268 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
“It was imported by us from Brazil with other Cattleyas of similar 
growth, such as C. bicolor, C. velutina, &c., &c. It appears to be a rare 
plant, as the specimen here figured is the only one we have seen, and which 
flowered in the Victoria and Paradise Nurseries in the month of July 
of last year, and again in the early part of the present year, upon 
which occasion it was named by Professor Reichenbach and described 
in the Gardeners’ Chronicle. In all probability there will be many 
new forms found in the locality whence C. sororia was obtained, as 
several species are found in the same district, thus affording an opportunity 
for various members of the insect world to cross-fertilize them, and thus 
originate new varieties.” 
On making a careful comparison with the help of a flower from the 
Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, M.P., I have come to the conclusion that 
the parents were C. bicolor and C. Harrisoniana. The colour of the flower 
closely approaches the latter, and the shape is just what would be expected 
from such a combination, including the small sidelobes, which show the result 
of a compromise—these organs being totally wanting in C. bicolor. It is 
this character which gives the resemblance to C. Walkeriana, but other 
characters are so different that the suggestion of its origin from the inter- 
crossing of the latter species must be given up. The reference to the 
occurrence of C. velutina in the same batch fixes the habitat as the Province 
of Rio de Janeiro, and the chief remaining doubt is whether C. x Wilson- 
iana was also derived from the same parentage. I think this is probable, 
for the differences mentioned are slight, and hybrids are notoriously 
variable. 1 hope the doubtful point may soon be cleared up. 
ROA. K. 
CULTURE OF ORCHIDS IN LEAF-MOULD. 
THE note respecting the cultivation of Orchids in leaf-mould given at page 
250 seems to have awakened a good deal of interest, and one correspondent 
requests us to give further details of the method of treatment, particularly 
with respect to the preparation of the leaf-mould, what tree leaves to use, 
whether it should be chopped or broken up, and whether to use it alone or 
mixed with either peat or sphagnum—in short what are the peculiarities of 
the treatment as compared with what has come to be regarded as the usual 
treatment. : 
We should be glad if Messrs. Charlesworth would furnish us with a few 
details on the subject; meantime we give a few notes of what has already 
been published, which may come in useful to those who desire to collect the 
necessary leaves for experiment during the coming autumn. 
