This species is one of the most beautiful of the Vandas, and comprises many varieties which differ much both in form and colour--sufficiently so, we think, to justify the adoption of distinctive names; but the botanists tell us that we must take them as varieties of _Vanda tricolor_, and distinguish them from each other as best we may. That which we are now about to figure and describe, is very distinct in the form of its flowers, as well as in colour, from the typical _V. tricolor_, represented at Plate 77. The plant from which our drawing was taken is a very fine specimen in the collection of Joseph Broome, Esq., Woodlawn, Didsbury, near Manchester, who is not only a great lover of plants, but also one who does much for the general advancement of the interests of horticulture.
_Vanda tricolor planilabris_ is a plant having a stately habit of growth; it is furnished with dark green foliage, and produces its flower-spikes on each side of the plant, from the axils of the two-ranked leaves, at different times of the year, usually bearing from seven to ten flowers on a spike. The sepals and petals are yellow, thickly marked with rich brown spots; the lip is rose colour, margined with purplish mauve, and striped with chocolate-brown. It continues for at least six weeks in perfection.
The plant requires the same treatment as that recommended for the allied plants under Plate 77, where a full account of these Vandas will be found.
Odontoglossum lyroglossum.--We received a fine spike of flowers of this rare Odontoglossum from E. Harvey, Esq., Aigburth, Liverpool, accompanied by a drawing of the same from the pencil of Miss Harvey--which latter we have returned, and for the use of which we beg to tender her our best thanks. It is a very pretty and interesting species. The spike bore eight blossoms, of which the sepals and petals were of a pale yellow, spotted with chestnut-brown, and the lip also yellow, with large brown spots in the centre.
We had the opportunity of seeing Mr. Harvey's collection of Orchids when at Liverpool in December last, when we found many of them in bloom, and among them some rare species, as well as good varieties of Cattleyas, Dendrobes, Lælias, and other genera. There was besides a fine assortment of Odontoglossums, some of which--good ones--were in blossom, and many others were showing flower-spikes. They were in excellent health, and made a nice display. In addition to the Orchids we found there a grand collection of Hardy Alpine Plants, which are well cared for, and in the spring and summer months must form a very interesting feature of the garden.--B. S. W.