BAEKEEIA. 95 



Bakkeria. 



These plants are deciduous, losing their leaves during their 

 season of rest ; they are small growing, but free in producing 

 flowers, which are both rich and delicate in colour. The 

 Barkerias merit a place in every collection ; they are compact- 

 growing, with upright slender bulbs, from the top of which 

 the numerous flower stems are produced. These plants suc- 

 ceed best on blocks of wood of a flat shape, so that the plants 

 can be tied on the top without any moss. They send out 

 their thick fleshy roots very freely, and will soon cHng to the 

 blocks. They require to be grown in a cool-house, where 

 they can receive air every day during their season of growth. 

 The Mexican house will be the most suitable place for them, 

 and during their season of growth a good supply of water — 

 twice a day in summer will not be too much for them ; but 

 during their season of rest very little water will sufiice — only 

 enough to keep their bulbs from shrivelling, about two or three 

 times a week. They should be suspended from the roof, near 

 the glass, where they can receive plenty of light, but not too 

 much sun. 



B. elegans. — A splendid species from Guatemala, producing 

 upright spikes during the winter season ; sepals and petals 

 dark rose ; lip reddish crimson, spotted and edged with a lighter 

 colour ; flowers as large as those of B. spectahilis. The finest 

 of the genus, and very rare ; of this there are two varieties. 



B. Lindleyana. — From the same country as the preceding. 

 The flowers are produced on a long spike, and are of a rich 

 purple colour, with a blotch of white in the centre of the lip. 

 Blooms in September and October, and lasts long in good 

 condition. 



B. melanocaulon, — A pretty and free-flowering Orchid from 

 Costa Rica. The sepals and petals are lilac, and the labellum 



