74 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



THE GENUS STANHOPEA. 



This is another most interesting genus, both 

 from the singular construction of tlieir flowers 

 and the manner in which they are produced ; 

 their aromatic fragrance is so varied both in 

 power and tone, that it would be impossible to 

 give a correct idea of that which is produced in 

 the house while a number of them are flowering ; 

 their natural habitat extends over a wide expanse 

 of the woods of South America ; they are of the 

 pseudo-bulbous class, producing their flowers on 

 a pendant raceme from the base of the bulbs after 

 they have completed their growth. 



The mode I pursue in growing them is in bas- 

 kets made of wire, but not exceeding six inches 

 in depth, as that is sufiicient however large the 

 plant may be; the width must be in proportion 

 to the size of the plant ; the width of the wires 

 at the bottom from each other should be one 

 square inch, so that the flower spikes may pro- 

 trude through without injury. They may also be 

 grown on billets of wood, with three upright 



