Plate 221. 



RHODODENDRON — STAR OP ASCOT. 



The plant we now figure is a seedling raised by the late Mr. John Standish, one of 

 the most successful of all garden hybridists, and one of the first cultivators who took up 

 the cultivation and improvement of the Rhododendron in this country. The results of these 

 and subsequent improvements are well known, the hybridiser's art having made the Rho- 

 dodendron one of the most variable and beautiful of all hardy spring flowering shrubs. 

 The variety now figured for the first time is a very distinct one ; chiefly remarkable for 

 the intensity of its purplish black markings, which look all the more striking as contrasted 

 with the white and delicate lilac-tinted petals. It is scarcely hardy, but well deserves 

 culture as a pot specimen for exhibition purposes, along with the now numerous crimson, 

 rose, lilac, purple, and white varieties. What is now wanted in this genus is a yellow- 

 flowered variety, but as we have yellow-flowered species this will doubtless soon be forth- 

 coming. At present the yellow colour so necessary for contrasting with the masses of Rho- 

 dodendrons in our gardens has to be supplied by planting hardy deciduous Azaleas, and it is 

 difficult to imagine any richer effects in pure colour than are thus obtainable for mingling 

 with the tender foliage of the opening year. 



Plate 222. 

 ODONTOGLOSSUM OIRRHOSUM. 



This is by far the largest and most beautiful of all the Odontoglossums ; that is, of all 

 the species of which 0. ncevium and its large-flowered variety may be taken as the types ; 

 and although only quite recently imported to this country by Mr. W. Bull, for the first time 

 in a living state, it has long been known in herbaria and books, Colonel Hall having sent 

 these dried materials from the "Western declivity of the Andes, where it luxuriates at an 

 altitude of 5000 to G000 feet. The credit of again discovering and sending home thriving 

 plants belongs to the brothers Klaboch, who sought it successfully under the directions of 

 their uncle, the veteran traveller and plant collector, Roezl. It is a much larger and finer 

 thing than its nearest ally, 0. ncevium maj'us, and has brighter and more distinct colours, the 

 rich, reddish-brown streaks on the expanded base of the lip being quite peculiar to the 

 present plant, while the purple or chocolate speckling of 0. ncevium is here augmented into 

 large rich blotches on a clear, ivory-white ground. The plant was first exhibited in flower 

 by Spencer Brunton, Esq., of Beckenham, at the Royal Horticultural Society's meeting, 

 held on April 5th of the present year, when it was unanimously awarded a first-class 

 certificate. Sir Trevor Lawrence also succeeded in blooming it about the same time ; and 

 our drawing was made from one of Mr. Bull's plants, which bloomed in the following May. 

 Professor Reichenbach, described the plant in the ' Gardeners' Chronicle,' of April 15th of 

 the present year, and adds that, " There can be no doubt that Odontoglossum cirrhosum, 

 Lindl., is one of the most lovely Orchids we possess." 



