226 oechid-gbowee's manual. 



weeks in bloom. This very rare plant is also found in culti- 

 vation under the name of 0. tigriniun. The finest specimen 

 of this which has come under my notice, was in the collec- 

 tion of Dr. Ainsworth, of Lower Broughton, under the care of 

 Mr. Mitchel. It had upwards of fifty flowers on a large 

 branching spike. 



0. Batemanii. — A good distinct kind from Brazil, growing 

 about eighteen inches high, and having pale green foliage ; 

 rather a shy-flowering plant, but one which is worth growing 

 on account of its beautiful bright yeUow flowers, which are 

 produced at different times of the year. 



O. bifolium. — A handsome dwarf-growing species, with 

 ovate dark green pseudobulbs, which are streaked with a 

 few black marks ; the leaves are short, borne in pairs, and 

 like the bulbs, deep green ; sepals and petals brown ; Hp 

 bright yellow, and of large size. It produces short spikes 

 of these flowers in May and June, which last a long time 

 in perfection. There are two varieties of this plant, one 

 much brighter than the other in the colour of the flowers. 

 This is best grown in a pot, suspended from the roof, close to 

 the rafters. It requires to be potted in peat and sphagnum 

 moss ; ample drainage should also be given, as it enjoys a 

 liberal supply of water. Messrs. Loddiges, of Hackney, used 

 to cultivate this plant better than any other grower of Orchids 

 whose collections I -have seen ; they treated it in the way 

 above recommended. Native of Monte Video. 



0. bifolium majus. — This is a superb variety of the pre- 

 ceding ; the pseudobulbs are much larger, and the habit of 

 the plant is altogether more robust. The spike is quite double 

 the length of that of the ordinary form, and bears fully double 

 the number of flowers ; sepals and petals brown, faintly 

 marked vrith yellow ; lip very large, and brilliant yeUow. 

 These are produced in May and June, and continue in per- 



