DENDEOBIUM. 161 



objects in an Orchid collection, even when out of bloom. 

 The large spikes of flowers, yellow^ spotted with red, are pro- 

 duced in April and May. In addition to the flowers the large 

 bracts at the base of each branch are also marked in the 

 same manner as the sepals and petals, which greatly increases 

 the display of colour. Native of Brazil. 



Dendeobium. 



This is a magnificent genus of Orchids, producing, in some 

 of the species, flowers which are very large and delicate in 

 colour, and delightfully fragrant ; indeed, there are not many 

 Orchids that surpass the Dcndrohiums, for their beautiful 

 flowers are of nearly every shade of colour, and some of 

 them blossom very freely. Many of them, moreover, retain 

 their leaves all the year round, whilst others are deciduous. 

 Some of the kinds are compact in their growth, w4iile others 

 are straggling ; and others again are very graceful in habit, 

 especially when cultivated in baskets and suspended from 

 the roof, for in this way their pendulous stems hang down and 

 exhibit the flowers to the best advantage ; indeed, all the 

 drooping kinds require to be grown either in baskets, or on 

 blocks of wood. 



Though some of the Dendrohiums require different treat- 

 ment from others, they may all be successfully cultivated with 

 proper attention. The majority of the species are found in 

 various parts of India and the Indian Islands, growing on the 

 branches of trees, frequently such as hang over streams of 

 water ; whilst others are found in Australia. To gi'ow these 

 plants to perfection, they must have a decided season both of 

 rest and of growth ; for it is quite necessary that they should 

 make strong stems or pseudobulbs for the production of a 

 good crop of flowers, and it is equally essential that these 

 growths should be well ripened. Some of the sorts are best 



