240 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [AucusT, 1908. 
M. velifera is mentioned as extremely rare, the flower of a dull lurid 
brown, with a shining surface, and a smell even worse than a Stapelia, but 
not so all-pervading.. M. trinema is described as one of the rarest and most 
beautiful of Masdevallias, and one which always attracts the attention of 
visitors. M. muscosa and M. xipheres are two remarkable species, having 
sensitive lips and the peduncles covered with mossy hairs. M. triglochin 
belongs to another section of the genus, Triaristelle, which contains 
several very pretty species with minute flowers, and it certainly is the most 
uncommon of those in cultivation. 
It is an extremely interesting and valuable paper, by one of our most 
enthusiastic and expert cultivators, which should be read in the original. 
MASDEVALLIA TOVARENSIS. 
A FINE specimen of the chaste and beautiful Masdevallia tovarensis is 
figured in the Journal of Horticulture (1908, ii. p. 99) with the following note 
on its culture: ‘‘Amongst the best of useful easily-grown Orchids the 
Tovar Masdevallia merits a foremost position, and this it is gradually but 
surely securing. It is somewhat surprising, however, that the species 
should have been cultivated in Britain since 1865, and for a good portion 
of that time be comparatively neglected as a garden plant. In some 
collections of Orchids it has been duly prized, but beyond these it was 
scarcely known. It has not been alone in this respect, and one reason why 
it and others are becoming general favourites is due to the fact that the 
“cool house” for Orchids is now almost indispensable in many establish- 
ments. In gardens of very moderate extent accommodation can _ be 
provided for Orchids that are so cheaply and easily grown as these, for 
though all must admire the gorgeous Cattleyas, the charmingly graceful 
Phalznopsis, and the varied Dendrobiums, many are debarred from the 
enjoyment of their beauty by the expense attending their purchase and 
culture. The cool species are, therefore, essentially the people’s Orchids, 
and their popularity must unquestionably advance as long as_ beautiful 
flowers find favour.. Masdevallia tovarensis is one of the most floriferous 
species in the genus . . . The Masdevallia succeeds under the same culture 
as the majority of other species, requiring very little artificial heat at any time. 
A constant supply of moisture is, however, essential without an approach to 
stagnation, which is almost as injurious as drought. A compost of fresh 
sphagnum moss and peat suits the plant, with thorough drainage, and a 
cool moist position in the house. The flower stems should not be cut away 
when the blooms fade, but these only should be removed, and the stems will 
produce flowers year after year.—R. H.” The specimen figured is in a 
shallow pot six inches in diameter, and shows over four dozen of its pure 
white flowers. 
