204 orchid-grower's manual. 



require. They have hitherto been grown in too much heat 

 by the majority of Orchid cultivators, but I find them grow 

 best in the cool-house, with OdontocjlossumSy and under the 

 same treatment. They should be potted in peat and sphagnum 

 moss, with good drainage, and always kept moist at the roots, 

 though never allowed to get soddened by bad soil and deficient 

 drainage, which is too often the case with these rare little 

 plants. Mr. Pilcher, gardener to S. Rucker, Esq., grows 

 these plants to great perfection, and blooms them beautifully 

 every year in a cool-house. 



M. coccinea. — This little gem has often been sent to this 

 country, but either they have been dead on arrival, or have 

 soon died through being subjected to great heat, and other 

 bad treatment. We have, however, now learnt a good method 

 of growing them. Dr. Lindley says, in describing it : — " This 

 is a most charming thing, with flowers as red as a soldier's 

 coat. Native of Pamplona, in New Grrenada." 



M. viaculata. — A charming and very remarkable plant. It 

 is similar in habit to the other species, producing yellowish 

 flowers, with rose and purple spots ; the sepals and petals 

 are very much lengthened out, and measure four inches from 

 tip to tip. Well deserving a place wherever there are any 

 cool Orchids grown, but it cannot live in heat. Native of 

 Columbia. 



M. tovarensis. — This is a very distinct species, and easy of 

 culture. It lasts a long time in bloom, and thus makes up, 

 with its modest beauty, for any deficiency that may be felt 

 when compared with larger and more attractive flowers. The 

 present plant is a native of Columbia, being found at an 

 altitude of several thousand feet : it produces its pure white 

 flowers in pairs, which, as before remarked, remain a long 

 time in perfection. 



M. Veitchiana. — The most beautiful species of this genus 



