SOBKALIA. 263 



of water being necessary at the roots in the growing season. 

 They are propagated by dividing the plants just as they begin 

 to grow. 



iS. Dodgsoni. — This is a very distinct and handsome 

 species. The leaves are terete, some twelve or fifteen inches 

 long, and dark green ; flower spike short, bearing two flowers ; 

 sepals and petals light brown inside, darker at the base, and 

 blotched with light yellow ; lip white, beautifully streaked 

 with light rose and yeUow. It is said to have been introduced 

 from Demerara. 



S. Hadwenii. — ^A pretty Orchid, with foliage a foot long. 

 This plant is very much like 8. Steelii ; the only difierence 

 between the two is, that the flowers of S. Hadwenii are more 

 erect, and the scape is an inch or two higher. The colour of 

 the flowers is nearly alike. A rare plant. Native of Brazil. 



S. Steelii. — A handsome plant, from Guiana. The leaves 

 are terete, pendulous, and dark green, some three or four 

 feet long, and taper to ai fine point ; flowers yellow, spotted 

 with crimson. It produces its blossoms at difierent times of 

 the year, lasting a long time in perfection. Of this plant I 

 saw three varieties growing in the collection of the late 

 T. Brocklehurst, Esq., under the care of M. Pass. 



SOBKALIA. 



This genus contains some very handsome species and 

 varieties. They are all strong, free-growing terrestrial plants, 

 with long slender reed-like stems, bearing dark green plaited 

 leaves, from the summit of which the flowers issue ; as many as 

 six or more are produced from a single stem, but, except in 

 very few instances, one at a time only is developed. The blooms 

 in most of the species are large and brilliantly- coloured ; and, 

 although individuaUy they last but a short time, this is amply 

 compensated for by the quick succession of new flowers— as 



