PHAIUS TUBERCU LOSUS Blume. 
Sepalis oblongis v. oblongo-lanceolatis acutis dorso manifeste carinatis, lateralibus subobliquis, petalis medio paulo latioribus interdum fere rhombeis ; 
labelli trilobi lobis lateralibus rotundatis margine anteriore reflexis leviter undulatis intus pilosis, intermedio minore transverse-oblongo antice emarginato 
margine undulato-crispato, disco labelli basi crinito (crinibus longis strictis), deinde calvo, antice lineis v. tuberculis 3 elevatis flexuosis ante apicem labelli 
desinentibus instructo ; gynostemio gracili incurvo. 
PHAIUS TUBERCULOSUS, Blume in Mus. Lugd. Bat. IL., p. 181, No. 433 ; idem in Orchidées de l’Archipel Indien et Japon., p. 13 ; Williams’ Orchid 
Album, Tome II,, pl. ot. 
LIMODORUM TUBERCULOSUM, Aub. du Petit-Thouard Orch. Madag,, tab. 31 (icon. habitu et statura probanda colore omnino erronea !) 
BLETIA TUBERCULOSA, Spreng. Syst. Nat. III, p. 744. Lindley Gen. et Sp. Orch,, p. 123. 
Bulbi fusiformes y. cylindracei articulati r1o—12 cm. longi, 1, 5—2 cm. diametro, articuli fibrillis foliorum vetustiorum vestiti. Caulis ex axilla quadam 
superiore bulbi preecedentis oriens. Folia 5—7 disticha lineari-v. longe lanceolata acuminata in petiolum caulem amplectentem angustata 25—30 cm. longa, 
5—7 cm. lata, Racemus 7—8-florus ex axilla folii cujusdam inferioris oriens squamis 2—3 dorso carinatis vestitus folia subaquans vel cis paulo brevior. 
Bractez albide cymbiformes oblong acuminate ovariis fere duplo longiores. Flores 5—6 cm. diametro (expansi 9 cm.) sepala petalaque sub anthesi 
ringentes intus et extus lactei, labelli lobi laterales intus pilosi lutei rubro-marmorati toto aspectu fere cuprei; lobus intermedius et discus albi crinibus 
(presertim in basi) callisque aureis et margine maculisque roseis decori. Fr. Krénzlin. 
Icones analytica. Flos sine labello. Sectio labelli columnzeque a latere. Pollinaria duo aucta. Labellum explanatum, Columna antice aucta. 
Tums superb plant is without doubt one of the handsomest kinds yet introduced ; it is also distinct in its habit of growth 
from any other species of the genus in cultivation. It is indigenous to Madagascar, inhabiting dense, shady, almost 
trackless, woods in the interior; its fleshy, fusiform stems, attaching themselves by their roots, traverse the interstices 
formed by the rough bark until they reach the rich moss-covered humus with which the ground abounds. The new 
growths are developed in winter; the leaves are oblong acuminate plicate 12 to 18 inches long; the inflorescences are 
always erect racemose, with from seven to twelve flowers, and are produced with the young growths. The sepals and 
petals are ivory white ; the labellum obliquely funnel-shaped, with yellow lobes, which are thickly studded with crimson 
blotches and spots on a yellow ground. The front lobe is rounded emarginate and wavy, white, with rose-coloured spots 
and pencillings, while a number of raised warty crests in lines ornament the disc; at the base of the labellum there is a 
yellow, feathery crest reminding one of the head crests of some of the small humming birds. This plant has hitherto 
been considered difficult to cultivate, which we believe is due to the fact of its requirements being insufficiently under- 
stood. The plant is naturally at the height of its development at our dullest season of the year—namely, November, 
December, and January—the three months in which it usually makes its growth and blossoms. It should then have a 
temperature of 75 deg. to 80 deg. by day, falling 10 deg. at night, with copious waterings and constant syringings, and 
should be grown in shallow pans, boat-shaped or concave teak rafts. The compost should be light fibrous brown peat 
and sphagnum moss, with plenty of drainage, and the plants placed in a position near the glass, but always shaded from 
direct sunlight. The atmosphere cannot well be too humid if it is not produced by steaming the hot pipes ; no orchids 
can flourish in an atmosphere charged with steam. Yellow thrips are very fond of its succulent stems and leaves, and 
the plants under their ravages soon acquire a brown, burnt look; if, however, fumigating and dipping is carefully 
performed at intervals of about a fortnight, no damage will arise from thrips or any other insects. We have had much 
success with our last importation of these plants, they having produced grand growths and splendid spikes of blossoms 
under the system of culture here recommended. 
Phaius tuberculosus was first sent home by our collector, Mons. Leon Humblot, and the first consignment arrived 
home in November, 1883. Well we remember meeting him and his plants in Marseilles; he was then seriously ill, and 
years elapsed before the second consignment, with the collector, arrived in March, 1887, and we do not believe 
that any one will ever again attempt to search for it, even if he knew the spot it inhabits as well as his own 
home. Fred. Boyle gives a true description of the danger of collecting in the far interior of Madagascar. In a late 
number of “ Longman’s Magazine” he says :—‘‘ Madagascar also will furnish some astounding novelties ; it has already 
