CALANTHE. 137 



decidaous group is sometimes separated from Calanthe as a distinct 

 genus under the name of Preptantlie. Limatodes is also included as a 

 near ally of C. vestita by Bentham and Hooker. Nearly all the species 

 have striking and attractive flowers, one peculiarity of which is that the 

 claw of the lip is, in most cases, connate with the column. 



The evergreen species are, for the most part, rather large upright- 

 growing plants with plaited leaves, which in some are as much as 

 a foot and a half long and six inches broad. In this group the long 

 erect floral racemes come up betvreen the leaves and are developed along 

 with them. The deciduous species, on the other hand, produce their 

 flowers after the leaves and bulbs are completed. When the blooming 

 period is passed, the pseudobulbs should be allowed to go to rest in a 

 leafless condition until the season for again starting into growth. 



Culture. — The majority of the Galanthes are terrestrial Orchids, and 

 are consequently best grown in pots, with loam, leaf mould, and rotten 

 dmig mixed together. Wlien they are planted, two inches of drainage 

 should be put at the bottom of the pot, then a layer of moss or rough 

 peat ; after which the pot should be filled up with the mould, so as to 

 leave the plant about level with the rim. They succeed best when grown 

 in the Indian house, and require well watering at the roots in their 

 growing season, so that the mould is never allowed to get dry. A little 

 manure water should be given when in vigorous growth once a week, but 

 it must not be used too strong. But little rest is required by the ever- 

 green kinds, and during the resting period only enough water to keep 

 the soil slightlj^ damp will be required. The deciduous species require 

 a thorough resting period, after the pseudobulbs are matured and com- 

 pleted and the flowering season is past, as at this season thej^ lose their 

 roots. Thej- require to be repotted in spring, the best time for which 

 is just as they begin to start into growth. These plants are very much 

 subject to the brown and white scale, which should be diligently sought 

 for and destroyed, as, if they are allowed to accumulate, the plants will 

 not thrive. They are propagated by separating the bulbs. The following 

 are the most beautiful of the species. 



C. BARBERIANA, Bchl. f. — ^A hybrid between C. vestita and G. Turneri, 

 raised by J. T. Barber, Esq., Spondon, Derby. Flowers pure white with yellow 

 eye, in some cases the lip is faintly flushed with purple at its base. — Garden 

 hybrid. 



