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There is a natural group of species consisting of C. Euitaia, C. Leopoldi, 
C. amethystoglossa, C. porphyroglossa, C. granulosa, C. Dormaniana, and of recent 
introductions C. Victoria-Regina, and C. Batalinit, to which C. Alexandrae is 
certainly allied, on account of the general agreement in the structure of the 
flower. It differs from everyone of these in the great length of the peduncles, a 
peculiarity which on the score of utility to the plant it seems difficult to account 
for. But, neglecting this character, it appears to be more closely allied to 
C. Leopoldi than to any of the others, because of the great similarity between the 
lips of the two species. There is also a certain similarity in the sepals and 
petals of the two species, though in C. Alexandrae they are much more undu- 
late than in the other, a peculiarity which gives a particular charm to this 
recent addition to the genus. 
After another season’s growth it is probable that many of the plants will 
have become at least semi-established, and a good show of. flowers may be 
anticipated. Too much could not be expected during the present season from a 
Cattleya which flowers from the young growths. Had it been one which flowered 
from the matured pseudobulbs of the preceding year, a very different result would 
have been witnessed. 
There is one feature about this Cattleya to which, in conclusion, attention 
may be called, namely its probable utility for hybridisation purposes. So distinct 
a Cattleya, if crossed with the large and richly coloured forms of the labiata 
group, could scarcely fail to yield some remarkable results. 
R. A. Rotre. 
Since the above was written, we have received from Tu. Sratrer, Esq., 
of Whitefield, Manchester, a letter of which we may give the following extract : 
“ I know you will be anxious to hear my report of the flower, as it is one of 
your plants from your sale at Stevens. The spike has only two flowers, but is a 
very long spike. You cannot expect many flowers, being an imported piece and 
not a large one. My opinion, also the opinion of my grower Mr Jounson, is that 
it is a charming thing, a bijou for a gentleman’s button-hole. The lip is broad 
and fine considering the size of the flower, rich dark mauve, with light edging ; 
the labellum is complete and well shaped, a light pink, the sepals and petals 
rich coppery bronze. The petals turn in on the lower extremity, so that, whenever 
the plant flowers to perfection, it must be noted a fine introduction. I am a great 
lover of a flower rich in colour and form, suitable for a gentleman’s button-hole. ” 
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