September 21, 1893. 1 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
269 
Catasettjm Bungerothi. 
This, one of the latest intro¬ 
ductions amongst the Catasetums, 
is probably one of the most showy 
Orchids at present cultivated, by 
reason of its solid and massive 
spikes of almost waxy whiteness 
which last in good condition for 
some weeks. A fine healthy plant 
of the above species, carrying three 
grand spikes, has been in bloom 
at Cleveley, Allerton, and as it is 
one very seldom seen, a note as 
to the excellent system of culture 
pursued by Mr. Cromwell may be 
interesting to some readers. The 
plants are grown in baskets sus¬ 
pended from the roof of the stove, 
the compost used being good peat 
with the finer particles taken out. 
When the plants are in active 
growth a plentiful supply of water 
is given, occasionally applying very 
weak liquid manure. When the 
pseudo - bulbs are matured only 
sufficient water to keep them from 
shrivelling is applied. During the 
winter the plants are kept in a 
temperature of 60°. If the pseudo¬ 
bulbs are strong they fiower very 
freely.—R. P. R. 
The Blue Disas. 
Having seen in the Journal 
of Horticulture for this week that 
“ Specialist,” on page 237, describes 
the blue Disa as being of a bluish 
purple hue, “ by no means the 
brilliant blue some might be led to expect from glowing descrip¬ 
tions given in past times of the blue Disas at the Cape,” I 
would like to say that two years ago I was out in South Africa 
during the month of March, and was then given a bunch of 
Disas from Table Mountain, amongst them several blue Disas, 
the flowers of which were certainly not large, but there was no 
doubt as to their hue ; they were unquestionably of a true bright 
blue. I have never seen the plant in flower in England, but I 
presume Disa lacera is the same as the blue Disa I saw at the 
Cape.—A Plant Pilgrim. 
INSECTS OF THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
[Continued from page 190.') 
The snouted mites form a small and singular family, one 
member of which Curtis regards as useful to the farmer and 
gardener. In this little group we have both land and water species ; 
some have no eyes, and others have them of variable number, from 
FIG. 38.—CYPRIPEDIUM CENO-SUPERBIENS. 
of comparatively small consequence, but in warmer countries they 
are larger, their puncture is more virulent, and they multiply speedily } 
the rostrum or sucker is barbed, so that it cannot be retracted when 
it is once driven into the flesh. In habit most species resemble the 
harvest bugs or mites, that is, they commence life as feeders upon 
vegetable substances, and afterwards transfer themselves to warm¬ 
blooded animals or to man. Our native species are eyeless, but this 
does not prevent them discovering us and gratifying their thirst for 
blood at our expense. Ixodes marginatus is not uncommon in South 
England about flower gardens, attaching itself to the grass of lawns 
and to low plants along borders. Like its brethren, being of a greenish 
or greenish brown colour it is not often noticed. Many persons have 
been annoyed by this or some kindred species during the summer of 
this year, probably owing to the dryness of the season, and have 
perhaps attributed the irritation to some other cause. The presence 
of ticks in the flower garden may seem singular; I imagine they are 
sometimes introduced there by dogs. I hese quadrupeds frequently 
swarm with ticks, and they are allowed by some persons to range 
two to six. Apparently the head is lacking; it takes the form of a 
snout attached to the thorax, but it is armed with long narrow 
mandibles, also there is a sucker which is enclosed in a sheath. 
Our garden species is called Scirus insectorum ; it is brownish, has 
a bristly body and legs, being thereby no doubt able to cling firmly 
to those insects upon which it is parasitic. This snouted mite is 
sometimes found adhering to the legs of wandering spiders, but it is 
more frequently noticed upon the wireworm beetles, the Elaters,. 
and it also infests the Tipulse or craneflies, so troublesome to us 
in their larval stage. They occur in parties upon many of the 
insects to which they cling, and that by their proceedings they 
must weaken these is obvious ; hence they help to diminish the 
number of our foes. 
The ticks, which form the family Ixodidie, are in our cool climate 
CYPRIPEDIUM CENO-SUPEBIENS. 
The Cypripedium depicted in the engraving (fig. 38) is a very 
bright and handsome form. As mentioned last week it is the 
result of a cross between C. oenanthum and C. superbiens, and 
when exhibited by Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., at the Drill Hall 
on September 12th, the Orchid 
Committee of the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society adjudged an award 
of merit for it. The prevailing 
colour is a brownish red, this 
suffusing the petals and lip. The 
former are bold and spreading, 
the latter being somewhat pointed. 
As shown in the illustration the 
dorsal sepal is broad and impos¬ 
ing. It is heavily lined with choco¬ 
late dots and suffused with rose 
margined with white. 
