I/O 



THE ORCHID WORLD. 



[May, 191 5. 



Lyc isle aromatica. 



LycasTE aromatica. — Although this 

 species has been known for nearly a century 

 it has lost none of its value as an uiteresting 

 addition to the cool house, where, on account 

 of its dwarf nature, it forms a suitable subject 

 for the front of the staging. It is said to have 

 been first sent by Lord Napier from Mexico 

 to the Botanic Garden at Edinburgh some 

 time previous to the year 1826. During the. 

 past few months it has been flowering freely 

 in the collection of Col. Stephenson R. Clarke, 

 C.B., Borde Hill, Cuckfield, where it grows 

 well in company with a varied selection of 

 Lycaste Skinneri and other members of the 

 genus. L. aromatica produces many one- 

 flowered scapes about 4-6 inches in height, 

 the colour of the sepals and petals being 

 orange or golden-yellow, the three-lobed 

 labellum golden-yellow spotted with red. 

 The specific name is derived from the pleasant 

 aromatic perfume which it freely emits. Dr. 

 Lindley mentions a variety with " very clear 

 yolk-of-egg yellow flowers, and the middle 

 lobe of the lip dilated and almost two-lobed." 



^ ^ 



OncIIMUM .MICROCHILUM. — A vigorous 

 batch of plants of this pretty species may be 

 seen m the houses of Messrs. Stuart Low and 

 Co., Jarvisbrook, Sussex, where many other 

 similar kinds are also cultivated. O. 

 microchilum was discovered m Guatemala, in 

 1838, by Mr. G. Ure Skinner, who gives the 

 following particulars:- I found it on the 

 top of the Cuesta of Puentezuelas. It was 



growing on a bare rock, with a quantity of 

 aead leaves ana grasses about us Duios, ana 

 us roots woven inco tne incerscices 01 tne rocK 

 ana mould about ir ; very mucn exposed to 

 me sun, e.xcepc auring tne middle 01 me day, 

 wnen a ledge ol rock seemed to atlord u a 

 Utile sliade. i afterwards found it in great 

 aounaance on tne rocky banks oi tne river 

 Micliatayal. i never saw it except in sucn 

 situations, generally exposed, and always 

 among rocks, i tie temperature generally ol 

 the above habitats is 68-70 degrees, and, trom 

 being exposed, cold at nights." Concerning 

 this fragrant species, Dr. Lindley remarks : — 

 ■' Although not a very splendid plant, it is far 

 from being undeserving of notice. Its very 

 glaucous hower-stem, the snow-white lip and 

 crimson petals, lying as it were 111 the middle 

 of dusky brown sepals, produce a singular 

 and pleasing effect." This plant is remarkable 

 for the almost obsolete intermediate lobe of 

 the labellum, and for the variety of colours 

 present in the flowers, which are, however, 

 variable in this respect. In habit of growth 

 the plants resemble the better known O. 

 splendidum, but the keel on the back of the 

 leaf IS not nearly so well developed. 



^ U U 



Mr. Frank Reader. — As chief cashier to 

 the Royal Horticultural Society Mr. Reader 

 has just completed 25 years' service, and to 

 mark their appreciation of the fact the 

 Council has presented him with a silver 

 teapot, sugar basin and cream jug, while the 

 Treasurer, Mr. J. Gurney Fowler, has given 

 SIX silver teaspoons and sugar tongs ; the 

 Secretary, Rev. W. Wilks, three Royal 

 Worcester cups and saucers, and the offiice 

 staff a Japanese tea tray. This recognition 

 Mr. Reader has well deserved, and it will give 

 pleasure to his large circle of friends. His 

 never failing willingness to be of assistance 

 to others, more especially to members of the 

 Press, and those connected with the working 

 of the principal shows, has earned for him 

 considerable esteem, and done much towards 

 the furtherance of that friendly feeling so 

 conducu'e to the advancement of horticulture. 



