272 ORCHID- grower's manual. 



and replace them on blocks with a little sphagnum, giving 

 them a good supply of moistui'e, and placing them at the 

 warmest end of the house, but not too much exposed to the 

 light ; under this treatment they will soon begin to root and 

 improve in appearance. I need hardly add that they should 

 be kept clear of insects, especially thrips, which soon dis- 

 figure the foliage. Constant attention and frequent washing 

 of the leaves with a sponge and clean water, or fumigating 

 the house with tobacco smoke, is the way to keep clear of all 

 such pests ; the latter operation, however, should be con- 

 ducted with great care. 



These plants are difficult to propagate. To this rule, how- 

 ever, P. Luddemanniana is an exception, as it produces young 

 plants upon the flower spikes very freely. Sometimes the 

 other species will also produce young plants on the old 

 flower stems, and these should be left on till well rooted, and 

 then placed on small blocks. 



P. amahilis. — The Queen of Orchids. This magnificent 

 plant, which comes from Manilla, produces its graceful spikes 

 of flowers nearly all the year round. The flowers are each 

 three inches across, and arranged in a distichous manner 

 along the spike ; sepals and petals pure white ; the lip of the 

 same colour, but beautifully streaked inside with rose pink. 

 The flowers continue in perfection a long time, if they are 

 kept free from damp, but if allowed to get wet they are apt 

 to spot. There are many varieties of this. I saw some 

 fine ones in the collection of G. Herriott, Esq., Highgate. 

 Some of them were very large and good in shape. 



P. amethystina. — An elegant little plant which, though not 

 so showy as some of the genus, yet is a nice addition to this 

 beautiful and popular family. The leaves are somewhat 

 oblong, but narrower towards the base, stout, waved at the 

 edges, and dark green ; spike about a foot long, with a few 



