AEACHNIS AEPOPHYLLUM. 93 



brown ; lip yellow ; keeps in beauty for two months. I have 

 seen upwards of a hundred flowers on one spike. 



A. africana gigantea. — A very fine variety of the preceding, 

 producing upright spikes from the top of the bulbs ; it flowers 

 about the same time, and is of the same colour as A. africana, 

 lasting a long time in perfection ; very rare. 



A. africana lutea. — A very distinct variety from Natal, 

 resembling the others in appearance, but not so strong in 

 growth, and producing clusters of light yellow flowers from the 

 top of the bulbs. 



Arachnis. 



This is a small genus of very curious and highly interesting 

 plants, requiring the same treatment as Aerides and Angrajcum. 



A. moschifei'a. — A very peculiar plant, somewhat like a 

 Renanthera in habit. The flowers are large, creamy white, or 

 lemon colour, with purple spots, and they very much resemble 

 a spider, from whence it has derived its generic name ; they 

 are very delicately scented with musk, and continue in perfec- 

 tion a long time. The old spike should not be cut, as it 

 produces flowers from its point for a long time. Native of Java. 



Aepophyllum:. 



There are only three plants belonging to this genus with 

 which I am acquainted that are worth growing. All three are 

 of handsome habit, with graceful evergreen foliage, and having 

 beautiful upright spikes of flowers, charmingly arranged, look- 

 ing not unlike rows of small shells clustering round the spike, 

 which is a foot or more in length. A. giganteum makes a 

 fine exhibition plant, and the colour is distinct from that of 

 most Orchids. All of them require the heat of a Mexican 

 house, and they are best grown in pots, in peat and good 



