RCHIDS. 
44 2 
PHALANOPSIS. — Butterfly Plant. 
Tuts genus, which is of the third tribe, has its name from a 
fancied resemblance of the central part of the flower to a winged 
moth or butterfly. It has but few varieties, chiefly natives of the 
Indian Archipelago. 
“Phalzenopsids are of much interest,’ says Mr. Rand, “ from 
the ease with which their flowers may be artificially fertilized, and 
from the curious phenomena attending the reception of the pol- 
linia (seed-grains), by the stigmatic cavity. Before the pollinia are 
communicated, this cavity gapes widely; in the course of a few 
hours the sides draw together, and eventually the seed-grains or 
mass are held so tightly that they can only be removed by tearing, 
or with a knife.” 
Mr. Henderson adds further, respecting this Indian Butterfly 
Plant: “The flowers are borne from five to fifteen in number on 
a half-pendent spike. They are nearly circular in outline, and a 
fancied resemblance is traced between the blossom and a large 
white moth. In culture, the species require a high temperature 
while growing, with abundant moisture in the form of vapor, keep- 
ing floors and walls wet all the time. After summer growth, the 
temperature for these plants should be moderately reduced.” 
