ONCIDIUM. 247 



0. Warsceii'iczil. — A very distinct novelty in the way of 0. 

 vexillarium ; flowers creamy white, with the exception of the 

 sepals and petals, which have a blotch of bro^\^lish purple on 

 the base. Dr. Reichenbach says " this species is not equal to 

 O. vexillarium, but that it will be as much admired by 

 amateurs on account of its numerous varieties." 



Oncidium. 



This is a large genus of Orchids, of which many of the species 

 are very beautiful. All of them are evergreen ; their flowers 

 are rich coloured and showy, and they make fine exhibition 

 plants, and also for decoration. Some of them are large 

 growers, while others are more compact ; and, in addition to 

 their flowers, some species have handsomely spotted 

 foHage. They have generally short thick pseudobulbs, from 

 which the leaves and flower spikes proceed ; but in this 

 respect there is much dissimilarity among them. Some 

 kinds succeed well on blocks of wood, but they are generally 

 best grown in pots, with peat and moss and good drainage. 

 They require a liberal supply of heat and moisture in the 

 growing season ; afterwards only just enough water is 

 required to keep their leaves and bulbs plump and firm. The 

 Cattleya house is most suited for them. These plants are 

 very accommodating ; they will thrive in either house, and 

 are propagated by division of the pseudobulbs. The follow- 

 ing are all fine sorts, and ought to be in every collection, 

 being of easy culture. There are, moreover, many other On- 

 cidiums worth growing, besides those named in the following 

 list. 



0. acianacemn. — This is a very distinct and elegant species, 

 producing spikes from one to two feet long ; flowers about 

 an inch across ; sepals white ; the large petals are violet, 

 bordered with white ; the lip is the same colour, shaded with 



