AXD THEIR MAXAGEMEXr. 129 



Comparettia. 



sphagnum and one part fibrous peat. A humid position 

 at the warm end of the intermediate - house meets 

 their requirements. They require a Hberal supply of 

 water during the growing season, and should never be 

 allowed to remain in a dr)- condition for an\' length 

 of time. 



C. falcata (Pxpp. and Endl.). — Flowers in pendent racemes; 

 sepals and petals deep crimson ; lip the same colour, but thickly 

 veined with a deeper shade. Peru, 1S36. 



C. macroplectron [Rchb. /.). — This is the commonest 

 species in cultivation. Flowers are large, pale rosy-lilac, with 

 the broad acute petals and square blade of the lip speckled with 

 rose-red. Colombia, 1S79. (B. ?\I., t. 6679.) 



C0RYANTHE5. 



Hooker's name for a genus of South American Orchids 

 of the tribe Vaiidcu. The i^owers are of such an ex- 

 traordinary character that a correct idea of their structure 

 and appearance can onl\- be obtained b}- seeing them. 

 The plants themselves are in habit similar to Stanho[)eas, 

 having lance-shaped, plaited lea\'es, upwards of I ft. in 

 length, and pendent racemes of flowers produced from 

 the base of the pseudo-bulbs. The remarkable feature 

 of the flower is the lip, which is helmet-sliaped, and is 

 attached to the rest of the flower iDy a thick, hooded 

 stalk. Near the base of this stalk a sweet, ^\•atery fluid 

 is secreted, which, during the time the flower is in full 

 de\'elopment, drips continuously into the helmet-shaped 

 part. The name Coryanthes is from korys, a helmet, and 

 anthos, a flower, in allusion to the form of the lip. 

 The sepals and petals decay soon after opening, and the 

 lip lasts only three or four days in perfection. 



Culture. — Cor\-anthes require to be grown in baskets, 

 in a compost of sphagnum and peat fibre, and as they 

 need abundant supplies of water when growing, perfect 

 drainage is essential. The plants grow naturally on the 

 outer branches of trees, fully exposed to the sun, and 

 therefore it is advisable, if possible, to place them along 

 with the Dendrobiums and other heat- and light-loving 

 Orchids. After the completion of the growth, the plants 

 should have a drier position, and water should be 



K 



