328 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
CATTLEYA x IMPERATOR. 
THE appearance of another example of this beautiful natural hybrid 
between Cattleya labiata and C. granulosa is an interesting matter. A 
plant in the collection of Sir Frederick Wigan, Clare Lawn, East Sheen, 
has just flowered, and has the same unmistakable combination of characters 
as those of the original plant, whose history has already been given in these 
pages (vol. v., p. 365). There are two diphyllons pseudobulbs, approaching 
those of C. granulosa, and a single monophyllons one, much like C. labiata, 
and the latter has produced a single flower, which is most like C. granulosa 
in shape and C. labiata in colour. The flower is larger than C. granulosa, 
and more membranaceous, while the side lobes of the lip are cut down more 
than half way to the base, and the front lobe has a long, broad unguis, 
which is one of the peculiarities of the species just named. The colour is 
bright crimson-purple, darker on the front lobe of the lip. The influence of 
C. labiata is also seen in the modified shape and size of the sepals and petals, 
the latter being barely under 4 inches long and 13 inches broad, and the lip 
2% inches long by over 14 inches across the front lobe. The flower is much 
larger than in C. X Victoria-Regina, the corresponding natural hybrid 
between C. Leopoldi and C. labiata; the side lobes of the lip are also cut 
much deeper, and the stalk of the front lobe is much longer, in all of which 
the influence of C. granulosa is seen. Its history is not exactly known; 
indeed, it was thought to have come home with Lelia tenebrosa, until it 
flowered, when the characters above pointed out, and the fact that the 
pollinia are those of a true Cattleya, show that this species could not be one 
of the parents. It is not quite identical with the original plant, which I 
only know from the published figures. Other individuals will probably be 
heard of in future. 
R. A. R. 
ORCHIDS IN SEASON. 
WE have now reached what might be called the winter period of our 
favourites, for as soon as the New Year is over a kind of reaction is noticeable 
in the vegetation. But if November forms part of the resting period, it 
does not apply to blooms, or only partially so, for many of the plants are 
now in flower. October brought us the first autumnal stars, and now we 
possess a beautiful display of bloom. Orchids in general seem to have been 
very forward this year, and this is accounted for by the exceptionally bright 
summer with which we have been favoured. 
Among Cool house Orchids a few Odontoglossums are still in flower, and 
many others are showing, as O. Cervantesii, Rossii, Edwardii, cordatum, 
Pescatorei, and several of the crispum group. Cypripedium insigne is now 
forming a fine display of flowers and remains in perfection for a considerable 
