MASDEVALLlA. 23 



down three or four times a day and watering daily may not be found 

 excessive. 



And similarly with the ventilation and shading. From what is stated 

 above, it will be readily inferred that the efficient nse of both depends 

 chiefly on, and is influenced by the external circumstances of weather ; 

 we prefer, therefore, to advise vigilance and a careful observation of 

 these circumstances as they arise, than to attempt to frame any precise 

 directions, which might possibly, if followed to the letter, partially or 

 entirely defeat their own object. From their alpine character, most 

 Masdevallias are naturally light-loving plants ; the small dwarf species 

 may therefore, with advantage, be always suspended near the roof-glass 

 of the house in which they are cultivated. 



The general cultural treatment here sketched is applicable to the 

 majority of the Masdevallias, but a few exceptions have to be noted: — 

 Masdevallia tovarensis and the species included in the section Sac- 

 coLABiAT^, M. Ohimcera and its allies, occur at a lower elevation than 

 the other species, and where the mean temperature is higher. These 

 plants during the winter months are best stationed either in the coolest 

 part of the Cattleya house or in the intermediate house, Avhere they will 

 receive as much light and air as circumstances admit ; during the summer 

 they may be removed to the cool house. It is a peculiarity of most 

 saccolabiate Masdevallias, that their flower stalks grow downwards, 

 like those of a Stanhopea ; they should therefore be put into 

 shallow baskets made of teak rods placed sufficiently Avide apart to 

 allow the egress of the flower stalks, and which may be easily sus- 

 pended near the roof-glass of the house. No crocks are required for 

 drainage, but peat and sphagnum only to root in, which must be 

 kept constantly moist. These Masdevallias are very Ijable to the attacks 

 of thrip, which can be kept under by washing with a solution of soft- 

 soap. 



Synopsis or Species and Varieties. 

 Masdevallia amabilis. 



Leaves narrowly oblanceoiate, acute, 4 — 6 inches long, leathery. Scapes 

 slender, erect, as long again as the leaves, one-flowered. Flowers about 

 an inch broad across the lateral sepals, brightly coloured ; perianth tube 

 iiarrow, l)ent, orange-yellow longitudinally veined with red ; free portion 

 of upper sepal oval, orange-yellow, sometimes deep rose with five red 

 veins and contracted to a dull red tail 1-| — 2 inches long ; lateral sepals 

 connate to more than half their length, oval-oblong, gradually contracted 

 to slender parallel tails, 1 — 1^^ inches long, orange-yellow densely studded 

 with crimson papillae, and with three crimson-purple veins ; petals and 

 lip oblong, whitish, the former with one, the latter with several red 

 longitudinal streaks. 



Masdevallia amabiUs, Rchb. in Bonpl. II. p. 116 (1854K Id. Walp. Ann. VI, 

 p. 193. lUus. hort. n. .s. t. 196 (var. lineata). 



