78 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
pieces of bark, some cultivators have succeeded to admiration with many of 
them.” 
A few other figures are » » worthy. of mention. Thus Stenorhynchus 
orchioides, figured in 1807 (Bot. Mag., t. 1036), is noted as a rare and 
beautiful species which flowered in the collection of Mr. E. J. S. Woodford, 
of Rickmansworth ; Bletia hyacinthina (t. 1492) flowered with Messrs. Lee 
and Kennedy, of Hammersmith;. Satyrium carneum (t. 1512) with Mr. 
Griffin, of South Lambeth ; and Cypripedium arietinum (t. 1569) with Mrs. 
Whitley. 
These facts indicate pretty clearly the condition of Orchid culture during 
the first thirteen years of the present century, the period covered by Aiton’s 
work ; also the location of the principal collections. The success attained 
by these early pioneers was very moderate, though they were evidently not 
lacking in enthusiasm, and indications are not wanting of an attempt to 
attain a rational system of culture, which was largely hampered by a very 
imperfect knowledge of the natural conditions under which the plants grew 
in their native habitats. Some of them, however, were evidently well- “grown, 
even in these early days, for in 1815 the following paragraph appeared i in the 
first volume of the Botanical Races (t. 17), under Epidendrum nutans :— 
‘The cultivation of tropical parasitic vegetables was long regarded as 
hopeless with us; it appeared a vain attempt to find substitutes for the 
various trees each species might effect, within the limit of a hothouse. But 
experience has shown, not only that they succeed as easily as any other 
plants from the same climate, but that, from the little space they occupy, 
they are peculiarly well suited to the stove, for which their curious structure 
and beauty render them the most desirable acquisitions. We are told that 
they should be planted superficially in proportionate pots of hazel loam, and 
placed on the shelf or the flue of the hothouse, but never plunged into the 
bark bed.” 
Thus the foundations of modern Orchid culture were e gradually being laid. 
Our next paper will show a striking advance in the development of the “cult.” 
(To be continued.) 
‘CATTLEYA LABIATA PEETERSII. 
A very remarkable form of Cattleya labiata has appeared in the establish- 
ment of M. A. A. Peeters, St. Gilles, Brussels, of which we have received 
the flowers. The colour is an intense rose-purple—the darkest we have 
seen—but irregularly variegated with a lighter shade, which gives it a very 
striking appearance. The colour even extends down the ovary in irregular 
streaks. It is somewhat analogous with C. Mossiz Peetersii, according 
to the description—for we have not seen it. The present form is both very 
distinct and handsome. 
