ODONTOGLOSSUM ALEXANDRÆ.

PRINCESS OF WALES' ODONTOGLOSSUM

(WHITE, OR WEIR'S VARIETY).

Of this charming Odontoglossum, which I had the honour to dedicate to H.R.H. the Princess of Wales, there appear to be innumerable varieties. Of these some—like the one figured at Plate XIV.—have crimson spots, others again are spotted with brown, while a third section—like the one represented in the Plate—have flowers of the purest white, relieved only by the rich golden crest of the lip. An excellent example of the latter variety was sent to me nearly two years ago by Mr. Paterson, of Ashville, Partrickhill, near Glasgow, and from this Mr. Fitch's drawing was obtained. Since then, other specimens of the same kind have been communicated to me, especially by Mr. Wentworth Buller, Mr. Jones, of Whalley Range, near Manchester, Mr. Bull, and Mr. Dawson of Meadow Bank. The last was an admirable specimen bearing as it did on a curved stalk about a dozen perfect flowers, all of which faced the same way, so as to form a sort of natural tiara exactly suited to a lady's head and which—especially when worn on dark hair—could not fail to produce a most beautiful effect.

This variety has also flowered at the Royal Gardens, Kew, a fact that is not a little creditable to Mr. Smith's (the Curator's) energy and skill, he being compelled to grow his Orchids in houses that are very ill adapted to such a purpose. Surely the Government of this wealthy country might afford to devote a few hundred pounds to the construction of houses in which these most popular and marvellous plants might be worthily grown!

As the first specimens of the white variety of O. AlexandrÆ were collected by Mr. Weir, it is only fitting that his name should be associated with it, just as the name of his rival Mr. Blunt has been connected with the variety distinguished by its crimson spots. Plants of both frequently acquire a reddish tint both in their bulbs and leaves, a tint which, wherever it occurs, is a sure criterion by which O. AlexandrÆ may be distinguished from other Odontoglossa that closely resemble it in habit.

O. AlexandrÆ proves to be a slow grower, and to require the coolest compartment of the Peruvian house. If this condition be attended to, it gives no trouble whatever, and produces its exceedingly durable flowers very freely indeed.

Dr. Triana met with it on the trunks of very large trees with dense foliage, ten leagues from BogotÁ, and also at Pacho.

Dissections.—1. Lip and column, seen in front; 2. Ditto, seen sideways: magnified.