: 
q 
Y 
4 
26 
Oo2 
For many years it remained excessively rare, until further importations were 
received. In 1887, Messrs VEITCH PemarkedsOteites a. A supposed hybrid of 
dvanced, but that which ascribes its 
whose origin various hypotheses have been a 
ta forms, with which it has been 
parentage to C. bicolor and one of the C. gutta 
imported, appears to be supported by the best evidence.... Recent importations 
of this Cattleya from Brazil prove that it exists in numbers much less restricted 
than is usually the case with supposed hybrids; it may, therefore, hereafter 
receive specific rank. ” 
In 1889, for the first time, I had the opportunity of examining living flowers, 
and wrote — “ I fail to find any trace of hybrid origin, and believe it to be a 
genuine and very distinct species, not approaching any other in the peculiar 
form of the lip. ” 
From these remarks it will be seen that for many years this beautiful Cattleya 
was regarded as a plant of very doubtful origin. How it ever came to be regarded 
as a natural hybrid I cannot conceive, for there is no combination of species 
which could possibly yield a lip like that of C. velutina, and the same remark 
also applies to the sepals and petals. The apparent rarity of the plant perhaps 
lent some support to the hypothesis, but rarity is of itself no test, otherwise the 
remarkable Cattleya iricolor Reus. F. might be regarded as a natural hybrid, as 
for nearly twenty years it has only been known from one or two plants. But here 
again it may be observed that no possible combination would produce a hybrid 
similar in character. Like C. velutina, it is probably common enough in its 
unknown habitat, which sooner or later will probably be discovered, when the 
plant may become more common in cultivation. Cattleya Dormaniana Reus. F. 
is another plant which for a long period was considered to be a natural hybrid, 
though for no better reason. 
To neuen to Cattleya velutina, a glance at our illustration will give a better 
ean ae coe and petals and veined lip than the longest 
ot , succeed under the same treatment as is 
given to C. bicolor, C. granulosa, and other of the Brazilian Cattleyas. 
R. A. Roire. 
