358 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
question of parentage. The first thing that strikes us is the strongly-marked 
characters of Lelia crispa in the lip, and a comparison with the hybrids 
known to have been derived from that species leaves no room for doubt 
that the present one is also descended from it. Next we fail to find a 
single character traceable to C. Dowiana aurea, and had that been the 
second parent it would have been a form of Lelio-Cattleya Xx Pallas, 
which is quite different. It was clearly a Cattleya of the labiata group, 
and may quite possibly have been C. Trianz flowering out of season, for 
the sepals and petals are light rosy lilac, the disc of the lip yellow, with 
numerous red-purple lines behind, and the rich amethyst purple of the 
front lobe and apex of the side lobes is very sharply defined. The hybrid 
is autumn-flowering, it is true, but this might be expected, being about 
intermediate between the normal flowering periods of the two species. 
The hybrids from C. labiata and C. Gaskelliana are known—L.-c. X 
Veitchiana and x Bryan, respectively—-and the present one seems distinct 
from both. The pollinia are of the usual Lelio-cattleya type, four large 
and four small—but the latter are less developed than is sometimes the 
case—and it is evident that the hybrid must be called L.-c. X massiliensis. 
Mr. Chamberlain remarks that ‘“‘ whatever it may be, it is certainly an 
extraordinary plant; very robust with enormous bulbs, and growing and 
flowering most freely.’”’ Perhaps someone will confirm its descent from 
L. crispa and C. Triane. 
DETERIORATION AND MANURING OF ORCHIDS. 
OrcuIpD deterioration, and I fear great losses from death, is now causing 
many growers to ask what is the cause, and a few to express their opinion 
with a certain amount of reluctance or diffidence, which, let us hope, will 
ultimately lead to a fuller discussion of causes and remedies. The very 
dangerous subject of manuring Orchids is also engaging the attention of some’ 
very eminent growers and chemists. As a grower who has determined to 
succeed and one who had losses at one time, I herewith give a few remarks 
on my experience. 
First, I think collectors might give fuller details of temperature and 
climatic conditions of Orchid habitats; if it is cold at night and if there 
is a dry and wet season, and any peculiarity that strikes them as different 
from our greenhouse practice. 
I believe many growers fail and lose their Orchids from following the 
Calendars of Instructions given in the gardening press, which I think for 
many Orchids is too cool. I used to follow such instructions, and found 
Cattleyas, Lzelias, and all Americans, so to speak, just existed. Noticing 
