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New Spain. It was first described by \I. M, L.\ Lr.AVF. and Lr.x.-vnzA, in their interesting work on tlie
Orcliidacciv of the Province of .Mechoacan, and their account of its beuuty appeared to be fully borne out
by some specimens of tlie phmt which were more recently gadiercd in Oaxaca by the Haron KAnwiN-sKi.
The species had not, however, found its way into English collections until the year 1S36, when I\ir. BATES
tniUvSinitted some line plants of it to .Mr. 'rAYLEUiiu, of I'arkiicld, near Liverpool, in whose choice
collection they tlowered shortly after tlieir importation, and again in the autumn of the following year,
wlien our drawing of the subject was prepared. Although the specimen figured had not reached the highest
degree of vigoiu- which may be expected from it after it has been longer in cultivation, it was still a most
strikingly beautiful object, and satisfied us tliat it is not likely to prove less attractive on Üiis side of the
-Atlantic, than it is already kno^NH to be on its own.
The gcmis " Lsvlia," to Avhich our plant belongs, may be regarded as one of the most ornamental of its
tribe, since pleasing colour, graceful habit, long duration, and delicious perfume,—in short, all tlie c-ssentials
of floral beauty, seem to be combined in its various species. Of these, five or six are already known, of
which the one now represented, however charming it may be, is, perhaps, the least interesting : for it is far
suipassed by L. granúijlora (the Flor de Corpus of Meclioacan) in the magnitude of its flowers, and
L. anceps and some unpublished species, in the briUiancy of iLs colours. Being found at a considerable
elevation, they all thrive best in a moderate temperature, and require to be high-potted, as by that means
the rooti are more likely to be retained in a hesdthy state, and are better able to withstand tlie extremes of
heat and moisture which, even in the most carefully conducted establisiiments, -will xometimes occur, and
^^•|lich we have fomicl excessively injurious to La:lias, Cattleyas, and species of some other allied geneni. Jn
winter they should be very sparingly watered, and kept in almost a dormant stsite. L. autumiialc flowers
both in this coiintrj- and its own, at the season which its name implies.
Those wiio liave ever received a case of Orcliidacea; from the Tropics, know full well that the opening of it is
attended witli the most intense and feverisli cxcitement: and those wbo have not been so fortunate, will be glad
to gather some notion of such stirring scenes from llie accompanying Vignette,—which, it is needless to say, is from
the iniinilahle pencil of CnriKsoAKK.—If we read aright the address on lliat box, the cargo belong.s to oue of the most
staunch and scientific collectors of Lis day, and we, therefore, only the more deeply deplore the calamity w ith which, it
is but too clear, liis importation lias been visited. The conduct of his people is, however, beyond all praise : and we
earnestly pray that tlieir gallant exertions may be crowned with triumphant success. It is indeed a cruel tbiug to
expect Epiphytes, and receive only Cockroaches!! to see the verij case which ought to have been richly stored with
lusty OrchidacerB, prove, upon opening, to contain nothing more than—
• I-ucifugis congiJia cubtlia blattis !
• ' ''Me
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