70 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
unexceptionably perfect in outline, and the colours vary from pure white in 
the sepals and petals to the richest and most delicate peach. Then as to the 
labellum, no labiata, than which we used to think nothing more perfect, 
can eclipse or even rival them. The labellum in many of them is entire 
at the extremity, and what is so enchanting, or rather enamouring about 
it, is that the splendid velvety crimson that adorns the lower part is as 
unbroken in density and as distinct as the most solid eye of the best Pansy 
which ever graced an exhibition-stand. In Mossise, labiata, and all that 
type, these glowing colours run out towards the extremity into softer shades, 
but the finest form of Trianaei does not. Some of the forms of it are 
beautifully margined with white or pale rose, and the margin is as definite 
as the lines in a ribbon-border. Then the yellow blotch planted upon the 
centre, which is the more distinguishing characteristic of the group, is promi¬ 
nent in every form of it. Sometimes it may be more dense, or more vivid, 
or it may run from a pale straw to a glowing orange, but it is always there, 
and always prominent and observable. The outline is much more desirable 
than in the flowers of the original plants, being much better filled up. This 
is the advantage in having numbers to prove, and only adds to the definite¬ 
ness of the conclusion long since arrived at by every one who has sat and 
studied a little at the feet of Nature—that no two seedlings are alike, and 
that some possess more desirable forms and colours than others. Does the 
reader want any more data to induce him to invest a little money in these 
Cattleyas ? The very plants I am writing about can be secured at twelve 
guineas a-dozen, and no such little tit-bits as the rarities which erst while 
fetched ten guineas a-piece ! 
An important piece of intelligence for those amateurs whose families 
are so much affrighted at the tropical heat in the tropical houses, that 
however much they love and admire the “ air plants,” they cannot endure 
the suffocating temperature, is that these Cattleyas grow and thrive beautifully 
in cool houses, because they are found at great altitudes. We have had 
dozens—aye, scores of their flowers during the past months untarnished by 
the least speck or spot, growing in the temperature which every lady and 
gentleman would wish to see maintained in the parlour or dining-room, 
and well aired during the day. Intermingle amongst such as these, a few 
foliage plants remarkable for grace and elegance, such as Ferns, with Hya¬ 
cinths, and a diverse lot of other Orchidaceous flowers, and—pardon me 
for running into ecstacies, and getting for the moment lost in admiration 
—imagine if Paradise could be even more beautiful than this ! 
Cattleyas can now be had “ all the year round.” The gap which oc¬ 
curred between labiata and its fellows, and amethystina and the intermedia 
section, which always precedes the lovely Mossise, is now filled up ; ame- 
thystoglossa also coming in to the rescue, flowering freely in the months of 
February and March. 
One word before closing, and it is this—I love all Orchids, for they 
all possess traits of beauty, some prominently so, others under close 
investigation; but if there be one genus more than another that amply 
rewards the patience and skill of the culturist, that genus is Cattleya. 
To those who doubt, and would fain invest a little under “ skilled advice," 
I say most of the members of this interesting family are good and cheap. 
Try a few, and make a beginning. 
Meadow Bank. 
James Anderson. 
