5 ONCIDItTM. 



inscutphmi, SchUmii, volvox* Experience has long since amply demonstrated 

 that amjjliatum requires the highest temperature available in orchid 

 culture, while cheuophorum, incurvum, inscidjJtmn, leucochilum, macranthum, 

 ornWiorhynchum, serratum and tigrinum thrive under the same treat- 

 ment as the cool Odontoglots ; auriferum, Batemariianum, divaricatum, 

 jlexuosum, excavatum, hastatum, longipes, pliyniatochilum, ^^wZuwa^w???, 

 spJiacelatum, tridliferum, and Wentworthianum should be grown in an 

 intermediate temperature with abundance of moisture during their 

 growing season ; all of which is conformable to what is known of 

 these plants in their native home. With respect to the cultural 

 treatment of the other Oncids described in the following synopsis, it 

 is unfortunately necessary to speak with much reserve. Unquestionably 

 the climatic conditions under which they grow in their native countries 

 and the circumstances of their environment in siUi Avhen they can be 

 ascertained, afford excellent indications of the treatment they should 

 receive when transferred to the glass-houses of Europe, but such 

 information has been forthcoming to only a very limited extent. As 

 stated under the geographical distribution of the genus, the sub-section 

 Sarcoptera, distinguished by large fleshy leaves and the absence of 

 pseudo-bulbs, including hicallosum, cartliaginense, Cavendishianum, 

 hcematochilum, Lanceanum, and luridam, are always found in the 

 hottest and dampest places and generally in shade ; these circumstances 

 suggest a cultural treatment accordingly. On the other hand, the 

 varieties of cucullatum that occur on the Andes of Ecuador, not far 

 from the line of perpetual snow, live under conditions that cannot be 

 approximately imitated artificially, but yet we have in our houses 

 Masdevallias thriving satisfactorily that are found nearly under the same 

 conditions which also should be suggestive, f Gebolleta, at least at 

 its southern limit, and Jonesianum occur where there is a decided 

 alternation of wet and dry seasons, the latter being from three to 

 four months and even of longer duration, during which the plants 

 are scorched by the direct rays of tropical sun. As to the Brazilian 

 species from the neighbourhood of Rio, which live under nearly the 

 same conditions as the Cattleyas and Lselias from the same region and 

 which have proved to be so easy of cultivation, it is certainly 

 paradoxical that these Oncids should refuse to thrive ; two circumstances 

 should at least be noticed — their inflorescence, at least in the greater 

 number of them, is out of all proportion to the size of the plants, 

 and their flower scapes are produced within a short time after 

 importation and often before the plants can become established in their 

 new home ; it has thence been urged that cultivators should forego 



This enumeration is not assumed to be a complete one of the Oncids that can be 

 satisfactorily cultivated in the glass-houses of Great Britain. The experience of other growers 

 may enable them to add others that are here omitted. 



t See Masdevallia, p. 20. 



