SACCOLABIUMS. 141 



of trees. They produce their long, graceful racemes of 

 flowers, which are often a foot and a half long, from the axils 

 of the leaves. They are propagated in the same way as 

 the Aerides, and are infested by the same sorts of insects. The 

 following list comprises the best among this beautiful class 

 of plants. There are several others ; some of which are not 

 worth growing. I have only named those that are the most 

 beautiful, and which ought to be in every collection, how- 

 ever small : they are even handsome without flowers. 



Saccolabium ampullaceum. A distinct compact habited and 

 pretty Orchid from India, with leaves about three or four inches 

 hi length ; grows about ten inches high ; producing spikes 

 of flower about six inches long, in May and June, of a beau- 

 tiful violet colour. Will succeed on a block, and remains in 

 beauty three weeks. 



S. BlumeL A beautiful distinct species from Java. It pro- 

 duces its flowers in July and August, which are violet and 

 white in colour, and last three weeks in perfection. 



S. Blumei majus. A charming Orchid from Java. The 

 colours of the flowers are the same as Blumei, the difference 

 between the two consisting in the majus having much larger 

 flowers and finer spikes. The growth of the plant is also 

 much stronger than Blumei. 



S. curvifolium. A handsome, compact habited dwarf- 

 growing species, also from India ; height six inches to a foot ; 

 foliage light coloured ; a free flowering kind with orange 

 scarlet blossoms. Will thrive well on a block suspended from 

 the roof ; blooms in May and June, and till within this last 

 twelve months, very rare, but now more plentiful. 



S. furcatum. A distinct and fine species from India ; 

 grows somewhat slowly, and has short leaves about eight 

 inches long; the flowers of this are further apart on the 

 spike than in guttatum ; colour white, spotted with rose ; 

 in bloom during July and August, and continues in perfec- 

 tion three weeks. 



