short time ago. It is somewhat darker in the ground colour of the sepals than 
usual, but there does not appear to be any other essential différence in tbe 
flower, 
Masdevallia coriacea may be taken as the type of a considérable section of 
the genus, the section Coriaceæ, characterised by its distinctly coriaceous 
perianth, varying from shortly and broadly to narrowly tubular, the tails of the 
sepals usually short and rigid, and the peduncles usually i-flowered. Its exact 
limits are rather difficult to define, because a few species are somewhat anomalous, 
and its relation to other sections is not yet clearly defined. It includes, however, 
a considérable number of cultivated species, of which may be mentioned the 
following : M. calura Rchb. f., M. campyloglossa Rchb. f., M. civilis Rchb. f., 
M. coriacea Lindl., M. demissa Rchb. f., M. elephanticeps Rchb. f., M. Gar¬ 
gantua Rchb. f., M. leontoglossa Rchb. f., M. Mooreana Rchb. f., M. pachyantha 
Rchb. f., M.peristeria Rchb. f., M. platyglossa Rchb. f., M. porcelliceps Rchb. f., 
M. Rolfeana Kraenzlin, M. torta Rchb. f., M. velifera Rchb. f., and a few 
others ; also several species which hâve not hitherto appeared in cultivation. 
The requirements of these high alpine Orchids are now pretty well 
understood. They succeed best in a house with an east or north-east aspect, 
and the coolest possible treatment during hot weather, by shading and keeping 
the air, as fully charged with moisture as possible, and generally keeping them 
under what is known as cool treatment. 
R. A. Rolfe. 
