36 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL. 



from the bottom of the basket spikes of yellow flowers, each 

 about a foot in length, which, if kept dry, will last a long 

 time in perfection. It blooms during the summer. 



A. densa. A beautiful and distinct species, also from 

 Mexico, with yellow and crimson flowers, which are produced 

 from the bottom of the basket, and, if kept dry, the flowers 

 will last a long time in perfection. 



A. Humboldti. A strong-growing species from La Guayra. 

 Flowers in the same way as Barkerii, but about a month 

 earlier ; the long spikes of flowers are of a deep chocolate 

 colour, spotted with crimson. It lasts only a short time in 

 perfection. 



In order that the flowers in this class as in all others 

 may be preserved in bloom, care should be taken not to wet 

 them while watering the plants. 



AERIDES. 



Aerides are among the most beautiful of Orchids, many of 

 them uniting every good quality that a plant can possess, 

 rich, evergreen, and regularly-curved foliage, a graceful 

 habit, flowers of peculiar elegance. Even when not in 

 bloom the plants themselves are interesting objects, and 

 give a sort of tropical character to the collections in which 

 they are found. The stem of the plant is straight or slightly 

 bent, with leaves attached on opposite sides, and the plant is 

 nourished by large fleshy roots, shooting out horizontally 

 from the lower part of the stem. The flowers, which are 

 rich and waxy, proceed from the axils of the leaves, and 

 extend in delicate racemes one or two feet in length, while 

 their fragrance is so abundant as to fill the house in which 

 they grow with grateful perfume. 



These plants are of easy culture, and if properly attended 

 to are seldom out of order. They are found in the hottest 

 parts of India and other warm countries, growing on the 

 branches of trees, generally on such as overhang streams of 



