ORCHIDS OF LESSER VALUE 193 



is best treated in the same way as the Pleiones or " Indian 

 Crocuses," except that a stove temperature is at all times desirable. 

 The fragrant flowers of Ipsea speciosa are large for the size of the 

 plant, orange-yellow, with reddish lines on the disk. 



MEGACLINIUM 



The Megacliniums appear to be confined to Western and 

 Eastern Tropical Africa. They are allied to the Bulbophyllums, 

 and need to be grown in similar fashion. They are very quaint 

 Orchids, but not a single species possesses high horticultural merit. 

 The flowers are small, and borne along a flattened rhachis or 

 spike, and in the case of M. Bufo these look like a row of tiny, 

 green frogs sitting along the middle of the back of a small, flattened 

 snake. Dr Lindley considered that all arguments against the 

 transmigration of souls would have been superfluous had Pytha- 

 goras been familiar with M. Bufo. M. Clarkei, M. falcatum, 

 M. leucorhachis, M. minutum, and M. triste, are also interest- 

 ing, though in no sense can they be regarded as beautiful. 



MICROSTYLIS 



A genus of East Indian Orchids that need stove treatment 

 and a long period of decided rest. Small pots or pans, and a com- 

 post of peat and sphagnum suits them, and an abundance of 

 moisture when they are growing is essential. The species have 

 interesting flowers, but they are not showy, and their greatest 

 value lies in the beauty of their leaves, these being variously 

 coloured with green, grey, purple, rose, red, cream and brown. 

 M. calophylla, M. congesta, M. macrochila, M. metallica, 

 M. scoTTii, and M. Wallichii are the best species. 



