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and Cattleya labiata, or its varieties. The first is Laelio-Cattleya X callistoglossa, 
which was originally described in 1882. In this case Cattleya labiata var. Warsce- 
wiczii, better known in gardens as C. gigas, was the pollen parent, and the 
resulting hybrid is perhaps unequalled in size and in the gorgeous colouring 
of the lip. Laelio-Cattleya X bella appeared in 1884. The old autumn-blooming 
Cattleya labiata vera is said to have been the pollen parent, which is very curious, 
unless one or the other of the species was in flower out of its normal season, 
and thus furnished an opportunity for an unusual combination. It is a most 
handsome hybrid. Laelio-Cattleya X Canhamiana appeared in 1885, and in this 
case Cattleya labiata Mossiae was one of the parents. These three originally 
appeared with Messrs James Vertcu & Sons, of Chelsea, but the Jast-named has 
since been raised in other establishments. All are great horticultural acquisitions. 
Respecting the so-called genus Laelio-Cattleya perhaps a word may be said. 
Cattleya and Laelia form two quite natural groups, with four and eight pollen- 
masses respectively, but they readily hybridise together, not only under culti- 
vation, but in two or three instances in a wild state. The resulting hybrids 
strictly speaking do not belong to either genus, but are intermediate in character, 
having four normally developed pollen-masses and four much smaller, sometimes 
nearly abortive ones. Laelio-Cattleya is thus a kind of artificial genus, founded 
for the reception of those hybrids which strictly speaking cannot be said to 
belong to either of the two parent genera. 
R. A. Roire. 
