THE ORCHli3 WORLD. 
3 
VANDA CCERULEA. 
By H. G. ALEXANDER, 
Orchid grower to Lieut.-Col. Sir George Holford, K.C.V.O., Wesionbirt. 
TZAXDA CCERULEA was first dis- 
1/ covered by the botanist and explorer, 
Wm. Griffith, m November, 1837, on 
the Khasia Hills, Assam. Its native habitat 
extends over a large area, part of which was 
visited by Sir Joseph Hooker during his 
travels in 1850. 
It will be interesting to read what Sir 
Joseph Hooker wrote m his Journal concern- 
ing this popular species which blooms in late 
summer and throughout the autumn, in which 
seasons there is no orchid that excels it in the 
wealth and beauty of its flowers : — 
" We left Nurtiung on the 4th of October, 
1850, and walked to Pomrang. Near the 
village of Lernai oak woods are passed, in 
which Vanda ccenilca grows in profusion 
waving its panicles of azure flowers in the 
wind. As this beautiful orchid is at present 
attracting great attention, from its high price, 
beauty, and difficulty of culture, I shall point 
out how totally at variance with its native 
habits, is the cultivation thought necessary 
for it in England. The dry grassy hills which 
it inhabits are elevated 3,000 to 4,000 feet : 
the trees are small, gnarled, and very 
Vanda cazrulea IVestonbirl variety. 
