Jan. 1896.] BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH. 505 



IV. Notes on Plants in the Plant Houses. By R L. 

 Harrow. 



December of 189 5 has been a favourable one for plants 

 cultivated under glass, being generally mild, and thus any 

 extremes of artificial heating, which often prove a weaken- 

 ing agent during the dull winter months, have been rendered 

 unnecessary. Among the first plants to break into a 

 new season's growth are the tropical ferns, and the 

 adiantums are usually a few weeks in advance of other 

 genera in producing fresh fronds. 



Among the most interesting plants that have flowered 

 the following may be noted : — 



Epidcndrum paniculatum, Euiz et Pax. An epiphytal 

 orchid, one of the most widely distributed in S. America. 

 The terete stems are about two feet long under cultivation, 

 but in their native habitat are said to reach from three to 

 four feet. The pale lilac and dull green flowers are very 

 fragrant. The date of introduction is unknown. 



Saccolabinm gigantcum, Lindl. This strong growing 

 species is, under culture in this country, a dwarf-growing 

 plant, with a close-set spike of fragrant flowers having 

 white sepals and petals dotted with amethyst spots. It 

 was first introduced in quantity by Messrs. Veitch in 1864 

 from Burmah. 



Masdcvallia iwlysticta , Rchb. This winter-flowering 

 species is a native of Peru, and was introduced to this 

 country by Messrs. Veitch in 1874. Its scape of five to 

 seven fragrant flowers rises well above the leaves. The 

 sepals are pale lilac, dotted with numerous purple spots, 

 and the tails are light yellow, about half an inch long. 



Other species of orchids which have flowered during the 

 month are : — Cyprijpedmin Lceanum, Hort., — a hybrid of 

 C. insigne x C. Sjyicerianum raised by Messrs. Veitch ; 

 C. venustum, — a pretty species with mottled foliage from 

 Nepal, the petals bearing several dark blotches along 

 their margins ; C. Dauthcrii, Hort., — with rather large 

 flowers, a hybrid of C. Harrisianium x C. villosuvi; 

 Bodriguezia puhescens, Rchb., — the pendulous racemes of 

 yellowish white flowers are sweetly fragrant. The plant 



TRANS. BOT. SOC. EDIN. VOL. XX, 2K 



