Brachystelma 



( 136 ) 



Brassavola 



and these strike readily if inserted in sandy soil 

 and placed in a propagating frame with bottom 

 heat. Seeds germinate fairly well if sown in 

 bottom heat in March. Peat, leaf soil, and loam 

 in equal parts, with a sixth of the bulk sand, make 

 an excellent compost. The most important point 

 is the drainage, which, both for pot specimens and 

 for those planted out, must be ample. 



Principal Species : 



latifolium, Ap., crini., so., undulatuic, Mch., vio., 

 cl. sub-cl. (./. melaiio- 



petalum). 



They are propagated by seeds when obtainable. 

 They like plenty of heat and abundant moisture, 

 both at the root and in the atmosphere. Soil, two- 

 thirds loam and one-third decomposed cow manure, 

 with one-sixth coarse sand. 



Principal Species : 

 dulcis, grh., petioles 



woolly. 



BRAINEA. 



Handsome Tree Fern (ord. Filices) requiring a 

 stove temperature. Propagated by spores. Soil, 



filamentosa (sett "\V;tsh- 

 ingtonia filifera). 



BKASSAVOLA (L;ELIA) DIOBYANA. 



Other Species : 



laiiceolatum, 3', sc., yel., melanopetalum (see un- 

 wh. dulatum). 



BRACHYSTELMA. 



Curious and uncommon greenhouse perennials 

 (ord. Asclepiadese), with twining stems. They 

 may be increased by cuttings in brisk bottom 

 heat, and by root division. They like equal parts 

 of loam, peat, and leaf soil, with sand. 



Principal Species: 



Aniottii, 4", br. grn. ovatuin, 1', yel. gru. 



Barberia-, 6", Aug., dull pur. spathulatum, 1', Je., gru. 

 crispum, 6", br. yel. tuberosum, 1J', Je., pur. 



BRAHEA. 



Dwarf Palms (ord. Palrnse) with fan-shaped 

 leaves, and small, green, hermaphrodite flowers. 



JiracJiytjMtka (see Amorplxipliallus). 

 Sract a/nd Jiracteofe (see Glossary). 

 Bralte Fern (nee Pleris ayuilina,). 



equal parts of fibrous peat and loam, with sand, 

 and a few pieces of charcoal. Insignis, the only 

 species, has fronds 2' to 3' long and 1' broad. An 

 easy plant to grow. 



BRAMBLE (see BLACKBERRY). 



BRASENIA. 



A small genus (ord. Nyinphseaceae) rarely grown 

 in this country. It requires the protection of a 

 frame or greenhouse, and must be planted in a tank 

 of water. It may be propagated from offsets, 

 and should be grown in a loamy soil. 



Only Species :- 



Schreberi, 3", Jy., red (syw.Hydropeltis purpurea). 



BRASSAVOLA. 



Description. The Brassavolas (ord. Orchidacea;) 

 are interesting, but not very showy, Orchids, and 

 since the botanists have transferred what were so 

 long known as 13. digbyana (see figure) and ]!. glauca 

 to the genus Lselia they have become even less 



