PLEIONE. 681 



the young growth, so that whenever the flowers are seen to be pushing 

 up from the base of the pseudobulbs, water should be given in moderate 

 quantities. The flowers are solitary, produced on sheathed peduncles, 

 which spring from the root, and they have a fringed lip saccate at the 

 base. These plants are frequently called Indian Crocuses, since they 

 throw up their flowers in autumn and winter, much after the manner of 

 our common Crocus, difiering, however, considerably in shape, but like 

 them very handsome and rich in colour. The few known species are 

 nearly all natives of the Indian Alps. 



Culture. — The Pleiones are far too little cared for by Orchid growers, 

 many objecting to them on account of the leaves being absent at the 

 time of flowering ; but this is easily remedied by grouping them with 

 Ferns, or other graceful green-leaved plants. They give little trouble, 

 if properly managed, but their wants must be supplied at the right time, 

 which is the great secret in the treatment of most deciduous plants. In 

 consequence of their deciduous habit they get neglected, and just at the 

 time when thej- should receive most attention, and their beauties should 

 be seen, they are found in a shrivelled condition. They require a good 

 season of growth, and after that, one of rest. The way in which we 

 treat them is to pot them in a mixture of loam, peat, moss, and sand, 

 giving them good drainage and plenty of water while growing ; the 

 potting should be performed immediately the flowers fade. After the 

 pseudobulbs are fully formed, give only enough water to keep them from 

 shrivelling ; but, as before stated, when they begin to show flower, water 

 freely, which will induce their blossoms to come finer. The Ccdtleya 

 house is the most suitable place for them. 



P. BIRMANICA, Echb.f. — ^A charming dwarf Orchid, allied to P. praecox, hwt 

 according to present experience a later-blooming plant. Its pseudobulbs have 

 the peculiar raised shoulder and depressed conical apex frequent in this genus, 

 and are of a fine bluish-purple marked with numerous white circles, the raised 

 edge being much more prominent than in P. praecox; the leaves are of the usual 

 character, and decay before the flowers are produced ; these latter are of a light 

 purple, the disk bearing three toothed keels, along which on a white ground are 

 several small fine brown oblong or roundish spots or blotches ; the anterior 

 edge of the lip, instead of being fringed, has very short teeth ; it is said to 

 produce usually two-fiowered peduncles. — Barmah. 



Syn. — Coelogyiie hirmanica. 



P. CONCOLOR, Hort. — A very pretty and distinct plant, with the pseudo- 

 bulbs and foliage similar to those of P. praecox. The sepals and petals are of a 



