336 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [NOVEMBER, 1907. 
banks of the Rio Parahyba, separating the provinces of Rio de Janeiro and 
Minas Geraes. M. Forget remarks that here it was Cattleya Warneri which 
confused Gardner. Its habitat extends over a vast space, from the northern 
part of the province of Rio de Janeiro to the north-west of the province of 
Minas, Espiritu Santo and the south of Bahia. Gardner did not preserve 
specimens from this locality, but there can now be no doubt that M. Forget 
is right in his conclusions. 
Concerning the range of Cattleya labiata, M. Forget remarks that it 
grows spontaneously in the mountains of the interior, in the state of 
Pernambuco and in the neighbouring provinces, to the north Parahyba, 
and to the south Allagoas. It is difficult to realise the conditions under which 
it grows. During the rainy season, which is of three months’ duration, the 
vegetation grows with incredible rapidity, after which, owing to the torrid 
heat, the leaves fall from the trees, giving the region the aspect of winter in 
Europe. The stranger would never dream that Cattleya labiata or its 
allies could exist there. But towards the summits of the mountains one 
discovers here and there ravines and gorges where the virgin forest still 
persists. It is here that the plant is found, growing on the large trees, 
whose trunks are garnished with Aroids, Begonias, ferns, &c. The Cattleya 
grows chiefly on the lateral branches of the trees, in company with other 
Orchids, Bromeliads, and Lichens, its roots enveloping the branches to a 
length of nearly six feet, with their tips intact, and finding in the air the 
ingredients ‘necessary for their existence. Here, in the shade of the ever- 
green foliage and in the breezy mountain air, the Cattleya luxuriates. It 
never grows on dead trees, because the bark quickly perishes and falls off. 
In these localities the plant flowers from January to March, more or less - 
regularly, according to the epoch of the passing of the trovoadas—-storms 
which blow from November to January, and seem to announce the approach 
of the rains, and the revival of the vegetation. It is under this influence 
that C. labiata develops and expands its flowers. During the rainy season, 
from April to June, under the action of this constantly humid but healthy 
atmosphere—because of the altitude and the constantly moving air—the 
new growths and roots are produced. After growth is completed, the 
plant then rests until the epoch of the storms again arrives. Thus we see 
that its peculiar habit of resting after growth has a quite natural reason. 
As to culture, M. Forget recommends cultivators to encourage the 
development and especially the preservation of the roots. 
With our present knowledge it is remarkable that such a well known 
and esteemed species should ever have been lost sight of, as many plants 
were sent home after its discovery, but probably the way it was sooD 
confused with two other species was one of the causes. 
R. A. ROLFE- 
