paphina peristeria. 265 



Paphina. 



Of this pretty genus there are only two with which I am 

 acquainted, but both of them are well worth growing, being 

 compact in habit, and having short pseudobulbs and flag- 

 shaped leaves from six inches to a foot in length. They 

 succeed best in the CaUleya house, in pots, in good fibrous 

 peat, with plenty of drainage, and enjoy a liberal supply of 

 water at the roots during the growing season. Propagation 

 is effected by dividing the bulbs. 



P. cristata. — A pretty dwarf free-flowering species from 

 Demerara ; it grows about eight inches high, and has small 

 shining pseudobulbs, from the base of which the flower spike 

 is produced ; it usually bears about three flowers, the weight 

 of which causes the spike to become slightly pendulous ; 

 sepals and petals dark chocolate, tinged with purple ; lip 

 white, barred with purple, and fringed. There are two 

 varieties of this plant, one of which produces much darker 

 flowers than the other. It blooms at difi"erent times of the 

 year, and will remain in beauty for about a fortnight. 



P. tigrina. — A fine species which growls some ten or twelve 

 inches high, and produces its fine yellow and brown flowers 

 on an upright spike, several together ; it succeeds best potted 

 in peat, and should have good drainage. The flowers last 

 several weeks in perfection. Native of Trinidad. 



Peristeria. 



A singular genus of Orchids, of which there are several 

 species, but only three that I can recommend as worthy the 

 attention of the amateur. Peristeria elata, the Dove plant, is 

 a noble species, and one which ought to be in every collection. 

 These plants produce flower spikes from the side of their 

 large pseudobulbs, near the base. They will succeed in 

 either the East Indian or the CaUleya house, and should 



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