JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
February 3, 1881. ] 
95 
maroon, was especially remarkable, as it is highly valued by most 
Orchid growers. O. Alexandras is a general favourite, and one 
specimen had a spike of nearly twenty fine flowers—an~admirable 
example of an elegant species. Mr. Williams’ specimens of Cypri- 
pedium villosum are well known, and though I missed some of the 
largest, there were still grand pieces in superb condition which 
were fast advancing for blooming. 
In another warmer department were those charmingly delicate 
Orchids—Phalamopses, which can perhaps scarcely be rivalled in 
the whole of the immense order. The majestic P. Schillerana and 
the beautiful P. amabilis and P. Lowii were blooming with a 
small-flowered but pretty species named P. Mannii, which is rarely 
seen. It produces a small raceme of several flowers with narrow 
petals and sepals, yellow spotted with chocolate, which renders it 
very distinct from the other species, and a casual observer might 
take the flowers to be those of an Odontoglossum, some of which 
they resemble. There were many other Orchids blooming in the 
various houses devoted to them, but the few noted wfill suffice to 
show that there was no lack of attractions notwithstanding the 
unfavourable exterior condition. 
Stoves. —A cursory view can only be given of the occupants of 
these structures, although they merit a detailed description. 
Crotons were richly coloured, all the best varieties being grown ; 
but the two new forms, C. Stewartii and C, Warreni, were con- 
Fig. 22 .—Imahtophylltjm concinnum (Hort. Williams). 
spicuous for the elegance of their habit and the bright tints of the 
foliage ; they are both first-rate varieties. Dracaenas were similarly 
notable ; the graceful narrow-leaved D. superba, so well adapted 
for decorative purposes, being excellent, with its bright crimson- 
streaked foliage. Nepenthes it is well known constitute one of 
the specialities at Holloway, and so many beautiful hybrids, species, 
and varieties are included in the collection that it is not easy to 
select the best; however, one that particularly attracted my atten¬ 
tion was N. Hookeri maculata, which has very large pitchers 
thickly spotted with crimson maroon. In a less humid and cooler 
department were the two useful plants Toxicophkea Thunbergi 
and spectabilis, which produce their wihite fragrant flowers in dense 
axillary clusters, even small plants in 60 and 48-size pots having 
clusters at nearly every axil. This is one of the good qualities of 
the plants, and as they are easily grown they are welcome addi¬ 
tions to any collection either in a stove or intermediate house. 
Near the above were plants of the peculiar but Jpretty Cochlio- 
stema Jacobianum which were fast advancing for flowering ; it is 
surprising what fine specimens can be obtained from seed in about 
two years from the time of sowing with very ordinary care. A 
Bromeliaceous plant that is seldom seen in England is Pepinia 
aphelandrieflora, which has long narrow strap-shaped leaves and 
spikes of crimson flowers; the habit is compact and the growth 
free, and it is likely to prove useful for associating with other 
bolder plants on the shelves of a stove. Alpinia albo-lineata, the 
new variegated form in this well-known Zingiberaceous genus, is 
distinct and neat, the narrow leaves being green striped with 
white ; it retains the variegation very well as it advances in 
growth. I had nearly omitted mentioning the Anacctochili, Good- 
veras, and similar plants which would perhaps have been more 
correctly noted under the Orchids, but they seem more popularly 
to come under the heading of fine-foliage stove plants. Ihecollec- 
