ORCHIDS OF LESSER VALUE 183 



related to the Zygopetalums, for it has wedded freely with the 

 latter. The result of this association is seen in the series of 

 beautiful little bigeneric Orchids referred to under the title of 

 Zygocolax (which see). 



CORYANTHES 



Though of little value horticulturally, the Coryanthes show 

 a floral development of so remarkable a character that they occupy 

 a high position among the marvels of the vegetable kingdom. A 

 minute description of the flower would occupy considerable space, 

 and would not convey a very good idea of its extraordinary shape. 

 It must suffice to say that the flowers are large and fleshy, short- 

 lived, and have a lip that hangs from a stout, hooded arm, and 

 is broadly pouched so as to catch the nectar dripping from 

 two finger-like processes. The chief species are Coryanthes 

 MACRANTHA and C. MACULATA. The former is yellow and red, 

 and the latter yellow, crimson and purple. They are best grown 

 as advised for Stanhopeas, except that theyimust not be dried so 

 severely during their resting season. 



COMPARETTIA 



The Comparettias are lowly Orchids with long-spurred, 

 showy flowers, borne in slender, drooping racemes. They grow 

 best in baskets in peat and sphagnum, suspended in a shady part 

 of the Cattleya House, or in the Intermediate House. Com- 

 PARETTiA MACROPLECTON is the best species, as it flowers freely, 

 producing its rose, purple-speckled flowers in the Summer. The 

 lip is very large compared with the other segments. Other species, 



