73 
CATTLEYA LABI ATA ; var. ATROPURPUREA. 
(LARGE-LIPPED CATTLEYA ; DARK-PURPLF, VARIETY.) 
CLASS. ORDER. 
GYNANDRIA. MONANDRIA. 
NATURAL ORDER. 
ORCHID ACEiE. 
Generic Character. — Vide vol. i. p. 151. 
Specific Character. — Plant an epiphyte. Stems not often numerous, angulated, slightly furrowed 
when old, attenuated at the base. Leaves one or two, situated on the apex of the stem, partially 
surrounding the spathe at their base, oblong, rigid, obtuse. Spathe large, foliaceous, of a brownish 
hue. Flower-stalk smooth, supporting one or six flowers. Sepals linear-lanceolate, acute. Petals 
much broader, undulated, acute. Labellum cucullate at the lower extremity, expanding into a 
broad, oblong, entire, undulated lobe, of a light purplish crimson colour in the centre, surrounded by 
whitish pink, and yellow towards the base. 
Var. Atropurpurea. — Sepals and petals of a rather paler hue. Labellum for the most part deep 
purple. 
It is easy to conceive that Cattleya labiata must have created an extraordinary- 
sensation among floriculturists when it first developed its magnificent flowers. 
Even now, that so gorgeous a spectacle has become comparatively common, it 
cannot be witnessed without the most enlivening emotions. Like an inimitably 
beautiful object in an attractive landscape, it stands forth in its princely array, 
altogether unapproachable by any of the numerous candidates for favour by which 
it is surrounded. 
To say of any single species in a richly painted and lovely tribe like Orchi- 
daceae, that it rises far above the rest in stateliness and splendour, is assuredly no 
mean praise. Its very near ally C. Mossii, which is probably only a variety, may 
be supposed to rank equally high in all tfrat can gratify the most confirmed taste ; 
and it has, indeed, been exalted to a superiority which is only the more disparaging 
when found to have no real existence. From all the flowering specimens that we 
have seen, it is deficient in depth and glow of colouring, exhibiting a paleness in 
the sepals and petals which, with a tinge of dull bluish-lilac, greatly lessens their 
eharm. Nor have we yet detected its larger dimensions ; and, as so much depends 
VOL. VII. — NO. LXXVI. L 
