A XI) THEIR MANAGEMENT. 137 



Cijmbidium. 



chief!)- in tropical Asia, a tew species beiny; found in 

 .Africa and Australia, ]\Iost of them ha\e Flag-like 

 foliage, the growths clustering, and the flower-spikes 

 nearly alwaws erect. Those here described ha\'e large 

 fleshy flowers, the sejials and petals ecjual, the lip three- 

 lobed, the two side lobes erect and half-inclosing the 

 column, the front lobe tongue-shaped, with two elewated 

 ridges. The generic name is derived from kymbe, a boat, 

 and is in reference to the hollow recess in the li}). 



Culture. — Cymbicliums are not difficult to grow when 

 once established ; but the\- are b}- no means eas}' to 

 restore if imported in a bad state. The}" succeed best 

 under pot-culture, and should be placed in good, rough 

 peat, sphagnum, and a little sharp sand. Some growers 

 mix turfy loam w ith the peat, and as a rule the ]jlants thrive 

 in this. The\- must ne\-er be dried, or the loss of many 

 leaves \\\\\ follow, tr) the great disfigurement of the plants ; 

 thev require water at all seasons, but there must be a 

 great difference made in the quantity supplied during the 

 summer and the winter months. A warm, sunn}' corner in 

 the Cattle\-a- or intermediate-house is the best position for 

 them. Wiien not growing the}' should be kept cooler, 

 and at all times supplied with i^lent}' of fresh air, 

 avoiding cold chills. :Man}' of the species have small 

 and inconspicuous flowers, but the following are well 

 worth growing. 



C. cyperifolium ( Tf '<!//.). — Flowers four to seven on .1 

 raceme, distinct, fra,;'mnt ; sepals and petals pale yreen and 

 yellow, streaked with red, acute ; li[) greenish or white, spotted 

 with red, narrow ; scape shorter than the leaves. Feaves rigid, 

 2ft. to 3ft. long, Jjin. broad. Himalaya, 1S95. This species 

 resembles a miniature C. Tracyanum in flower, hut is totally 

 distinct therefrom. 



C. Devonianum (Paxt.).^k-a interesting and pretty species. 

 Sepals and petals li^ht brown, with dull mauve-purple streaks 

 and blotches ; lip white, with numerous dark purple Imes and 

 blotches, the acute, reflexed, anterior part wholly of a fine, dark 

 purple almost rhomboid ; racemes nodding, many-flowered. 

 Feaves lanceolate-oblong, acute, with long channelled petioles. 

 Northern Fidia, 1837. 



C. eburneum (Lhidl.y—K deservedly popular species, in 

 which the leaves are narrow and sword-shaped, arranged in 



a 



