CHAPTER ALV EE 
PERISTERIA. 
A SMALL genus of tropical South American Orchids, of 
which four species have been discovered. They are large 
and handsome in appearance, and are characterised by 
large, fleshy pseudo-bulbs, surmounted by several long, 
plicate, pointed leaves. The flowers are produced on erect 
or drooping scapes, which spring from the base of the 
pseudo-bulbs. They are of fleshy texture, fragrant, and 
nearly spherical. The sepals are concave, and united at 
the base, and the petals resemble them, except that they 
are a little smaller. The lip is continuous with the column, 
and is sagittate at the base, the upper half bent over the 
face of the column, which is short and fleshy. P. elata is 
the finest species, on account of its beauty and its remark- 
able structure, which gives rise both to the generic name 
and to that by which the species are commonly known, 
viz., ‘‘Dove Orchids.” 
Culture.—The successful culture of Peristerias depends 
principally on their having very liberal treatment 
whilst growing, and a well-defined period of rest after- 
wards. When signs of growth appear, the plants should 
be potted in a well-drained compost of fibrous loam, crock- 
dust, and leaf-mould, and placed in a moist, tropical house. 
Water carefully at first, increasing the supply as the new 
