Lycastes are found in the woods, of Guatemala especially, and I have heard no such adventures in the gathering of them as attend Odontoglossums.  Easily obtained, easily transported, and remarkably easy to grow, of course they are cheap.  A man must really “give his mind to it” to kill a Lycaste.  This counts for much, no doubt, in the popularity of the genus, but it has plenty of other virtues. L.  Skinneri opens in the depth of winter, and all the rest, I think, in the dull months.  Then, they are profuse of bloom, throwing up half a dozen spikes, or, in some species, a dozen, from a single bulb, and the flowers last a prodigious time.  Their extraordinary thickness in every part enables them to withstand bad air and changes of temperature, so that ladies keep them on a drawing-room table, night and day, for months, without change perceptible.  Mr. Williams names an instance where a L.  Skinneri, bought in full bloom on February 2, was kept in a sitting-room till May 18, when the purchaser took it back, still handsome.  I have heard cases more surprising.  Of species somewhat less common there is L. aromatica, a little gem, which throws up an indefinite number of short spikes, each crowned with a greenish yellow triangular sort of cup, deliciously scented.  I am acquainted with no flower that excites such enthusiasm among ladies who fancy Messrs. Liberty’s style of toilette; sad experience tells me that ten commandments or twenty will not restrain them from appropriating it. L. cruenta is almost as tempting.  As for L. leucanthe, an exquisite combination of pale green and snow white, it ranks with L.  Skinneri alba as a thing too beautiful for words.  This species has not been long introduced, and at the moment it is dear proportionately.  There is yet another virtue of the Lycaste which appeals to the expert.  It lends itself readily to hybridization.  This most fascinating pursuit attracts few amateurs as yet, and the professionals have little time or inclination for experiments.  They naturally prefer to make such crosses as are almost certain to pay.  Thus it comes about that the hybridization of Lycastes has been attempted but recently, and none of the seedlings, so far as I can learn, have flowered.  They have been obtained, however, in abundance, not only from direct crossing, but also from alliance with Zygopetalum, Anguloa, and Maxillaria.

The genus Cypripedium, Lady’s Slipper, is perhaps more widely scattered over the globe than any other class of plant; I, at least, am acquainted with none that approaches it.  From China to Peru—­nay, beyond, from Archangel to Torres Straits,—­but it is wise to avoid these semi-poetic descriptions.  In brief, if we except Africa and the temperate parts of Australia, there is no large tract of country in the world that does not produce Cypripediums; and few authorities doubt that a larger acquaintance with those realms will bring them under the rule.  We