PLEIONE. 251 



except in habit. Every year, after finishing their growth, the 

 leaves begin to die away, and this is the proper time to rest 

 them, when they should have only just enough water to keep 

 them from shrivelling. The flowers are produced during the 

 winter and spring months, after a period of rest, and imme- 

 diately precede the young growths, so that whenever the 

 flowers are seen to be pushing up from the base of the 

 pseudobulbs water should be given in moderate quantities. 

 They are frequently called Indian Crocuses, throwing up their 

 flowers as they do in spring, much like our common crocus, 

 difiering, however, considerably in shape, but like them very 

 handsome and rich in colour. The Pleiones are far too little 

 cared for by Orchid growers, many objecting to them on 

 account of the leaves being absent at the time of flowering ; 

 but this is easily remedied by grouping them with Ferns, or 

 other gi-aceful green-leaved plants. They give little trouble 

 if properly managed, but their wants must be supplied at the 

 right time, which is the great secret in the treatment of 

 most deciduous plants. Through being deciduous, they get 

 neglected, and just at the time when they should receive 

 most attention, and their beauties should be seen, they are 

 found shrivelled and dead. They require a good season of 

 growth, and after that, one of rest. The way in which I 

 treat them, is to pot them in a mixture of loam, peat, moss, 

 and sand, giving them good drainage and plenty of water 

 while growing; this operation — the potting — should be per- 

 formed immediately the flowers fade. After the pseudobulbs 

 are fully formed, give just enough water to keep them from 

 shrivelling ; but, as before stated, when they begin to show 

 flower, water freely, which will induce their blossoms to come 

 finer. The CattUija house is the most suitable place for them. 

 P. humilis. — A splendid dwarf-growing species from India, 

 with dark green ovate pseudobulbs, in the way of those of 



