48 ORCHIDS 



Angrcecum. 



the spur is lony and tail-like. Many of the species are 

 very fragrant, and last several weeks in bloom. They 

 blossom freel}' when in health, and, with few exceptions, 

 are happy under cultivation. Nearly all the known kinds 

 are natives of tropical Africa and Madagascar, or the 

 adjacent islands. 



Cultitre. — With the exception of A. eburftc/nn and 

 A. scsqiiipcdale (Fig. 14), all the members of this great 

 genus that are in cultivation are of dwarf habit, and are 

 suitable for cultivating in baskets or shallow pans in which 

 they may be suspended near the roof A. Scottiaiinni 

 should be placed in a basket, and the terete stems wound 

 round a block, stood in the centre, the block having been 

 previously covered with sphagnum. The potting compost 

 required by the other members of the genus consists of a 

 layer of good sphagnum, made moderately firm about 

 the base of the plant, the remaining space having been 

 previously filled in with clean, broken crocks so as to 

 afford ample drainage. Angra;cums, with the exception of 

 A. falcatiiin, require the humid conditions of the sto\-e at 

 all seasons of the year, and must not at any time be 

 allowed to suffer from lack of moisture at the roots. 



The following species are selected as being the most 

 desirable among the extensive genus ; all are in cul- 

 tivation. 



A. articulatum {Rchb. /).— A dwarf species, with ovate 

 leaves 3in. to sin. long, two-lobed at the apex, glossy green. 

 Flower-spikes jointed, pendulous, ift. long, clothed with pure 

 white flowers i-Jsin. in diameter, with short red stalks ; lip 

 oblong, larger than the sepals and petals ; spur straight, 4in. 

 long. It blooms in autumn. Native of ^Ladagascar ; in'troduced 

 in 1870. 



A. bilobum (Lindl.). — Flowers white, sometiaies tinted rose, 

 i^in. in diameter ; spur 2in. long, produced from the sides of 

 the stem just above the two-year-old leaves ; racemes pendulous, 

 6in. or more long, bearing about twelve to fifteen fragrant 

 flowers in winter. Cape Coast, 1S41. 



A. caudatum {Lindl.). — A. handsome plant. Sin. to uin. 

 high, with strap-shaped, recurved leaves, loin. long, and 

 horizontal spikes of flowers, arranged in two regular parallel rows ; 

 sepals and petals brownish ; lip large, pure white, with a long,' 

 projecting point, and a spur gin. long, coloured brown. A prett^y 



