party, so that its whereabouts in Brazil is well known, and we have great pleasure 
in publishing it for perhaps the first time. The plant from which our present 
illustration was derived flowered in the Victoria and Paradise Nurseries. 
Oncidium sarcodes is a dwarf-growing and compact plant, having almost terete 
pseudobulbs, which are deep green, as also are the leaves. It is very free in 
flowering, we having frequently had two spikes arise from the same pseudobulb. 
Each spike produces many flowers, which are very gay-coloured, and equally well 
adapted for the public exhibition table as for decorating the Orchid house or the 
stove. The plant remains in full perfection for a month or more after opening 
its blossoms. The sepals and petals are bright golden yellow blotched with bright 
chestnut, the lip being large, and of the same clear golden yellow as the ‘petals, but 
destitute of markings except near the base, where it is dotted with the same 
bright chestnut as the other parts of the flower. This plant having come to us 
with many cool-house species, we were induced to try it with cool treatment also 
placing it at the warm end of the Odontoglossum house, where it succeeds, 
admirably. We would therefore advise our readers to grow this species cool, when it 
will bloom more freely—indeed, we have observed that plants grown in a high 
temperature invariably throw up weak spikes, and the flowers lose much of their 
substance. Many persons advocate the block system of culture for this species, and 
although we are quite willing to admit that it will grow if placed under these 
conditions, yet, at the same time, we do not think they are the best we can 
provide for its welfare; we therefore advise pot culture, but we do not imply 
pots of very large dimensions, because the plant is not a very free rooter. The 
pots should be well drained, using for soil good brown peat-fibre, from which all 
the fine soil has been shaken, mixed with some chopped sphagnum moss. The 
plant should be slightly elevated above the pot’s rim, and during the growing 
season a liberal supply of water must be given, keeping it in a moist atmosphere. 
In the winter a less quantity is necessary, but do not by any means dry it 
entirely, for at this season the flower-spikes begin to show, and continue to 
increase in size until the blooms unfold in April and May. 
