Plate 192 . 
LYCASTE SKINNEEI, var. 
Among those Orchids which have flourished so admirably 
under the cool treatment, none have exhibited a greater readi¬ 
ness to adapt themselves to it than the varieties of Lycaste Skin - 
neri. Beautiful as it is in any circumstances, it derives a greater 
interest from its easiness of culture, and also from the fact that 
it exhibits almost as much variation in its markings as any 
florists’ flower, and indeed, taking the ordinary definition given 
to them, it might well be classed as such. 
Mr. Bateman, of Biddulph Grange, to whom we are indebted 
for so much valuable information upon this interesting point 
of floriculture, has drawn attention to the fact that not only 
will Lycaste Skinneri flourish under this cool treatment, but 
that he has had it in flower for several months in his drawing¬ 
room, where it has produced its ivory-like flowers in rapid suc¬ 
cession. When we consider how the Orchid has been considered 
the exclusive privilege of the wealthy, and that now many a 
flower of this interesting tribe of plants may adorn our sitting- 
rooms, we cannot but rejoice at the change that has taken 
place. Mr. Robert Warner, of Chelmsford, the accomplished 
editor of 4 Select Orchidaceous Plants,’ has also cultivated it in 
a vinery, where, under the shade of the foliage, it had produced 
its large flowers perfectly pure in their white ground, of exqui¬ 
site shape, and fully as fine and large as when grown in heat; 
while we have ourselves seen, at the Messrs. Veitch’s, many 
plants of it in their cool-house flourishing in the greatest vigour 
and beauty, and it was from several that we then saw that the 
beautifully-marked variety was selected for illustration by our 
artist. 
In the cultivation of Orchids we are aware that several of our 
