SOPHRONITIS. a 459 
fibre for the roots to creep through, and to be kept 
moderately moist. They do not require to be dried off 
or to be subjected to extremes of any kind. When making 
new growth, they should be kept constantly moist at the 
roots. The flowering season is from November to March. 
S. cernua.—This species is even more close and compact 
in its habit of growth than the preceding. The pseudo- 
bulbs are din. long, and bear each a single, somewhat 
broadly ovate, dark green leaf, about rin. long. Four to 
eight flowers are produced on a short peduncle; they are 
individually smaller than those of S. grandiflora, and they 
are of a rich, bright scarlet, with a yellow lip. They are 
produced in mid-winter, lasting in full perfection for a 
considerable period. Introduced from Rio Janeiro in 1826. 
Botanical Magazine, t. 3677. 
S. grandiflora.—This is the finest of the three species, 
producing its brilliantly-coloured blossoms during the whole 
of the winter months. The pseudo-bulb is terete, or 
sometimes egg-shaped, lin. or more long. The leaves 
are oblong, 2in. to 3in. long, leathery, deep green, the 
whole plant seldom exceeding jin. or 4in. in height. The 
flowers are produced singly from the apex of the pseudo- 
bulbs, and measure from rin. to 4in. across; they are 
thick in texture, with broad, brilliant scarlet sepals and 
petals; the lip is narrow, folding at the sides, orange- 
yellow, streaked with scarlet. When cut and placed in 
water, the flowers keep. fresh for a week or more; whilst if 
left upon the plants and kept from drip or sprinklings 
from the syringe, they continue in full beauty for many 
weeks. This species was introduced, in 1837, from the 
Organ Mountains of Brazil, where it grows upon trees at 
an elevation where white frost occurs in the mornings. 
Syn. S. militarts. 
