CHAPTER wis: 
PHALANOPSIS. 
FOR magnificence of flowers no genus of tropical Orchids 
surpasses this; indeed, it may be said to comprise some 
of the most beautiful of the whole family. The species are 
mostly natives of the hottest and moistest parts of the Old 
World, their natural range extending from Assam and 
Burmah, through the Islands of the Indian Archipelago, to 
the Moluccas and Philippines. Although the first Phale- 
nopsis was discovered in the Island of Amboyna as early 
as 1750, and figured about the same date, it was not until 
1836 that a living plant was introduced to this country. 
This flowered in 1838, and proved to be P. amabilis. It 
was afterwards sold by Messrs. Rollison for 100 guineas. 
Upwards of fifty named forms of Phalaenopsis are now in 
cultivation, all of which are epiphytes and, with the exception 
of some forms of P. Lowii, evergreen. The leaves usually 
number from four to eight, and are closely arranged in two 
opposite rows. None of the kinds have pseudo-bulbs, but 
the leaves are generally thick and leathery; in several 
species the upper surface is prettily mottled with silvery 
grey, and the under side coloured deep purple. The genus 
is distinguished by the grace with which the flowers are 
displayed; they usually face in one direction, and are 
elegantly supported on slender, frequently branching racemes. 
