50 THE BOOK OF ORCHIDS 



and C. Mossia also in May, lasting through June. In July 

 and August, C. Warscewiczi (gigas), C. Luddemanniana 

 {speciosisima), and C. Gaskelliana are conspicuous. Then 

 in September we have the beautiful C. Dowiana and its 

 variety aurea, also the distinct C. Rex and C. Eldorado. 

 The type C. labiata, or, as it is sometimes called, C. labiata 

 autumnalis, commences to bloom in October, and, accord- 

 ing to the conditions under which it has been cultivated, 

 it is frequently seen in bloom up to the end of the year. 

 C labiata was first introduced in 1818 from the Organ 

 mountains, north of Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil, the 

 various species or sub-tribes mentioned having all been 

 discovered and sent home since that time. The geo- 

 graphical distribution of the Cattleyas is a very wide 

 one, the greater number of those enumerated occurring 

 in the Columbia-Guiana region. All the species are 

 natives of tropical America, and are spread over an 

 immense territory, though exception must be made as 

 regards C. Dowiana (which is a native of Costa Rica), 

 the only species at present known north of the isthmus 

 of Panama. It was discovered by M. Warscewicz about 

 the year 1 850, and was dedicated to Captain Dow of 

 the American Packet Service. Other Cattleyas, such as 

 C. Aclandia, C. amethystoglossa, C. bicolor, C. Bowringiana, 

 C. citrina, C. dolosa, C. Dormaniana, C. Walker iana, C. 

 guttata, C. intermedia, C. Lawrenceana, C. Loddigesi, C. 

 Harris onia, C. maxima, C. Schilleriana, C. super ba, C. 

 Skinnerii, and C velutina, which also bloom at various 

 seasons of the year, are worth adding to the collec- 

 tion. In addition to these species, there are several 

 fine natural hybrids, as C. Hardyana, C. Brymeriana, C. 

 Measuresii, and C. Binotii, together with many beauti- 

 ful crosses raised by artificial hybridisation, which 

 are far too numerous to mention here, but a few 

 may be enumerated, as C. Lord Rothschild, C. Chamber- 

 lainiana, C. Empress Frederick, C. atalanta, C. Fowlerii, 



