pollen-masses being eight in a 
double series instead of a single group of four. It was thought when 
the genus was established that there were other differences, but this 
distinction has broken down with the knowledge of a larger number 
- of species. They are natives of the warmer parts of America, from 
Brazil to Mexico. 
Lelias are of more recent introduction than Cattleyas, 
for L. Perrinii, which appears to have been the first species 
to reach England in a living state, did not arrive from Brazil until 1831, 
followed about 1834 by L. anceps from Mexico. L. cinnabarina, from 
Brazil, was introduced in 1836. ZL. majalis, the beautiful May-flower of 
the Mexicans, arrived in 1838, in which year also came L. albida, L. 
autumnalis and L. furfwracea, from the same country. The magnificent 
L. purpurata, whose portrait forms the Frontispiece to the present volume, 
was introduced from Brazil in 1852. Some fine hybrids have been pro- 
duced, which are included in this genus. L. flammea is the result of a 
cross between L. cinnabarina and L. Pilcheriana, the last a hybrid 
between L. Perrinii and Cattleya crispa; L. philbrickiana had origin in 
an alliance between L. elegans and Cattleya Aclandiw; L. callistoglossa 
is a hybrid between L. purpuwrata and Cattleya labiata, var. Warscewicz1. 
History. 
