CHAPTER XXII. 
CIRRMOPETALUM. 
In this genus there are several beautiful little plants, whilst 
all of them are remarkable in the structure of their flowers. 
They are nearly allied to Bulbophyllum, from which they 
are distinguished by having their lateral sepals very much 
lengthened out. It is this singular elongation which gives 
them their distinctive appearance and peculiar charm. 
Between forty and fifty species are known, nearly all of 
them being natives of tropical Asia. They are epiphytes, 
with roundish pseudo-bulbs springing from a_ creeping 
rhizome, and from each of which proceeds a single fleshy 
leaf. The scapes are erect and thin, and grow from the 
sides of the last-ripened pseudo-bulbs; the flowers are all 
arranged in a compact head or umbel on the top of the 
scape. 
Culture.—These plants should be grown in baskets or 
upon blocks of wood or fern-stem, and suspended from the 
roof, where they may receive a goodly share of sun, air, 
and light. They enjoy a liberal supply of water during the 
summer months, and, even during winter, nothing like 
drying-off should be attempted, although, as a matter of 
course, much less water will be required. When the plants 
are flowering, carefully avoid sprinkling the blossoms with 
