AERIDES. 31 
Var. superbum is stronger and larger than the type, and 
the flowers are better coloured. 
These two kinds are not easily kept in health after they 
have been in cultivation a year or two. They should be 
grown in an intermediate temperature, and kept on the dry 
side during winter. 
A. crassifolium. — This is one of the best and most 
popular of the Aérides. It is a free grower, with stout, 
erect stems, bearing thick, leathery, deep green leaves, 
about 8in. long, and drooping spikes of large, rose-purple 
flowers, the lip being almost purple. The sepals are oval, 
the petals recurved, and the lip is divided into three blunt 
lobes, the front one being large, tongue-shaped, and 
projecting forward. The flowers, which are deliciously 
fragrant, are produced in May and June, lasting several 
weeks if the plant is placed in a cool greenhouse when 
in bloom. It thrives if treated as recommended for Aérides 
generally. Native of Burmah, where it is very abundant, 
large quantities being imported annually into England. 
Paxton’s Flower Garden (new ed.), t. 1. 
A. crispum.—This is a tall, robust plant, with an erect 
habit, producing an abundance of charming flowers. The 
deep green leaves are flat and broad, two-lobed, and about 
Sin. long; the stem is generally purple in colour. The 
racemes are more than double the length of the leaves, and 
the flowers are nearly 2in. in diameter; they are white, 
suffused with purplish rose, and very fragrant; the sepals 
and petals are ovate, and the lip is three-lobed, the middle 
lobe being very large, toothed at the base, and fringed at 
the margin; the horn-like spur is slightly incurved. This 
beautiful species blooms during May and June, and lasts 
a long time in full beauty if placed in a cool house whilst 
in flower. It was introduced from Bombay, and first 
