﻿THE ORCHID REVIEW. 



Vol. XII.] FEBRUARY, 1904. 



THE HISTORY OF ORCHID CULTIVATION. 



One of the most noteworthy events of 1850 was the flowering, for the first 



of Mrs. Lawrence, of Ealing Park. It was exhibited at a meeting of the 

 Horticultural Society on March 19th, and was awarded a large Silver Medal. 

 It was figured in the first volume of Paxtons Flower Garden (t. 9). though 

 in the text it was hopelessly confused with another species (C. Hartwegii). 

 It is said to have been introduced to cultivation by M. J. Linden. 

 Respecting the remarkable petals Lindley wrote as follows :— " The petals 

 are the extraordinary part of the species. In most Lady's-slipper flowers 



hang down and wave in^he wind, in a manner of which we have in gardens 

 no other such example, not even in the genus of Strophanths. What add? 

 to the curiosity of these singular appendages is the fact, first remarked by 



and that they acquire length day by day, at a rate which would enable an 

 attentive observer to see them grow. This lady has favoured us with some 

 measurements made by herself, from which we learn that— 



And on the fifth day still extended ... ... inches. 



At this time the growth is supposed to have ceased, the petals having in 

 four days lengthened i/l inches, and being about i8£ inches long when 

 full grown. , The reason of this marvellous structure seems to deserve 

 inquiry at the hands of some proficient in the doctrine of final causes. 

 There is evidently a tendency towards it in other Orchids, as for 

 example, in Brassias, some Oncidiums, the genus Cirrhopetalum, and 

 the long-tongued Habenarias." [It may here be interpolated that 



