C A T T L E Y A L AWR E N C K A NA Rcu.f.
Psciidobiilbis lusiform! clavatis siilcalis monopliyllls, folio cunuato obli
ibranacco, sc|h1Ì5 ligulalis aculis, Inicralibiis cun-ulis, Icjwilii cimento obi
:a cIMatiitó cmai^inata cris|)uli, portionc superiori (laciiiiis latcralibus) ul
lia (XMtica lineari subacuta).
CattI-BVA I.AWKKNCIiANA, Rchb. C, GarcI, Chron., 1885, March 14, p. 338 I; Card. Chron., 18S3, Marcii
spalila lii.ailata, Qbii(;uo acuu, psdiiticuio plurinoro, (Inn: máximo cxpanso
! acutiuscilis crisptil«, labdlo de b-isi curva deseen,bate, p;mdurnw, pane
ic scmiabiongii, columna ciirviiia superne dilatala, vsldc brevi (nndrociinii
ili expósita. J-los iiiacino purpurcus p;
1885, Aug. 8, p. 168, p. 1Ö9, r J4I (the homeorCaltleyaLaivret
Pscudobulbi el folia introducta rufulo lavala, h."
disco pallide (lavo.
l'Ianla incxapcctata, egregia, magno cum gaudio dicala ili. Sit Trevor Lawrence, Bart,, M.I'., l'.U.II.S.
Crcscit in Guyana anylica, ubi dotccta a. Rob. H. Scliombui^k, dein a colJcctorc Scidl, Sandcriano. " M
Aprii, and had then detected the plant," Evcrard F, im Thiirn, Card. Chron., 1885, Aug. 8, p. 16S 1
VAR. CONCOLOR : labcllo omnino concolori lilacino purpureo
Catti-eya Lawkenceana concolok, Relib. f., in Card. Chron., i8S(3, M.iy Ö, ¡1. 585 ! Accepi i. dom 1'
p. 375. Xr.öyllCard.CI
Our analytical drawings In side vim; the figure.1 oiilaiEcd.
SOME few years ago, whilst looking over Ihe drawings of Sir Robert Schoinburgk, made by his artist in Guiana and
preserved in the Britisli Museum, we found an illustration of a Cattleya which api)oared quite strange to us, and being
so beautiful and distinct ffom any wc had previously seen, our curiosity was cxclted as to whn.t it could bs. On reading
Schombucgk's " Travel s in British Guiana in 1836," we found that he alludes to a Cattleya which he discovered near the
Roraima Mountains, and which he called C. Mossis. but knowing that this Cattleya had only been found in
Venezuela, we doubted the probability of its occurring in Guiana, and deter(nincd to find it, and if possible identify it.
Accordingly, we sent one of our collectors, E, SeidI, in search of the plant, a journey that proved laborious, and
indeed a (nost perilous one. After hunting for the Cattleya for six months Seidl returned to England without the coveted
treasure, but a year later we sent him again to continue the search, which this time was attended witli greater success, as
he discovered it and came home with a good gathering of living plants. To Scidl, therefore, belongs the honour of
having introduced to Eurojje what proves to be one of the most glorious Cattlcyas ever brouglit from the South
American forests. This Orchid possesses quite a history, and its introduction affords an instance of what the perseverance
and energy of a collcctor will accomplish. Importers may guide their travellers and put them on the track of
novelties, but the serious part of the work belongs solely to the men who jeopardise their lives in the perilous search for
new plants in trackless regions. Some, alas, lose their lives in the work, but their names live in the beautiful plants they
have been the means of introducing. Orchidists are familiar with the names of Wallis, Endris, Klaboch, Falkenbcrg,
Schroder, Arnold, Douglas, and others, who have died in the Oiuse of boUinical science.
An interesting note respecting the native habitat of Cattleya Lawrenceana was published in the Gardeners-
Chronicle last year froni Mr, E. F. im Tliurn, who had recently ascended the Roraima niountain. Me states that the
altitude of the spot ^^•hcre the Cattleya occurs is 375° ^ ct above sea level, alongside the Kookcnaam river, where it flovvs
at the base on the south side of the twin mountains of Roraima and Kookenaam,
As to the ¡)lant itself we have little to say. Mr. Moon's successful drawing of it shows more than words can
describe. Its e.xtreme beauty, its floriferousness, and its absolute distinctness from any other Cattleya, have been so well
pourtrayed. Although it has not been more tlian a year or so in cultivation it is already an established favourite, for every
one appreciates its value as an early summer flo\vering Cattleya, It conimences to floiver about March, when the C. Trian^i
flowering season is on the wane, and continues to bloom until the early flowers of C. Mossiae and C. Mendelii appear. Its
multiflorous character is most remarkable, for eight fio;vcrs have already been produced on home grown bulbs, so
it is probable that as many as four teen- the number of scars seen on the decayed flower spikes of imported plants, which
often measure over a foot in length—may be obtained in Europe. The colour varies from pale lilac, indeed almost white
to a deep purple lilac, with a deep maroon crimson lip. In some forms the lip is entirely coloured, while in others the
upper part is pure white or primrose yellow.
This Cattleya succeeds best when placed at the warmest end of a Cattleya house during activc growth. The plants
should be ex|3osed to full light and sun, for, though it grows in Roraima in diffused light, it must not be shaded in this
country except during excessively bright days. It may be grown in hanging baskets or in pots, but, as it g rows naturally
among rocks, it will no doubt be found to thrive best under pot culture, like C. Percivaliana. The pots must 1« placed
near the roof, on the sunny .side of the house. After the flowering season, which occurs during March and April, they
should be placed at the coolest part of the Cattleya house, so as to rest the plants, and \vater should be sparingly given,
suflicicnt only to keep the bulbs from shrivelling. As soon as young growths appear the plants must be removal to their
warm growing ijuarters, and there receive abundance of water and light.
Drawn from a plant in the possession of Sir Trevor Laivrence, Bart, M.P., Burford Lrtlgc, Dorlciiig,