304 ORCHID- grower's manual. 



Propagation is effected by taking off the young growths 

 which spring from near the base of the stem, or by cutting 

 the stem as directed in the case of Aerides. 



V. Batemanii. — A noble, upright- growing stately plant, the 

 leaves of which are thick and very stiff, and of a pale green 

 colour. The spike is long and erect, bearing many large 

 flowers ; sepals and petals thick and fleshy, yellow spotted 

 with crimson in front, rosy crimson at the back ; lip crimson. 

 It blooms in July, August, and September, and continues 

 blooming for three months. Native of the Philippine Islands. 



V. Bensoni. — A very nice addition to this beautiful genus, 

 belonging to the V. Roxburghii section. A free-growing plant, 

 producing spikes eighteen inches long, with flowers two inches 

 in diameter, white on the outside, and greenish yellow, dotted 

 with reddish brown on the inside ; lip white and violet colour. 

 Native of Rangoon. 



V. Cathcartii. — This distinct species somewhat resembles 

 Benantliera coccinea in general appearance. The leaves are 

 short, broad, and bluntly bilobed, arranged in a distichous 

 manner, and pale green in colour. The spike is drooping, 

 bearing four or five large fleshy flowers ; sepals and petals 

 chocolate-brown, striped with numerous transverse bands of 

 yellow on the inside ; lip large, the centre lobe cordate, 

 having a soft yellow thickened margin. This species has 

 now become established in our collections. Native of Northern 

 India. 



F. ccsrulea. — This remarkably handsome plant produces 

 upright spikes, each bearing nine or ten flowers, or more ; 

 the flowers are five inches across, are produced during the 

 autumn months, and last six weeks in perfection. Sepals and 

 petals of a beautiful pallid blue, lip a darker shade of the 

 same tint. It does not require so much heat as the other kinds. 

 I saw this plant in very robust health with Mr. Denning, 



