DENDROBIUM. 195 
sometimes in very large, pendent racemes; the sepals and 
petals are usually equal in length, the two lateral sepals 
being joined at the base, and forming a spur or chin; the 
lip is usually large and handsome, and is narrowed to a 
stalk-like base; the column is attached by its middle to 
the ovary, and there are four waxy pollinia. 
The natural distribution of Dendrobium extends over 
an immense area, from the Himalayas, through Burmah, 
to the Malayan regions, Australia, New Zealand, China, 
and Japan. None have been found in Africa or in 
Madagascar. They are most abundant in Burmah and 
Moulmein, and from these two places the majority of 
the most beautiful of cultivated kinds have been obtained. 
As having an important bearing on the cultural requirements 
of Dendrobiums, a few observations on the climate of these 
regions may be worth attention. The wettest months are 
from June to September, at which time the atmosphere is 
almost constantly saturated. As much as 6o0oin. of rain 
has been known to fall in these regions in one year, and 
250in. in a month have been recorded (Hooker). The 
average day temperature at this season is from 8odeg. to 
godeg. in the shade, falling to about 7odeg. at night. 
From October to February little or no rain falls, and the 
atmosphere is, therefore, very dry; the temperature also 
is lower. This is the resting season for vegetation, the 
Dendrobiums, at this time, being dried almost to scorching, 
and shrivelled to half their size. In the Malayan and 
Philippine regions, the climate is almost equal all the 
year round. The air is nearly always saturated, and the 
average temperature in the shade is godeg. by day, 
seldom falling below 75deg. at night. During the wettest 
months there is sunshine for several hours almost every 
day, and in the driest season there are occasional 
showers. From these facts we obtain some data which 
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