MAXILLARIA. 305 
to the Peruvians, who chew the insipid, succulent pseudo- 
bulbs as a preventive against thirst. This circumstance is 
scarcely worthy of notice in a work like this, except in 
connection with an order which contains hardly any useful 
members. 
Culture —From a cultural point of view it may be 
said that few Orchids are easier to grow than the Maxil- 
larias. All the species described here thrive best when 
treated as pot plants, using for them a compost consisting 
of good fibrous peat and chopped sphagnum moss, in 
about equal parts. During the growing season they require 
a liberal supply of water; in the winter, however, less 
water should be given. They may be grown in the same 
house as Odontoglossum crispum, but in winter the tempera- 
ture should not be allowed to fall below 5o0deg. If kept 
in a warm house, the leaves soon become badly spotted— 
a sure indication that the temperature is too high. The 
air about them should be fresh, and the light good, 
although they do not like bright sunshine. 
The species described here are sufficiently ornamental 
to find a place in every collection, however limited the 
space at command. The majority of the kinds blossom 
profusely, large quantities of flowers being produced on 
even moderate-sized plants. 
M. grandiflora. — A handsome-flowered, large-leaved 
plant, deliciously fragrant. It has ovate, compressed pseudo- 
bulbs, which are two-leaved. Leaves from gin. to 12in. 
long, broadly strap-shaped, dark green, recurved. The 
scape is erect, 8in. long, one-flowered. The flowers are 
Ain. across; sepals ovate, acute-pointed, spreading; petals 
shorter; lip three-lobed, pouched, similar to that of M. 
venusta, but without the purple on the front lobe, which is 
yellow and powdered. The plant blossoms in autumn 
x 
