MASDEVALLIA. 287 
posed of three united, triangular sepals, spreading, slightly 
curved, each rin. broad at the base, and forming a shallow 
cup, whence they gradually narrow to thin, straight tails, 
the whole sepal measuring about 6in. in length; the inner 
surface is covered with soft hairs, and is coloured creamy 
yellow, with large spots and blotches of purple-brown. The 
petals are small, and the lip is a pouch with slightly- 
toothed edges, creamy white. The flowers remain fresh 
several weeks. Sometimes a second, and even a third, 
flower is developed from the same scape if it is left on 
the plant. Introduced from New Grenada in 1872. 
Gardeners’ Chronicle, July, 1881, p. 113. 
M. Wadllisiz is similar to this, but has shorter tails. 
Plate. 
M. Nycterina was for a long time known as the true 
M. Chimera. 
The species known as the Chimera group require 
special treatment. They are best cultivated in teak boats 
or baskets, with the bottom open, so that the flower-scapes 
can push through unimpeded. Thus treated, the plants, 
when in blossom, have a still more striking appearance 
than when they are cultivated in pans and the flowers are 
made to grow erect or horizontal. The plants require 
little soil for their roots, 2in. in depth being quite suffi- 
cient. Line the basket or boat with living sphagnum, and 
then add rough fibrous peat, with a few nodules of charcoal 
and a sprinkling of sand. These plants must be kept 
moist at the root all the year round; in summer they 
should be watered almost daily. Suspend them near the 
roof in a cool house, such as suits Odontoglossum crispum, 
taking care that sunlight does not reach them direct, as 
the leaves scorch easily. In winter—that is, from the 
beginning of November till the middle of March—they 
should be placed in a moist house, where the temperature 
