VAUILLA. 279 



V. tricolor, for it makes a handsome specimen ; sepals and 

 petals light yellow, spotted with crimson ; lip pale lilac. 

 It blooms at different times of the year, but generally in 

 spring and autumn, and continues in bloom for six weeks. 

 Native of Java. 



V. tricolor siiperba. — A charming Orchid from Java, and a 

 fine variety of the preceding, often called RolUsson's V. suavis. 

 Of this there are many varieties, the best of which is nearly 

 equal to V. suavis (Veitch's). 



V. tricolor Uusselliana. — This beautiful variety is very 

 distinct both in habit of plant and flower. It has a peculiar 

 and gracefully pendulous style of growth, and is, at the same 

 time, very robust. The spikes are long, and the flowers very 

 bright in colour. It bloomed with Mr. Sorley, gardener to 

 J. Russell, Esq., of Falkirk, and is an extremely fine variety. 



Vanilla. 



This genus contains a few species only. They are aU climb- 

 ing plants, with dark green terete stems, and oblong fleshy 

 leaves, while the flowers of most of the known species are 

 dull-coloured and uninteresting. Vanilla is, perhaps, the only 

 genus of Orchidaceous plants which is of commercial value. 

 The fruits of various species of this family produce the Vanilla 

 80 extensively used for flavouring chocolate, Uqueurs, ices, &c., 

 and which is considered one of the finest of aromatic per- 

 fumes. These plants require strong heat during their grow- 

 ing season, and should be potted in peat and sphagnum moss, 

 and have either some rough logs of wood to grow upon, or 

 should be trained upon a wall. 



V. Phalanopsis. — This is an exceedingly interesting plant, 

 and one which is quite an exception to the rest of the known 

 species, as it produces very showy flowers. These flowers are 

 large and produced in bunches ; sepals and petals white, 



