145.-DIACRIUM (EPIDENDRUM) BICORNUTUM, Hook. 

 DIACRIUM (EPIDENDRUM) INDIVISUM, Bradf. MSS. 



HESE two orchids are still common in Trinidad, although 

 the yearly export by collectors has diminished the supply 

 to a considerable extent. 



D. bicornutum is found almost exclusiveli/ on the seashore, where 

 it grows on rocks and the branches of trees well exposed to the breeze. 

 It forms at times magnificent clumps, which are seen to advantage 

 when in flower, in Avell protected positions. 



A clump of this class was well figured in the Gardener^ s Chronicle 

 for September 22nd, 1884, fig. 45, p. 337. This figure was engraved 

 from a photograph by F. Morin, Esqr., of Port-of-Spain, from a picture 

 of a plant in the garden of a suburban villa belonging to Mrs. 

 Kavanagh. 



We have had similar clumps in flower near the office of the 

 ■Gardens from February to May, where they are simply hung up 

 attached to the blocks of wood as they were cut from seaside trees, 

 having no compost, basket or other support of any kind. The 

 attention they receive is to secure them against the attacks of insects, 

 cockroaches, etc., etc., and to give an occasional watering in dry 

 weather. They are fully exposed vertically, but are sheltered on all 

 sides by buildings and trees. 



The second species, D. indivisum, Bradf., is one which is confined 

 almost exclusively to the inland districts. It differs from the pre- 

 ceding in being of much smaller size, and by having an undivided lip 

 which is quite white, and not spotted as in D. bicornutum and the 

 pseudo bulbs and leaves are also much smaller. An expanded flower 

 of D. bicornutum, Hook — which was taken at hazard from a clump — 

 measures 2^ inches in breadth, while another of D. indivisum, Bradf., 

 measures only 1^ inches in the same diameter. D. indivisum is more 

 amenable to cultivation than its larger brother and makes an ex- 

 ceedingly pretty plant when well grown. Both plants are very 

 impatient of moisture, and when established will stand drought 

 almost with impunity. Doubts have been expressed as to the specific 

 value of the name of D. indivisum, Bradf., but to the field Botanist 

 who is conversant with the plants in their homes, the characters are 

 clearly marked, and no intermediate forms have as yet been seen. 

 It is true that the latter plant is (as Grisebach says) nearly allied, 



