234 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [Aucust, gts. 
as it perhaps ought to be considered typical of the proper regime in what was 
called the ‘‘ Mexican,” as contradistinguished from the Peruvian and other 
cool houses. At present the treatment pursued with so much success by 
Mr. Anderson (Mr. Dawson’s gardener) varied considerably from that 
followed by Messrs. Backhouse, of York, who had also succeeded. in 
flowering the plant, and with whom that, if possible, still more glorious 
Orchid, Epidendrum erubescens (the “Flor de San Joseph” of the 
natives), was likewise coming in flower. Mr. Anderson grows his plants on 
flat pieces of tile of the same form as the tiles of a house, only some- 
what smaller, but the branch-Orchid pots would be found to answer 
the purpose still better. They are in a low span-roofed house, the’ 
temperature of which fell sometimes to the freezing point during the late 
winter, while in summer, when the sun is vertical, the temperature 
rises to 80° or more in the day, the house being moderately damp and 
close, especially at night, when, at this season of the year, it is — 
as cool as possible. 
The summer treatment of Messrs. Backhouse’s (which Mr--B. gave, in 
the words of a letter from Mr. Wentworth Buller, who has lately visited 
their establishment), was different in many respects from that of Mr. 
Anderson, the temperature being lower, the atmosphere drier, and air 
admitted very freely indeed. Probably it may be found that the success 
achieved by both these eminent Orchid-growers was in a great measure due 
to the very decided winter, which, in each case alike, the plants were 
subjected to. 
As regards the summer treatment, there can be no doubt that a plant 
which—like the Lzlia—was distributed over a large portion of Mexico, had 
to submit to many varieties and vicissitudes of climate. Plants, as the late 
Dean Herbert remarked, do not always grow where they like, but where 
other plants will let them, and this may be to some extent the case with 
the Lelia. At all events there can now be no doubt whatever that this 
most beautiful plant is amenable to cool treatment, and with it there will 
soon be associated (in the Mexican house) a very extensive brigade of 
beautiful Orchids, which can be tended and enjoyed in a house. of which 
the atmosphere may be as mild and pleasant as that of an ordinary 
greenhonse. 
The Chairman, in returning Mr. Bateman the thanks of the meeting 
for his interesting lecture, said that though a fossil Orchid had never 
yet been discovered, he would endeavour to stimulate geologists to 
search after such, and did not despair of finding such a thing when 
the geology of the countries where Orchids now abound was thoroughly 
investigated. 
Two Orchids presented by Messrs.:H. Low & Co.,. were balloted for. 
