lxXXlV PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCI ETY. 



its management. The attendance on the opening day was large and 

 distinguished, notwithstanding that heavy rain occurred about the 

 time of its opening, but the day was afterwards fine. An exhibi- 

 tion of this nature not only gives much pleasure, but is highly in- 

 structive to those identified with or interested in horticultural pursuits. 



Orchids. — These were staged in considerable numbers, and many 

 of them were of highquality. They constituted an important feature 

 of the Exhibition, and attracted crowds of admirers. In the nursery- 

 men's class for ten Orchids, distinct, Mr. B. S. Williams, Hollo- 

 way, was placed in the foremost position with a splendid group, 

 consisting of Cattleya Mossise superba, with twenty-five flowers ; 

 C. Warneri, with twelve grand blooms ; Odontoglossum vexil- 

 larium and 0. Alexandra), fine ; Masdevallias Harry ana cseru- 

 lescens and Yeitchiana ; Cypripediums barbatum, superbum, and 

 niveum, fine masses ; Orchis foliosa, with nearly thirty 6pikes ; 

 and a huge dazzling potful of Epidendrum vitellinum majus. 

 Messrs. T. Jackson and Son, Kingston, Surrey, were placed second. 

 In this group Dendrobium thyrsiflorum had thirteen fine racemes ; 

 Masdevallia Harryana, very rich ; Cattleya Warneri, a grand dark 

 variety ; a capital example of Odontoglossum vexillarium, Aerides 

 Dayanum, Saccolabium prgemorsum, Calanthe veratrifolia, Cypripe- 

 dium barbatum, Epidendrum vitellinum-majus, and Oncidium sel- 

 ligerum, all attractive. Mr. Henry James, Castle Nursery, Lower 

 Norwood, was placed third with smaller examples. 



In the open class for fifteen Orchids Mr. Douglas, gardener to 

 F. Whitbourn, Esq., Loxford Hall, had the chief position with a 

 beautiful group, the flowers very fine, fresh, and well coloured. 

 Dendrobium thyrsiflorum has twelve grand racemes, and very 

 conspicuous is a towering and well-flowered specimen of D. Dal- 

 housianum ; Cypripedium caudatum roseum has remarkably fine 

 flowers ; a good C. villosum ; Odontoglossum vexillarium, 0. roezlii 

 album (the latter with twelve flowers) very chaste, 0. crispum ; 

 Aerides Fieldingii, La3lia cinnabarina, Masdevallia Harryana, 

 Orchis foliosa, Dendrobium Bensonce, a good plant of Cattleya 

 Warneri, and Epipendrum vitellinum majus complete the group. 

 Mr. Henry James was a good second, his collection containing a 

 fine mass of Cattleya Mossia3, Yanda suavis with fine flowers, Den- 



