562 oechid-gbowek's manual. 



racemes, which often measure from one to two feet in length. 

 The flowers are not very large, but are exceedingly effective 

 from the large number collected into the densely packed 

 racemes. They have the sepals and petals much spread out, 

 and the sessile lip spurred or saccate at the base. There are 

 a score or more species described, natives of the Malay Archi- 

 pelago and the hottest parts of India, where they are found 

 growing on the branches of trees. The following selection 

 will be found to comprise the best species of this beautiful 

 genus, of which there are several others in cultivation, some 

 of which are small-flowered, these latter being interesting to 

 connoisseurs. Those we have named ought to be in every 

 collection, however small, as they form very handsome objects 

 even without flowers. 



Culture. — In their habit of growth the species of Saccola- 

 hium are similar to those oiAerides, and they require the same 

 degree of heat and the same general treatment, except that 

 they are best grown in baskets suspended near the roof, so 

 that they may receive all the light possible and not too much 

 shade — only enough to preserve their foliage from being 

 scorched. The more light they receive, the more vigorous 

 and better matured will be their growth, and this will lead to 

 the production of finer floral racemes. They will also thrive 

 in pots placed near the glass, and on blocks ; but grown on 

 this latter plan they require more water. They are propa- 

 gated in the same way as the Aerides, and are liable to 

 become infested by the same sorts of insects. 



S. ampullae eiim, Lindley. — A distinct compact-habited 

 and pretty Orchid, with an erect simple stem eight to ten 

 inches high, clothed with thick distichous ligulate channelled 

 dark green leaves, about three or four inches in length, trun- 

 cate and toothed at the end, and dense erect axillary oblong 

 racemes of flowers about six inches long, of a beautiful deep 

 rose colour, produced in May and June. The sepals and 



