10 I'HAirs. 



SUB-TRIBE BLETIE^. 



Stems usually psevdo-hdbovs at the base; leaves large and folded 

 with prominent longitudinal nerves. Inflorescence [with few exceptions) 

 on separate leafless scapes. 



PHAIUS. 



Lour. Fl. Coch. Ch. II. p. 529 (1790). Benth. et Hook. Gen. Tlaut. III. p. 512 (1883). 

 Pliajus, Lindl. Gen. et Sp. Orch. p. 126 (1831). 



A genus of robust sub -terrestrial orchids, including about twenty 

 species that are spread over tropical Asia, parts of Africa, Mada- 

 gascar, Australia, some of the islands of th" Pacific Ocean, the 

 Malay Archipelago, and extending northwards into China and Japan, 

 occurring generally in low-lying swampy places, but in a few cases 

 at a considerable elevation, often in shade, but sometimes fully 

 exposed to the sun^s rays. Mr. Bentham, following the Dutch 

 botanist Blume, has adopted four sectional divisions of the genus, 

 of which two only include species of horticultural interest, viz., 

 the true Phaii (Genuini) and Thunia. The last named section was 

 raised to generic rank by Reichenbach, on account of the totally 

 different habit of the included species, the different form of the 

 inflorescence, and some structural differences observable in the 

 flowers, notably the fringed lamellae of the lip. As the Thunias 

 require a cultural treatment very different from Phaius, they must 

 necessarily be regarded as horticulturally distinct; we have there- 

 fore followed Eeichenbach in keeping Thimia separate from Phaius. 

 The essentia] characters of Phaius are : — Leaves ample, 4 — 6 in 

 number from a thickened rhizome or pseudo-bulb ; scapes racemose, 

 tall, leafless, many sheathed ; sepals and petals free, similar and sub- 

 equal ; labeHum spurred at the base. Columu wingless, pollinia eight, 

 in two bundles of four each. 

 The name Phaius {(paiog) is the Greek Avord for swarthy, in 

 reference to the prevailing yellow-brown tints of the flowers. 



Cultural Note. — The plants should be re-potted in the spring when 

 commencing their new growth in a compost of fibrous loam, and 

 a small quantity of rough peat and chopped sphagnum. Drainage to 

 about one-half the depth of the pot should be secured by means of 

 broken crocks. Liberal and frequent waterings nnist be given during 

 the season of active growth, and occasionallv a little weak manure 



