CHAPTER _ XE 
PMAIUS. 
A USEFUL genus of terrestrial plants, most of which are 
easily grown, free-flowering, and usually of stately and orna- 
mental habit. They have long, lance-shaped, plaited leaves, 
and erect flower-scapes bearing generally large and showy 
flowers. The sepals and petals are large and spreading; 
the lip is erect, and stands out from the rest of the flower, 
the base forming a kind of chin or spur, and the sides 
folding over and inclosing the long and slender column; 
the front portion is usually expanded, and has a wavy 
margin. Thunias are sometimes included under this genus, 
but, being quite distinct in habit and inflorescence, we 
prefer to keep them separate. Phaius has a wider dis- 
tribution than most genera of Orchids, occurring abundantly 
throughout tropical Asia, and also in tropical Africa, 
Madagascar, and Australia. 
Culture.—The following species, with the exception of the 
rare P. tuberculosus, are easy to grow and flower. They 
flourish in a compost of fibrous loam, leaf-soil or chopped 
sphagnum, and silver-sand, to which may be added, for the 
potting of well-rooted specimens, a small proportion of 
dried cow-dung. During the active season they like a 
warm, moist atmosphere, and liberal waterings at the 
root. Occasional applications of manure-water add colour 
