34 



CHAPTER III. 



THE GENERA ACROPERA, CIRRH^A, GONGORA. 



These three genera are natives of various parts 

 of Demeraraj Xalapa, and Brazils ; they have a 

 pendant habit in their mode of flowering, pro- 

 ducing the flowers on a drooping raceme from the 

 base of their bulbs, not beautiful, yet curious ; 

 some of the species of Gongora perfume the 

 woods for miles in their native country wdth an 

 odour of cinnamon. The most proper mode 

 of cultivating these genera is in square baskets 

 made of w ood or wire ; the latter are the best 

 where neatness is preferred, but they will require 

 painting before being used, to keep them from 

 rusting; nothing being more injurious, in my be- 

 lief, than the oxide of iron to their roots, or even 

 the drip from it on their leaves. These little 

 matters are often neglected by many small culti- 

 vators, and indeed by many experienced ones, 

 yet they have their importance. The depth of 

 the baskets should be about six inches, and the 

 size according to that of the plant ; the usual 

 time for removing them is as soon as they are 

 observed to make fresh roots, from the young 

 shoots which they are producing; the basket 



