STA.NHOPEA. 579 



deflexed or drooping scape furnished with several large 

 curiously formed flowers, thick and waxy in texture, in most 

 of the kinds highly coloured, and emitting a very strong per- 

 fume ; unfortunately, they remain but a few days in perfection, 

 which has probably led many Orchid growers to relinquish 

 their culture — a circumstance which is much to be regretted, 

 as they are free-flowering plants, and consequently a succession 

 of blooms keeps them gay for a considerable time. The 

 flowers have free spreading sepals and petals, and a very 

 thick fleshy lip, which is variable and remarkable in structure, 

 the hinder portion, constituting what is called the hypochil, 

 being usually saccate, a middle part, called the mesochil, 

 being often two-horned, and the anterior portion or epichil 

 being more or less movable. Sometimes one or other of these 

 parts is deficient, and rarely they are all blended into a kind 

 of slipper. They all come from Tropical America, some 

 twenty or more species being known. We shall only mention 

 a few of the best sorts, though there are many others well 

 deserving a place in an Orchid collection, especially where 

 room is not an object. 



Culture. — Stanhopeas are of easy culture. They are best 

 grown in baskets with sphagnum moss, and suspended from 

 the roof ; they require a hberal supply of water in the growing 

 season, and plenty of shade. The baskets should be made 

 shallow, and open at the bottom and sides, so that the flower 

 scapes may easily find their way through. After their growth 

 is completed they are the better for a good period of rest, 

 during which they should be kept nearly dry at the roots. 

 They will grow well in either the East Indian or Brazilian 

 house. These plants are subject to the attacks of the red 

 spider and the thrips, to prevent which the leaves should be 

 well syringed whenever the weather is hot and dry with 

 clean tepid water. 



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