ONCIDIUM. 365 
grown in a hot, moist stove, where they must remain all 
the year. A considerable number of others require the 
temperature of the intermediate house, with moisture at 
all times. The great bulk of the cultivated species may, 
however, be grown in the cool house, or greenhouse, 
with treatment similar to that recommended for the 
Odontoglossums. The largest and most robust-growing 
species may be planted in well-drained pots or pans, 
in a mixture of peat and sphagnum. For others, pots, 
baskets, rafts, or blocks, are used, according to the 
supposed requirements of the different kinds. It is not, 
however, very material which plan is adopted, provided 
such important conditions as moisture, sweetness, ventila- 
tion, and freedom from insects, are not neglected. It is 
surprising how many Orchids will thrive without the aid 
of any compost whatever, finding nourishment in the 
atmospheric moisture and fresh air about them. 
With few exceptions, the species selected for description 
here are not difficult to cultivate. Their special require- 
ments are dealt with under the descriptions. 
0. ampliatum.—This is a large-bulbed, leathery-leaved 
species, and when in good health it produces a magni- 
ficent inflorescence. The pseudo-bulbs are large, spheroid, 
compressed, bright green, with purple spots when young, 
becoming blackish purple and wrinkled with age. The 
leaves are gin. long, 24in. wide, glossy green, and 
leathery. The flower-spike, which springs from the base 
of the matured pseudo-bulb, is from rft. to 3ft. long, 
branched, and many-flowered. The flowers have small 
sepals and petals; the lip is spreading, reniform, wavy, 
14in. across, narrow at the base, with two small lateral 
lobes, and a prominent, two-lobed crest. The colour of 
the sepals is yellow, with red spots, and there are a few 
