ORCHIDS. 59 



and L. purpurata, and their splendid varieties. They are 

 natives of the warmer parts of America, from Mexico to Brazil, 

 and require the same treatment as the Cattleya, to which 

 genus they are closely allied. They thrive best in rough 

 fibry peat and sphagnum, mixed with crocks and bits of char- 

 coal, filling the pot about half full of drainage, and keeping 

 the plant high above the rim. They require abundance of 

 water with a little liquid manure during the growing period, 

 and a fair supply of water at all times. 



LYCASTE. 



>Some of the species and varieties of this genus are of great 

 value, not only to the exhibitor, but also from a commercial 

 point of view. They have flowers of much beauty and sub- 

 stance, and the only point against them is that they do not 

 produce so many blooms, nor show them so well, as many 

 others of less importance. Among the best are L. Candida, 

 L. gigantea, and L. SMnneri. They are easily cultivated, pro- 

 vided due attention is paid to watering, which should not 

 be altogether withheld when resting ; but a copious supply 

 must be given during the time of growth. They thrive best 

 in peat with a few pieces of old fern roots chopped down and 

 mixed with it. The Mexican house suits them well. 



MASDEVALLIA. 



An extensive, interesting, and useful genus of orchids from 

 the high mountainous regions of Central America, extending 

 from Mexico to Peru. There are numerous species and 

 varieties, some of which have large, richly coloured flowers, 

 rendering them most valuable as exhibition specimens, while 

 others have curiously marked and grotesquely shaped flowers, 

 of great interest to the botanist and to the collector of rare 

 and curious plants. Those with the largest flowers and 

 bright showy colours are the best for exhibition, such as 

 M. Harryana, M. ignea, M. Lindeni, M. Schlimii, M. tova- 

 remis, and M. Veitchiana, with their varieties. Under good 

 management the plants will flower twice, and some of them 



