74 
CATTLEYA LABI AT A; var. ATROPURPUREA. 
on cultivation, we suspect they have been simply fortuitous ; many ])lants of 
C. lahiata bearing blossoms fully twice the size of those on weaker specimens. 
The superb variety to which we have now the satisfaction of doing justice by 
an excellent figure, (which is probably, however, on a rather reduced scale,) 
differs from its original in the hue of the lip, and the increased size, as well as 
somewhat lighter tints, of the exterior members. Of the second item in this enu- 
meration there can be no question, since the plant which blossomed had not been 
imported above two or three months, while its growth was scarcely commenced ; 
so that^ if, when every circumstance attending its expansion was unfavourable, it 
Avas nevertheless particularly large, flowers produced under more propitious 
conditions will certainly sustain their character. 
In the labellum of C. lahiata, (for a drawing of which see vol. iv. p. 121,) the 
purple colour is more mixed with brown, and much less diffused ; the base is 
considerably paler, Vv'ith copious streaks of alternate deep yellow and brown ; and 
there is a broad band of pinkish lilac round the extremity. Our variety, on the 
contrary, has a lip in which deep purple is at least the distinguishing hue, and 
which spreads itself, although in various shades, over nearly its whole surface. 
C. Mossii, again, has a number of very distinct brownish-purple blotches on this 
organ, with no disposition in these to flow into each other. 
It was introduced by Mr. Low, of Clapton, along with many other orchidaceous 
and cactaceous plants, in the autumn of 1839 ; having been sent thither by Mr. 
Charles M'Kenzie, a collector in the employ of that firm, from La Guayra. The 
specimen here represented flowered at the above nursery in December last. 
The cultivation of Cattleyas has been particularized at p. 6 of the fifth volume 
of our Magazine, to which we may direct the inquirer for all useful details. The 
treatment bestowed by Mr. Low in the first stages after the plants' arrival in this 
country, may, nevertheless, be here registered. They are placed in a very confined 
pit, part of the roof of which is opaque, and the other portion covered with mats 
when the sun is shining. A warm moist atmosphere is maintained, and the 
stronger specimens, after being potted, are plunged in fermenting bark, while the 
sickly ones are suspended from the rafters or attached to the walls. In this situa- 
tion, the partial darkness enables them gradually to recover from the effects of 
their long torpidity, and the genial atmosphere soon elicits their slumbering 
onerofies. 
Tlie name, atropurpurea, applies to the peculiar amount of dark purple in the 
labellum of the flowers. 
