28 TREATMENT OF EPIPHYTAL OKCHIDS. 



lieat and moisture during the growing season ; afterwards it 

 should be kept very cool, but never very dry at any time. Its 

 flowers are scentless, and only remain two or three days in 

 perfection. 



35. Chysis hractescens. — This useful plant comes from 

 Oaxaca ; it flowers in March and July ; the blossoms, which 

 are large, and pure white with a yellow centre, are produced in 

 a cluster of five or six together. It succeeds best on a rugged 

 block, or in a basket surrounded with fibry peat, and suspended 

 near the roof, where it should have a plentiful supply of 

 moisture and heat during the growing season ; but afterwards it 

 may be kept cool and nearly dry, for it is very impatient of 

 much moisture. Its flowers remain long in perfection, and have 

 a slight odour. [Of all plants this is tlie best adapted for deco- 

 rating ladies' hair. Its flowers may be used once, twice, thrice, 

 or even four times, if skill be applied to their preservation, and 

 yet they are fresh and sweet.] 



36. Zygopetalum Mackayi. — A desirable Brazilian plant, 

 which flowers in November, December, and January ; the 

 flowers are produced in upright spikes, large, greenish yellow, 

 spotted or striped with brown and lilac. It is best grown in a 

 well-drained pot, filled with fibry peat and half-decayed leaves ; 

 when at rest, it should be kept rather dry and cool. Its flowers 

 remain long in perfection, and are very fragrant. 



37. A?is€llia africana comes from the island of Fernando 

 Po, and flowers in February, March, and April. The flowers 

 are produced in upright panicles ; they are pale green, spotted 

 and banded with crimson, and have a pale yellow lip. It suc- 

 ceeds best in a large pot, well drained and filled with fibry peat 

 and leaf-mould, with plenty of heat and moisture during its 

 growing season, but afterwards it may be kept rather cool, but 

 never very dry. Its flowers remain long in perfection, and 

 emit a slight odour. 



38. Acineta Humholdtii. — This singular plant comes from La 

 Guayra, and flowers in April, May, and June ; the flowers are 

 of a chocolate colour, marbled with light brown, large, and 

 produced in long, pendulous bunches. It is best grown on a 

 rugged block, surrounded with fibry peat and half-decayed 

 leaves, and suspended near tlie roof, where it can receive a 

 liberal supply of heat and moisture diiring the growing season ; 

 afterwards, V)ut only for a short time, it siiould be iufhiced to 

 rest by keeping it rather dry. Its flowers remain only a short 

 time in perfection ; tliey are fragrant. 



