418 JOURNAL, BOMBA Y NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV J. 



to be thrown out at some of the joints. When these are sufficiently 

 grown, the old stem is cut away immediately above and below each, and 

 the young plants caD then be grown in a pot or on a block of wood 

 with a little moss, or be wired on to a tree ; but Dendrobium amoinum 

 is very shy of this sort of treatment, though it will occasionally develop 

 young plants. 



4. Auricles multiflorum (also known as A. affine.) (Plate B.) — A 

 compactly growing little plant, living entirely on trees at from o,000 to 

 4,50u feet elevation. The general appearance of the plant is a bunch of 

 spotted, brownish, leathery leaves, much curved, channelled, and unevenly 

 dented at the top. From this bunch of leaves the flower stalks hang- 

 surrounded by their cylindrical masses of densely packed pretty little 

 rose-coloured flowers. . The iErides have no pseudobulbs on which 

 to depend for nourishment during their season of rest, so one imagines 

 that the fleshy leaves and numerous roots have to answer the purpose. 

 But, curiously enough, these orchids are usually found in dry situations, 

 so it seems probable that a somewhat dry treatment would best suit 

 them. 



5. jErides odoratum. (Plate C.) — An epiphyte found between 3,000 

 and 4,500 feet on trees only. Unlike the last species which has numer- 

 ous, but flat, roots that burrow deep into the moss on the large branches 

 of trees, this orchid is provided with very long, round elastic roots 

 which fasten themselves firmly here and there to the smaller branches 

 on which no moss grows. It is, therefore, much more one's precon- 

 ceived idea of what an iErides or " Air Plant " should be. 



The flowers are, perhaps, more curious than beautiful, being very 

 fleshy in texture, and are very sweet scented. They are cream- 

 coloured with amethyst shading, and have a curious up-turned spur at 

 the back. When the flower spike first begins to form, it is covered 

 with a gummy substance. The flowers are somewhat variable in their 

 time of appearance, but are usually to be found out in May, June 

 and July. Like all our Himalayan orchids, this species does most of 

 its growing during the rains. Its season of rest may be put down 

 between October and April. With regard to the watering of this 

 genus, as of all orchids which have no pseudobulb, the best rule to go 

 by seems to be never to allow the leaves to shrivel. 



6. Phaius albus. (Plate C.)— Authorities appear to differ as to the 

 naming of this genus, some adhering to Phaius or Phajus, whilst others 



