402 ORCHIDS. 
conditions they are found to thrive best in the coolest 
part of the East Indian house, or in the intermediate 
house, in a position shaded from bright sunshine. The 
absence of pseudo-bulbs indicates the necessity of keeping 
them moist during both winter and summer ; indeed, beyond 
a slight reduction in the amount of water required in winter, 
no attempt at resting them should be made, They thrive 
best when fastened on large blocks or rafts of teak, with 
lumps of peat-fibre, sphagnum, and pieces of charcoal about 
the roots; grown in this manner, the compost can be easily 
renewed without disturbing the roots, and can also be 
added to as the plants extend. They may also be grown 
in pots in the same compost, care being taken to give 
abundant drainage. Some cultivators grow these plants 
on flat dishes, with a cone of peat, moss, and charcoal, 
placed loosely about the roots; they are suspended near 
the roof in a moist, warm house, and shaded from 
bright sunshine. 
P. Backhousiana.—An attractive species, with linear, 
dark green, opposite leaves, between which the scapes 
are produced. The tapering sepals and petals have 
a creamy-white ground-colour, the tips being marked with 
purplish violet. The lip is three-lobed and cream-coloured, 
the callus consisting of numerous yellow ridges, with inter- 
vening lines of a brownish colour. The flowers measure 
gin. across, and are developed from June to August. The 
species is a native of Ecuador, and was introduced in 
1877. Syn. Zygopetalum Backhousianum. 
P. cerina.—A charming species, with tufted, oblong, 
pointed leaves, from troin. to 12in. long, and basal flower- 
stems, each of which is about 6in. long, and bears a 
flower about gin. in diameter. The rounded, oblong sepals 
are concave, fleshy, and straw-coloured, the upper one, as 
