November 26, 1887. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
197 
cultivation. The Cattleyas are described as not being 
surpassed in horticultural importance by any other 
genus of Orchids, and take equal rank with the 
Odontoglossums. 
The second part is carried out on precisely the same 
principles as the first, and is illustrated by three maps, 
numerous full-page and other illustrations, which add 
materially to the value of the work, besides rendering 
great assistance in discriminating species to those who 
are not already familiar with them. We concede in 
the view that the Cattleyas and Lrelias are most inti¬ 
mately allied, contrary to the opinion of other able 
authors ; and seeing that this is so, and that the 
distribution of the species of both genera are precisely 
similar, they are associated together on the maps. 
Their distribution affects three distinct geographical 
regions—namely, Mexico and Guatemala, in North 
America, the northern part of South America, and the 
maritime provinces of South Brazil. Cultural notes 
with reference to watering, ventilation, shading, and 
compost are given in the introductory part of the work, 
before the synopsis and description of species is com¬ 
menced. The arrangement is alphabetical, with the 
exception of Cattleyas of the C. labiata group, which, 
on account of their importance, receive most prominence 
by being placed-at the beginning of the synopsis. 
The genus was founded on C. labiata by Lindley, 
and is here with great propriety made to include the 
forms, C. 1. Dowiana, C. 1. Mossise, C. 1. Trianfe, C. 1. 
Warneri, and a number of others that are popularly 
regarded and treated as distinct species. The original 
type is still in cultivation, and by way of distinction is 
designated by C. labiata (vera). Botanically, this 
arrangement is more satisfactory than that of consider¬ 
ing as distinct species, those forms the distinguishing 
features of which, in technical language, are difficult 
to define. C. gigas and C. Sanderiana are regarded as 
in such species as L. anceps, L. autumnalis, and L. 
superbiens. Two allied species found in this region 
have different pseudo-bulbs, and were formerly described 
as Brassavolas, but owing to the structure of their 
perianth and their habit, they are here placed with the 
Lrelias. These are L. Digbyiana and L. glauca. L. 
monopbylla is remarkable, as the only species hitherto 
not found on the American continent, and occurs in 
Jamaica. Equally remarkable is the fact that no 
Lrelias are found in the northern part of South America. 
We expected to find L. harpophylla described as a 
variety of L. cinnabarina ; but such is not the case. 
Supposed natural hybrid Cattleyas and Lfelias and 
garden hybrids of both genera are described in a 
separate part of the work from those that arc recognised 
as true or natural species, of which there are twenty in 
the genus Cattleya, and about twenty-four in the genus 
Lrelia. The supposed parentage and the real parentage 
when known are given. The remarkable hybrid 
between Sophronitis grandiflora and Cattleya inter¬ 
media, formerly described under the name of Lrelia 
Batemaniana, is here given under the composite 
appellation of Sophrocattleya Batemaniana in order to 
indicate its parentage. The breaking up of the genus 
Sophronitis advocated by such an astute authority as 
system are not cultivators in the true sense of the 
word, but can afford and buy plants with which to 
stock their cases. The latter are generally overcrowded, 
affording no room for fresh growth ; and while they 
may be described as a blaze of bloom, they not only 
indicate the absence of cultural skill, but display an 
evident want of taste. 
Window Boxes. 
Window boxes, if they are to be used, may be of 
various designs, but need not be elaborate or costly, 
seeing that they may, or should be, occupied with 
plants that after a period of growth will hang down, 
and almost or entirely conceal them. Boxes may be 
used without any other accessory apparatus or frame¬ 
work ; but a fine effect is sometimes produced by fixing 
trellis-work of some simple and light nature to each 
end, and forming an arch-way over the top according to 
the height of the window. This may be advantageously 
done in summer, when sunlight is abundant, and may 
be obstructed to the benefit of the room itself. The 
trellis-work may be permanent or temporary, so that it 
might be removed in winter if need be. To cover this 
the Virginian Creeper (Vitis quinquefolia), or better, 
because less bulky and more convenient, Vitis tri- 
cuspidata (Ampelopsis Veitchii) may be planted. 
Cattleya Bowringiana. 
synonymous with C. labiata Warscewiczii. C. bicolor 
is remarkable for the undivided condition of its lip, a 
structure which does not obtain in other species. 
C. amethystoglossa is considered as synonymous with 
C. guttata Prinzii, and C. Leopoldi is also treated as a 
variety of C. guttata. We are not surprised to find that 
C. Skinneri and C. Bowringiana should be recognised 
as allied species. The latter is, however, more robust 
in its growth, has longer psendo-bulbs and leaves, 
but with smaller flowers, and a differently shaped 
lip. The flowers are bright rosy purple, with the 
middle lobe of the labellum deep purple ; and are 
much valued from their appearing in autumn and early 
winter. A fine inflorescence from Mr. Alex. Chalmers, 
gardener to Captain Maxwell, Teregles, Dumfries, was 
12 ins. in length, and carried nine flowers, each 3 ins. 
across, and gracefully borne up>on pedicels or footstalks 
2 ins. long. We give illustrations of C. Bowringiana, 
for the use of which we are indebted to the Messrs. 
Veitch. 
In the distribution of Lrelia, the greater number of the 
Mexican and Guatemalian species constitute a well- 
defined group, characterised by their short pyriform 
pseudo-bulbs and long slender peduncles, as we see them 
Professor Reichenbach is not followed ; and, notwith¬ 
standing the structural differences to be found in S. 
violacea, both that and S. cernua, together with S. 
grandiflora, preserve the genus intact. The second 
part of the manual, exclusive of maps and full-page 
illustrations, extends to 108 pages, and it will, no 
doubt, enjoy as large a circulation as the previous part 
has, we understand, already attained. 
-->X<-- 
WINDOW GARDENING. 
(Continued from p. 166,). 
Summer Culture. 
The sill of the window outside can be made gay in 
an endless diversity of ways by the use of different 
plants, and different, but simple and inexpensive, 
designs. In many of the windows of the richer classes 
throughout London we notice elaborate and gaily- 
decorated window-boxes, or even glass cases ; but 
neither of these is necessary for the proper cultivation 
of plants. The cases may have their advantages in 
winter and spring, inasmuch as many of the less hardy 
subjects can be better protected from frost and rough 
weather. Generally, however, those who adopt this 
Tropreolum majus, or some of the neater garden 
forms, together with the Canary Creeper (T. aduncum), 
and even Clematis, would afford material to intermingle 
with the other subjects grown. Many of the smaller- 
leaved and variegated Ivies might be used alone for 
covering the trellis-work, and are not only evergreen, 
but easily grown, most accommodating to indifferent 
treatment, standing the smoky atmosphere of towns 
well, and would be equally gay in 'winter as in summer, 
and more appreciated at that dull time. Their habit 
is so neat, moreover, that very little obstruction would 
be offered to the ingress of light—so important in 
winter, especially in towns. 
Having arranged as to the trellis-work, if such is to 
be used, the body of the box may be filled with appro¬ 
priate plants. A host of subjects may be used for this 
purpose ; but the commonest aud most accessible, 
happily, are equally, if not more, satisfactory, as far as 
a gay appearance is concerned, than costly or rare 
plants. Fuchsias, Ivy-leaved, Zonal and other Pelar¬ 
goniums, both single and double ; Calceolarias, Lobelias, 
Mignonette, Heliotropes, some of the many garden 
forms of Chrysanthemum frutescens (both white and 
yellow), Mimulus Harrisoni, Night-Scented Tobacco 
