296 ORCHIDS 



Lycaste. 



was founded by Linrlley, all the species being" of eas}- 

 culture, and noted fjr their free-flowering (jualities. The 

 name is after L)-caste, the beautiful daughter of I'riam. 

 The species ha\'e sh<M't, thick pseudo-bulbs, \"ar}-ing in 

 different species from ir,in. to 6in. in height. The Iea\-es 

 are two to four in number, plaited, acimiinate, and being 

 of a bright shining green, and firm in texture, the plants, 

 even when not in flower, ha\e a luxuriant appearance. 

 The flower-scapes, which are generally numerous, spring 

 from the base of the pscudo-bulbs, and usually carr)' 

 a single flower ; in \-igorous spjecimens, howex'er, twin- 

 flowered scapes are not uncommon. The flowers are 

 large, and, although somewhat stiff in appearance, the}' 

 are \'ery handsome ; the sepals are erect, the dissimilar 

 petals folding more or less forward o\'er the column ; 

 the lip is three-lobed, the middle lobe being furnished 

 with a trans\'erse flesh)' apijcndage. The flowers remain 

 fresh on the plants for several weeks ; the\' are also 

 useful for cutting. Tliere are upwards of thirt)- sjDCcies 

 in cultivation, all of which are natives of tropical .America 

 and the West Indies. By gro\^'ing the selection enume- 

 rated, Lycastes may be had in flower nine or ten months 

 out of the year. This genus now includes Pal^Iiiiiia. 



Culture. — These plants may be recommended to the 

 beginner in Orchid-culture, because there are none more 

 likel)' to give satisfaction. They require but little heat, 

 and ma}' be successful 1}' grown with the cooler Odonto- 

 glossums. The}' should be planted in well-drained pots or 

 pans ; a compost of fibr}' peat and chopped sphagnum, 

 with a dash of silver-sand, will be found to suit them 

 admirabl}'. Copious supplies of water must be afforded 

 during the period of active growth, and, although the 

 cjuantity should be reduced in winter, in accordance with 

 the decreased amount of sunshine, the plants should at 

 no time be allowed to get dr}- at the root. 



L. aromatica {LiiuU.). — A species chiefly desirable on ac- 

 count of the aromatic odour of its flowers, which are produced 

 in great profusion, and measure 3in. across. The pseudo-bulbs 

 are' about 2in. high, and are compressed, bearing on the apices 

 the broadly lance-shaped, plaited leaves. The one-flowered 

 scape,? are slender, erect, and about 4in. in length. The sepals 

 and petals are of a pretty golden-yellow, with a greenisli tinge 



