Plate 229. 



DENDBOBIUM BIGIBBUM SUPEEBUM. 



This really superb variety of the Double-spurred Dendrobe is well worthy of the attentiou 

 of all amateur Orchid growers, being even more distinct in colour than the Lindleyan type, 

 which ever since 1855 — when it first bloomed in the then celebrated nursery of the Messrs. 

 Loddiges — has been considered as one of the rarest and most distinctly beautiful of all the 

 many species of which this popular genus is composed. The first specimens of the typical 

 plant sent alive to this country appear to have been sent by Dr. Thomson, who discovered it 

 on Mount Adolphus, Torres' Straits, on the north-east coast of New Holland, where it grows 

 in company with D. HUB, D. Jbhannis, and D. TaUomanum, which altogether form a very 

 interesting group ; and moreover, be it noted, a group which requires more heat and light 

 than most other Australian Orchids, especially those of the south. It succeeds well in a small 

 basket or shallow pan of peaty compost suspended near the light in the East Indian House, 

 or in a pine-pit where tan is used as a heating andplu nging agent ; and I have now before 

 me a photograph of a specimen so grown, which produced eleven flowers on a spike over two 

 feet in length. The variety here figured has recently flowered in Messrs. Veitch and Son's 

 collection at Chelsea, and received a first-class certificate when exhibited at South Ken- 

 sington on August 1 6th, of the present year. 



Plate 230. 



AGAPANTHUS UMBELLATUS EL. PL. 



For the opportunity of making the accompanying sketch of the double-blossomed 

 Love-flower, we are indebted to Mr. B. S. Williams, of Holloway. The plant is similar in 

 habit to the typical species which has long been grown in our gardens, and although a 

 native of Southern Africa, is nearly hardy. The present plant is a very distinct and accepta- 

 ble addition to the varieties already known. Two distinct forms of the bright blue 

 flowered type are grown at Kew, and there is a white flowered kind which deserves to be 

 more often seen in cultivation. Treated as sub-aquatics, they form most effective plants for 

 grouping along with other graceful vegetation either in a cool greenhouse, or by water 

 margins in the open air during the summer months. The delicate blue buds and flowers 

 remain fresh a long time after being cut, and are most beautiful grouped in bouquets 

 along with scarlet and white Bouvardias, pearly Stephanotis, Gardenias, Heliotrope, and 

 Maidenhair Ferns. 



