APRIL. 
88 
It should be grown in the East India house. 4, Vanda Lowii, the remark¬ 
able dimorphous character of which is well represented; this dimorphism, 
it has been observed, has about it nothing of an accidental character, 
for it is constant, nor of a functional character, for both kinds of flowers 
fertilised either with the other, have been made to bear seed. The plant 
is one of the noblest of its race, the bold distichous foliage, and the long 
spikes of flowers, often measuring 10 or 12 feet in length, giving it a re¬ 
markable grandeur of aspect. Unfortunately it is rare, and is likely to 
continue so, as it does not divide readily, and seems difficult to import. 
5, Oncidium chrysothyrsus, a showy and effective species from South Brazil, 
having large thyrsoid panicles of clear palish but bright yellow flowers, 
the lip being very large and prominent and of this colour, while the sepals 
and petals are small, greenish, spotted with brown. It is less straggling 
in habit than many of its allies, and like them useful from the fine contrast 
it presents to most of the Orchids grown now-a-days. “ It is much to be 
regretted that the species of Oncids are at present so little generally cul¬ 
tivated, for they undoubtedly include some of the most showy of Orchids ; 
their bright yellow flowers form an excellent and striking contrast with 
the colours presented by other genera, while their gracefully drooping spikes 
render them in many instances most useful for grouping. Their blossoms, 
moreover, last a long time in perfection, both on the plant and when cut 
and placed in water.” 6, Lalia crispilabia, a small-flowered but elegant- 
habited plant, supposed to be Mexican,and for some time cultivated under 
the garden name of L. Lawrenceana, though still exceedingly rare. Its 
flower-spikes are about a foot in length, drooping, and each supporting some 
half dozen very pretty flowers, of a rich amethyst purple. 
We have said enough to show that this work must be one of special 
interest to the cultivators of this once purely aristocratic family, but which 
is now, thanks to the advent of the system of cool treatment, gradually 
assuming more democratic proclivities—imparting, that is, a higher degree 
of enjoyment to a greater number of lovers of flowers. lvr 
THE EFFECTS OF THE FROST OF JANUARY, 1867. 
The intense Frost which occurred in the early part of January, 1867, will 
be long remembered in many parts of the country, and through its disastrous 
effects upon vegetation it will probably often be quoted by way of comparison 
with succeeding years, in the same manner as its effects are now compared 
with those of 1860-1. It has taught us a few lessons with regard to the 
reliance to be placed on certain plants to occupy conspicuous positions, the 
remembrance of which ought not to be allowed to pass away without being 
placed on record for the future guidance of intending planters. 
I should premise that the lowest temperature observed here was 1° below 
the zero of Fahrenheit, at which point the thermometer remained for about 
two hours, when it began slowly to rise, so that between 9 and 10 a.m., it stood 
at 8° for some time. This is lower than has been observed at this place since 
the celebrated Murphy’s winter, when the register fell to 1-| 0 below zero. It 
is fortunate in respect to the preservation of many kitchen garden crops, 
that the snow was very deep—quite an average of 14 inches, so that wherever 
they were covered by it they were perfectly safe, but wherever exposed they 
suffered most severely. Of Broccoli, for instance, the tall varieties with their 
heads standing up above the snow were quite killed, whilst the dwarf 
i 
