ARPOPHYLLUM. 



135 



Culture. — This small genus of very curious and bighly 

 interesting plants requires the same treatment as A'erides and 

 Angrcecuvi. 



A. moscMfera, Blume. — A very peculiar and rare plant, 

 somewhat like a Benanthera in habit. The flowers are large, 

 creamy white, or lemon colour, with purple spots, and very 

 much resemble a spider, from whence comes the generic name ; 

 they are very delicately scented with musk, and continue in 

 perfection a long time. The old spike should not be cut, as 

 it continues to produce flowers from its point for a long time. 

 — Java. 



YlG.— Blume, Eumphia, iv. tt. 196, 199 ; Blume, Bijdr., 365, t. 26. 

 Stn. — Renanthera Arachnites; R. Flos aeris ; Arachnis moschifera; Epi- 

 dendrum Flos aeris. 



ArpophyllUM, Llave et Lexarza. 

 {Tribe Vandese, suhtribe Pleurothallidese,) 



This genus of terrestrial Orchids has erect stout one -leaved 

 stems, the leaf-sheath embracing the stem. The scapes or 

 peduncles are terminal, and bear an erect spike of numerous 

 small prettily-coloured flowers, the parts of which are con- 

 cave and shell-like, with a broad column and eight pollen 

 masses. There are some half-dozen species found in Mexico 

 and Central America, and of these only three, with which 

 we are acquainted, are worth growing. All three are of 

 stately and handsome habit, with bold evergreen foliage, and 

 beautiful upright spikes of flowers, charmingly arranged, 

 looking not unlike rows of small highly-coloured shells 

 clustering round the spike, which is a foot or more in length. 

 A. giganteum makes a fine exhibition plant, and the colour is 

 distinct from that of most Orchids. 



Culture. — The species all require the heat of the Mexican 

 house. They are best grown in pots, in peat with good 

 drainage, as they require a liberal supply of water at the roots 

 when growing, and to be placed as near the light as possible, 



