‘Jury, 1903.] | THE ORCHID REVIEW. 228 
green predominates, and in the form which Rodriguez called C. umbrosum, 
both sexes are said to have been wholly green. Unfortunately the question 
of the identity of C. fuliginosum cannot yet be cleared up (see O.R., x., 
PPp- 327, 328). The latter was described from a plant of unknown origin,. 
which flowered in the Duke of Northumberland’s collection at Syon 
House, in September, 1841. The inflorescence, now preserved in Lindley’s. 
Herbarium, bore the unusual number of eight female flowers. They were 
described as being spotted with dull blackish purple, as if they were soiled 
with soot. The two plants appear to be very much allied, but in face of 
the fact that the females of half the species of Catasetum are still un- 
known, and that the habitat is not on record, it would not be safe to. 
assume that they represent the same species. It is to be hoped that 
any opportunity of adding to our knowledge of this remarkable genus. 
will not be neglected. 
R. A. Roire. 
or 
ORCHIDS IN SEASON. 
MASDEVALLIA COCCINEA and its numerous varieties are among the most 
brilliant of spring-flowering Orchids, and, when well grown, extremely 
effective. A group of over a dozen forms is sent from the collection of the 
Right. Hon. J. Chamberlain, m.p., Highbury, Birmingham, by Mr. Mackay, 
the flowers being large and representing various shades between deep rose 
and the most dazzling purple-crimson. They also have the merit of lasting 
very well as cut flowers. Such a group gives one some idea of what the 
effect produced by these plants in their native homes must be, and this is. 
very well described by Messrs. Veitch in their Manual (V, p. 36):— “Its 
principal locality is on the Eastern Cordillera, called the Sierra Nevada de 
Chita, where it spreads in uninterrupted masses for miles, covering acres 
upon acres of the upland slopes, growing in the partial shade afforded by 
the low shrubs that abound in the place. When in bloom, these masses of 
Masdevallia present one of the most striking floral sights it is possible to 
behold, even in tropical lands; it is not only the dazzling brilliancy of the 
colours displayed by the countless thousands of flowers, but also their” 
astonishing variety ; there is scarcely a shade of colo. from the deep, rich 
crimson-purple of Bull’s Blood, through magenta-crimson, scarlet, orange,. 
yellow, to cream-white that is not represented in greater or less abundance, 
the lighter shades of yellow being the rarest.” It may be added that the 
white variety (var. Gravesiz) has*been introduced to cultivation, but is. 
extremely rare. 
Other beautiful plants from Mr. Chamberlain’s collection are, a three- 
flowered inflorescence of the beautiful albino Cattleya Mossiz Wageneri, 
