throughout the coastal areas from about Sydney south, though it has also been oc- 
casionally reported north of that City. It is a dwarf growing plant with what are 
called obicular-cordate leaves—that is they are roundly heart-shaped, the stems 
being 2 to 3 inches high and the flowers solitary. The dorsal sepal is greatly in- 
curved to form a quaint helmet-like cap, under which the labellum tube is incurved 
and partly concealed. The flower is beautifully fringed, and the hood is veined 
and marked in an attractive manner. The plant springs from small underground 
tubers and care must be taken to avoid any damage to these when transplanting. 
They are best grown in a fairly deep tray in a compost of three parts loam, one 
part each dried dung and leaf-mould and one part sharp sand. Keep in an airy 
position and maintain cool, damp surroundings. In Winter less water is necessary. 
They flower between May and August under natural conditions, and with care a 
good clump will maintain a succession of blooms over a long period. 
There are several other species, but the two mentioned are the best of them. 
CY CN OCHES 
This is another interesting South American genus which is worthy of being added 
to our collection. It is related to the Stanhopeas and its species are easily grown 
(with a little care) and flower freely. A definite resting period is essential, and 
while at rest they should be given cool, dry conditions. They should be potted in 
a compost of fibrous peat, or fibre, with a little sphagnum. The addition of a 
little well dried dung to the compost is a satisfactory variant from the standard 
potting. Perfect drainage is essential, for the slightest suggestion of a sour or 
soggy compost is enough to kill them. The following are the best species. 
CYCNOCHES AUREUM. Native of Honduras, Nicaragua, etc. 
Pseudobulbs thick and fleshy and from 6 inches to a foot in height, with four large, 
plicate, heavily veined leaves which wither and fall off as soon as the bulb has fin- 
ished growing. The flowers are produced on long racemes which droop from the 
axils of the leaves and bear up to 20 (or even more) large flowers, having narrow, 
pointed sepals and petals of a rich, golden yellow colour, dotted with purple. The 
tips of the petals are incurved. The lip is small and grows from a short stalk. It 
has a rounded disk, the edge of which is much divided into a series of pointed seg- 
ments. This plant grows on the lower slopes of the ranges in Honduras and Nic- 
aragua, and in parts of Guatemala at an elevation of from 3000 to 4000 feet. 
During the growing period it will require a minimum temperature of about 56 
degrees, but when growth is completed, somewhat cooler conditions are desirable 
to ensure rest. The rainfall in the natural habitat of the plant is profuse in the 
Summer and Autumn, but the Winters are almost rainless. It is desirable, there- 
fore, that the plant be kept almost dry throughout the resting period. 
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