BLETIA. 95 



B. Beaumontii. — A very singular and interesting plant, 

 dwarf gi'owing ; leaves light green ; producing flowers two 

 inches in diameter, light green, marked with brown. Native 

 of Para. 



B. grandifiora. — This extremely curious and very pretty 

 Orchid was introduced some years ago, but is not often to be 

 met with. It is a native of New Grenada, but not of the 

 coolest parts of that countiy. It has ovate pseudobulbs 

 some three or four inches long, bearing two large broad 

 leathery leaves. The flower spike comes up with the young 

 growth, bearing three or four flowers of curious structure : 

 the sepals and petals are olive green, striped with reddish 

 brown ; the lip is white, with reddish purple streaks, orange 

 or yellow towards the base. 



Bletia. 

 These are terrestrial Orchids. There are several species of 

 this genus, but there are only a few that are worth growing. 

 All are of easy culture, and may be gi'own in the Mexican 

 house. The flowers are produced very freely when they are 

 thoroughly established, and are very valuable for cutting for 

 bouquets, on accouht of their pleasing colour, and the long 

 time they last in water. The pseudobulbs are round and 

 flattened, from which proceed long narrow deciduous leaves. 

 The best material for growing them in, is a mixture of loam and 

 leaf mould, with about two inches of drainage in the bottom 

 of the pot, covered with a layer of moss or rough peat ; the 

 pots should be filled with the mould to within an inch of the 

 top, the bulbs placed on the top of the mould, and just 

 covered over. They require a good supply of water in the 

 growing season, but not much heat. After their growth is 

 finished, give them a good season of rest ; and keep them 

 rather dry till they begin to grow. 



