AND THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



CATASETUM. 



i\lthough, with one or two exceptions, the flowers of 

 Catasetum {Rich.) are not beautiful, yet their quaint appear- 

 ance and remarkable structure, together with the power 

 they have of ejecting the pollen-masses when either of 

 the horns attached to the column is touched, render them 

 objects of greater interest to many than even their most 

 showy allies. It is from the position of these two horns 

 that the genus derives its name — from kata, downward, 

 and seta, a bristle. The genus, ■which belongs to the 

 ]^andeie, and is an e.vtensi\'e one, deserves much more 

 attention from Orchid - cultivators than it has hitherto 

 recei\-ed. The pseudo-bulbs are, in most instances, short 

 and stem-like, bearing four or five plaited leaves, with 

 stout, membranous veins. The flowers are borne on erect 

 or drooping racemes, and are usually green, yellow, and 

 brown, with sepals and petals of a firm, leathery texture. 

 Occasionally flowers of different sexes are produced on 

 the same pseudo-bulb. 



Culture. — Catasetums are not difficult to grow, the 

 essential points to be observed being abundance of heat 

 and moisture during active growth, and afterwards a well- 

 marked period of rest. They succeed in either pots or 

 baskets, in a compost of fibry peat, chopped sphag- 

 num, and silver-sand. Water must not be given until 

 growth has fairly commenced, and at all times it must be 

 prevented from lodging in the centres of the growths. 

 Catasetums require a greater amount of light than most 

 Orchids, and are well suited if grown along with tropical 

 Dendrobiums. When the leaves begin to drop off, the 

 plants should be removed to an airy position in an 

 intermediate temperature, only sufficient water being then 

 given to prevent the shrivelling of the pseudo-bulbs 



The enumeration given below is only a selection from 

 the sixty species known ; but it represents the best of 

 those introduced. 



C. Bung-erothii (N. E. Br.). — This species is by far the 

 finest of those introduced. The pseudo-bulbs are Sin. to i2in. 

 high, and taper towards the top ; the leaves are of a greyish 

 tint, and have several prominent parallel nerves or ribs. The 

 flowers are greenish or cream-white at first, finally becoming a 

 beautiful ivory-white ; they measure 2^in. across. The sepals are 



C 2 



