276 ORCHIDS. 
Culture-——We recommend these plants to the beginner 
in Orchid-culture, because there are none more likely to 
give satisfaction. They require but little heat, and may 
be successfully grown with the cooler Odontoglossums. 
They should be planted in well-drained pots or pans; a 
compost of fibry peat and chopped sphagnum, with a 
dash of silver-sand, will be found to suit them admirably. 
Copious supplies of water must be afforded during the 
period of active growth, and, although the amount should 
be reduced in winter, in accordance with the lessened 
amount of sunshine, the plants should at no time be allowed 
to get dry at the root. Lycastes are amongst the best 
of Orchids for sitting-room decoration, lasting, as they 
do, longer in perfection, and suffering less in health, than 
almost any others. 
L. aromatica.—This species is chiefly desirable on 
account of the aromatic odour of its flowers, which 
are produced in great profusion, and measure in. 
across. The pseudo-bulbs are about 2in. high, and 
are compressed, bearing on the apices the broadly 
lance-shaped, plaited leaves. The one-flowered scapes 
are slender, erect, and about 4in. in length. The sepals 
and petals are of a pretty golden yellow, with a 
greenish tinge on the outer side. The lip is three- 
lobed, and, by the side lobes curving upwards, is made 
to assume a somewhat cylindrical shape; it is hairy, and 
is marked on the inner side with orange-coloured spots. 
This Orchid flowers in June and July, and lasts in beauty 
over a month. It is a native of Mexico; introduced in 
1828. Syn. Maxillaria aromatica. 
Botanical Register, t. 1871. 
L. Deppei.—This old and well-known species, though 
not much grown, is one of the most useful of its kind, 
