bearing a fine head of ten flowers, and C. x Rutilant (X Maroni × Fabia Vigeriana), a very handsome hybrid, which received a First-class Certificate, having a large reddish crimson flower of excellent shape and a rather darker glowing crimson lip.

Messrs. James Cypher & Sons, Cheltenham, received a Silver Banksian Medal for a very pretty group, including many good Cypripediums, noteworthy among them being the fine C. × Transvaal superbum, two good C. × Maudiæ, C. × Milo, Westonbirt var., C. X triumphans, × Olivia, × Niobe, Fairrieanum, &c.

Messrs. Sander & Sons, St. Albans, received a Silver Banksian Medal for a good group, including several Cypripedium Fairrieanum with about two dozen flowers, C. X Hitchinsiæ, and several others, a good example of Catasetum Russellianum, Ancistrochilus Thomsonianus, Miltonia spectabilis Moreliana, Lælio-cattleya Hildegard, Nysa, Lycidas, and La France (L. tenebrosa x C. bicolor), and other interesting things.

Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Enfield, sent a pretty little group, including Cattleya Iris, C. X Atalanta, Oncidium Lanceanum, Vanda Kimballiana, Lælio-cattleya bletchleyensis, Cypripedium Godefroyæ leucochilum, C. X triumphans, and others.

Messrs. J. & A. A. McBean, Cooksbridge, sent a small group, including Odontoglossum crispum and Harryanum, with Cattleya × Iris, Epiphronitis Veitchii, Oncidium bicallosum, Cypripedium × Maudiæ, and others.

Mr. G. W. Miller, Wisbech, sent a plant of Lælio-cattleya Cassandra. Messrs. Moore, Ltd., Rawdon, Leeds, sent two fine forms of Cattleya X Iris, Cypripedium Charlesworthii magnificum, and an inflorescence of Neobenthamia gracilis.

Messrs. Stanley & Co., Southgate, sent Cattleya x F. W. Wigan, Cypripedium bellatulum, and C. X A. de Lairesse.

MANCHESTER AND NORTH OF ENGLAND ORCHID.

A MEETING of this Society was held at the Coal Exchange, Manchester, on September 3rd, when there were many evidences of the season's revival, several good groups of plants being exhibited. The following members of the Committee were present:-Messrs. E. Ashworth (Chairman), R. Ashworth, Thorp, Ward, Warburton, Shill, Upjohn, Ball, Keeling, Holmes, Cypher, Ashton, Parker, and Weathers (Secretary).

Richard Ashworth, Esq., J.P., Newchurch (gr. Mr. Fletcher), staged a bright and varied group, which gained the Society's Silver Medal. The chief items were Cypripedium × Aphrodite, C. × gigas Corndean Hall var., several good Odontoglossum crispum, Cattleya x Hardyana, and a distinct hybrid, Lælia præstans X L. tenebrosa, with a very dark labellum, whilst centrally stood a well flowered specimen of Miltonia candida grandiflora.

J. McCartney, Esq., Hey House, Bolton (gr. Mr. Holmes), staged an interesting group of Lælias and Cattleyas, a bright looking flower of C. Gaskelliana picturata gaining an Award of Merit. The group included C. Gaskelliana alba, several good specimens of C. Harrisoniana, C. Leopoldi, C. granulosa, Lælio-cattleya bletchleyensis, L.-c. callistoglossa, Cypripedium Clinkaberryanum, the handsome C. × Chas. Richman, &c. (Silver Medal).

Mr. J. Birchenall, Alderley Edge, showed a small group, which included Miltonia Lamarcheana, Bollea Lalindei, a curious species of Catasetum, and Cypripedium × Oberon.

Mr. Shackleton, Gt. Horton, Bradford, showed Cypripedium X Leoneæ, C. x Maudiæ, and C. X vexillarium.

Z. A. Ward, Esq., Northenden (gr. Mr. Weatherby), staged a fine group, in which half a dozen plants of the beautiful and variously-tinted Cattleya × Iris were a prominent feature. I noted also a well-flowered plant of Oncidium incurvum, Cypripedium X Mahleræ, C. x A. de Lairesse, Cattleya granulosa, and two or three plants of C. Dowiana aurea X Harrisoniana (Silver Medal).

E. Rogerson, Esq., Oakdene, Didsbury (gr. Mr. Price), showed the rare and beautiful Cypripedium × Princess in two fine and well grown plants, Lælio-cattleya Mandarin, and Cypripedium × Priceanum (Harrisianum X violaceum), the latter gaining an Award of Merit.

Chas. Parker, Esq., Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston, showed a nice group of Cypripediums, gaining a Bronze Medal. C. X vexillarium var. Rougieri was given an Award of Merit, and I noted a good C. x Massaianum superbum, C. × Mahleræ, Young's var., very good, C. callosum Sanderæ, C. X Gowerianum magnificum, &c.

Max Isaac, Esq., Blundellsands, Liverpool (gr. Mr. Driver), showed a fine Cypripedium X Maudiæ magnificum, C. x Chas. Canham, Oncidium Wentworthianum, and a well flowered Lycaste Deppei.

H. J. Bromilow, Esq., Rainhill, Liverpool (gr. Mr. Morgan), gained an Award of Merit for Cypripedium X Germaine Opoix, Westfield var. He also sent C. X Rappartianum, and C. x Maudiæ.

G. Shorland Ball, Esq., Burton, Westmoreland (gr. Mr. Herdman), staged a very fine group, and gained Awards of Merit for Cypripedium X Baron Schröder var. ardens, C. x Victory (oenanthum triumphans), Cycnoches chlorochilon, and Brassia Wrayæ, and Botanical Certificates for Eria species and Oncidium species. I noted also a nice piece of Coelogyne corrugata, the beautiful Cypripedium X Leeanum Lord Ossulton, C. X Maudiæ, C. X Leoneæ, C. X Milo magnificum, C. X A. de Lairesse, &c. The group was divided for Cup purposes and received two Silver Medals.

A. Warburton, Esq., Vine House, Haslingden (gr. Mr. Dalgleish), showed

Cypripedium bingleyense superbum, C. x Lawrebel magnificum and Cattleya Iris var. Othello, all of which received Awards of Merit.

S. Gratrix, Esq., Whalley Range (gr. Mr. Shill), showed the beautiful new hybrid albino Cypripedium × Rossetti (C. insigne Sanderianum × Maudiæ), in good form, and which was figured and described in detail at page 265 of your last issue. The plant was given the only First-classCertificate of the meeting.

Messrs. Moore & Co., Ltd., Rawdon, Leeds, staged an interesting group, which included many botanical species and varieties. Centrally stood a well flowered plant of Stanhopea oculata, and I noted also a nice Cypripedium barbato-Charlesworthii, and several other Cypripediums, Lælio-cattleya Cassandra, L.-c. Geo. Woodhams, L.-c. Edwena, Cattleya X Iris, C. elatior, &c. (Silver Medal).

AT the meeting held on September 24th the following members of the Committee were present:-Messrs. E. Ashworth (Chairman), Smith, Thorp, Ward, Warburton, Shill, Ball, Keeling, Holmes, Ashton, Cypher, Parker, and Weathers (Sec.). Over fifty plants were brought before the Committee.

Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Enfield, staged a fine group, the beautiful Cattleya Iris predominating. I noted also a nice hybrid between Cattleya dolosa and labiata, two plants of Lælio-cattleya Ophir, Cypripedium X Maudiæ, Oncidium Lanceanum, Zygopetalum rostratum, &c. (Silver Medal).

Max Isaac, Esq., Blundellsands, Liverpool (gr. Mr. Driver), showed Cattleya bicolor and C. X Maroni, Odontoglossum Harryanum, and a hybrid Cypripedium in which C. Charlesworthii was very apparent (Vote of Thanks).

J. McCartney, Esq., Hey House, Bolton (gr. Mr. Holmes), showed a fine group of Cattleya and Lælia species, including C. Harrisoniana, C. Gaskelliana, a fine C. Aclandiæ, C. x Maroni, Lælio-cattleya Phryne inversa, a fine L.-c. elegans, and Odontoglossum grande; whilst Cattleya × Adula, C. x Pittiana var. Princess Patricia, and C. Dowiana aurea, Hey House var., all gained Awards of Merit. The group, being divided, gained a Silver and Bronze Medal.

G. Shorland Ball, Esq., Burton, Westmoreland (gr. Mr. Herdman), staged a mixed group of good quality, many fine Cypripediums being included. C. × Niobe, Underfell var., and Oncidium Papilio, Underfell var., gained Awards of Merit; while a First-class Certificate was given to Cymbidium erythrostylum. The best of the others were Cypripedium × Maudiæ, C. X Victory, C. x Leeanum var. Lord Ossulton, C. x A. de Lairesse, C. X Baron Schröder var. ardens, &c. (Silver and Bronze Medals).

Chas. Parker, Esq., Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston, showed a small group of Cypripediums, receiving an Award of Merit for a good and highly coloured. C. X Lawrebel var. Prestona. I noted also a fine C. X Mahleræ, C. x vexillarium var. Rougeri, &c. (Bronze Medal).

Messrs. Cypher & Sons, Cheltenham, showed a bright group, though many of the best things were cut flowers. I noted a good Cypripedium × Milo, Westonbirt var., C. × Maudiæ, C. Fairrieanum, C. X triumphans, Zygopetalum rostratum, a good plant of Cattleya × Mantinii superba, Dendrobium Phalaenopsis, &c. (Silver Medal).

Messrs. Moore & Co., Rawdon, Leeds, exhibited a fine group, in which several good specimens of Vanda cœrulea of excellent type formed the centre of attraction. The group included many specimens of botanical interest. I noted Stenoglottis longifolia, Octomeria diaphana, Bulbophyllum Godseffianum, B. barbigerum, Warscwiczella velata, Masdevallia macrura, Pleurothallis scapha, Odontoglossum ramosissimum, Cycnoches chlorochilon, Cattleya X Iris, &c. (Silver Medal).

Mr. Shackleton, Gt. Horton, Bradford, showed Cypripedium × Leeanum, Highfield var., C. x Maudiæ, and Sigmatostalix radicans.

Ed. Rogerson, Esq., Oakdene, Didsbury (gr. Mr. Price), showed Cypripedium × Niobe Westonbirt var., C. X Stanley Rogerson, and C. × St. Mary.

Mr. J. Birchenall, Alderly Edge, showed Miltonia X Lamarcheana, a distinct Bollea Lalindei, Oncidium abortivum, &c.

Messrs. Keeling & Sons, Westgate Hill, Bradford, showed a small group, in which I noted plants of Cypripedium Fairrieanum, C. × Arthurianum, Oncidium Forbesii, &c.

Mr. Upjohn, The Gardens, Worsley, staged a very fine group of wellgrown and flowered Odontoglossum grande, in which I noted many varietal shades (Bronze Medal).

Mrs. Wood, Moorfield, Glossop (gr. Mr. Gould), showed a small group of Lælio-cattleya hybrids, receiving a Vote of Thanks.

A. Warburton, Esq., Haslingden (gr. Mr. Dalgleish), staged the best group of the meeting, all the plants being of high quality. The group was divided for "cup" purposes, and gained three medals, Silver-gilt, Silver, and Bronze. A fine flower of Cypripedium × Daisy Barclay, with specially large and dark markings, gained a First-class Certificate, while C. X Watsonianum superbum, and C. × Verdi, a fine hybrid, gained Awards of Merit. Cattleya Vergilius, an albino, said to be a seedling, but more probably imported, C. granulosa, a pale yellow-green form, and Odontoglossum Uroskinneri var. Orpheus, a rich dark variety, also received Awards of Merit. I noted also O. Uroskinneri album, many well-grown O. crispum, several good Cypripediums, Cattleyas, &c.

J. Holden, Esq., Southport (gr. Mr. Johnson), showed Cymbidium erythrostylum (First-class Certificate), and Cypripedium X southportense (Award of Merit).

ERRATA.-The Cypripedium × Stanley Rogerson in the group of Ed. Rogerson, Esq., mentioned at p. 280, should read C. × St. Mary, and the Cypripedium in the collection of R. Ashworth, Esq., a few lines lower, should read C. x Rolfei var. R. Ashworth (First-class Certificate).

H. THORP.

GOVENIA LAGENOPHORA.

THE genus Govenia is not often met with in cultivation, but it exhibits a remarkable character which we do not remember in any other, namely that of producing a large bladder-shaped sheath, which forms a flask-like receptacle for holding water, this being well shown in Govenia lagenophora, which is now flowering at Kew. This species was described nearly seventy years ago, but was soon confused with another species, and has since been practically lost sight of. About a year ago a dried specimen and a pencil sketch, together with a living bulb, which had been collected in the state of Vera Cruz, were sent by M. Juan Balme, Hijo, Mexico. The bulb commenced to grow in the spring, and has now flowered, proving identical with the plant described by Lindley in 1839 (Bot. Reg., xxv. Misc. p. 46). The latter flowered in the collection of John Rogers, Esq., Jun., Vine Lodge, Sevenoaks, who imported it from Mexico. The innermost sheath, which surmounts the bulb, was described as entire, and resembling a Florence flask in shape, in allusion to which the specific name (literally flaskbearing) was given. Mr. Rogers remarked that the pitcher was generally full of water, all the rain and dew which fell on it being conducted into it, and was apparently absorbed by the plant, for if not replenished it disap peared more rapidly than evaporation would account for. He added, "The plant evidently delights in water when growing, and is apparently a native of bogs and swamps."

A description of the plant was communicated by Mr. Rogers, the spike being described as bearing forty or fifty flowers, exhaling in the forenoon the fragrance of Habenaria bifolia, but their colour was not recorded. Lindley then remarked that Swartz's Cymbidium utriculatum was evidently a member of the same genus, and he therefore called it Govenia utriculata (l.c. p. 47). The original specimen is not preserved in Lindley's Herbarium, so may not have been sent, but there are wild specimens, collected by Hartweg and Meisner, apparently of later date, for they are not cited by Lindley. Bentham's Herbarium, however, contains a fine specimen, labelled "Hab. e. Mex., Lindley, 1840." This is evidently authentic, and is