246 oechid-grower's manual. 



appearance. I need hardly add that they should he kept 

 clear of insects, especially thrips, which soon disfigure the 

 foliage. Constant attention and frequent washing of the leaves 

 with a sponge and clean water, or fumigating the house with 

 tohacco smoke, is the way to keep clear of all such pests ; the 

 latter operation, however, should be conducted with great care. 



These plants are difficult to propagate. To this rule, how- 

 ever, P. Luddemanniana is an exception, as it produces young 

 plants upon the flower spikes very freely. Sometimes the 

 other species will also produce young plants on the old 

 flower stems, and these should be left on till well rooted, 

 and then placed on small blocks. 



p. amabilis. — The Queen of Orchids. This magnificent 

 plant, which comes from Manilla, produces its graceful spikes of 

 flowers nearly aU the year round. The flowers are each three 

 inches across, and arranged in a distichous manner along the 

 spike ; sepals and petals pure white ; the lip of the same 

 colour, but beautifully streaked inside with rose pink. The 

 flowers continue in perfection a long time, if they are kept 

 free from damp, but if allowed to get wet they are apt to 

 spot. I saw last year a remarkably handsome and healthy 

 specimen of this plant, with as many as eleven perfect leaves, 

 in the collection of J. H. Femley, Esq., Didsbury, under the 

 care of Mr. Allen. 



P. mnethijstina. — An elegant little plant which, though not 

 so shovry as some of the genus, yet is a nice addition to this 

 beautiful and popular family. The leaves are somewhat 

 oblong, but narrower towards the base, stout, waved at the 

 edges, and dark green ; spike about a foot long, vrith a few 

 short branches ; flowers rather small and lax ; sepals and 

 petals white, spreading ; lip white, tinged with yellow at the 

 base, centre part rich amethyst sufiused with purple, and 

 deeply emarginate in front. Native of the Sunda Isles. 



