AND THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



Maxillaha. 

 worth a place where fine specimens are wanted, as it soon 

 fills a large pan, and is ornamental even when not in flower, 

 whilst when in blossom it has a singular and attractive 

 appearance. Colombia, 1S46. (W. O. A., t. 106.) 



M. nigrescens {Liudl.). — This is a useful, free-flowering 

 species, deserving to be grown on account of the colour of its 

 flowers, which is a deep vinous-red throughout, shaded with 

 dull purple : the blossoms are about 2in. across, and are 

 borne on erect scapes, 4in. long. The pseudo-bulbs are oval, 

 compressed, blackish. The leaves are strap-shaped, acute at the 

 tips, ift. long, i^in. broad. The plant thrives under inter- 

 mediate-house treatment. Colombia, 1849. 



M. picta {Lindl.). — An old, easily-grown species that blossoms 

 so profusely that many scores of flowers may be found on 

 quite a small plant. The pseudo-bulbs are ovate, compressed, 

 one- or two-leaved. The leaves are strap-shaped, acute-pointed, 

 Sin. to i2in. long. The flowers are 2in. across, of a soft 

 creamy-yellow externally, and of a rich deep orange within, 

 streaked and dotted with dull purple and chocolate ; they are 

 produced singly, upon numerous basal scapes, from 3in. to 6in. 

 high. The petals are curiously incurved. The lip is white, 

 spotted with purple, and the column is wholly purple. The 

 plant is a native of the Organ Mountains of Brazil, whence it 

 was introduced in 1S32 ; its blossoms are produced during 

 winter. It should be grown in the intermediate-house. (B. ;\I., 

 t- 3154-) 



M. Sanderiana {Rchb. /.). — Of all Maxillarias this is the 

 most beautiful, and bears some resemblance to a fine variety of 

 Lycaste Skinneri. It has ovate, compressed pseudo-bulbs, and 

 oblong, acute-pointed, bright green leaves, gin. long. The scape 

 is decumbent, one-flowered, each flower measuring 5in. across ; 

 sepals 2in. broad, ovate, spreading, the upper one concave ; petals 

 shorter, semi-erect ; lip three-lobed, the middle lobe concave, 

 forming a cup with the column and side lobes ; the edges are 

 wavy. The flowers are white, the base of the lip and segments 

 being deep crimson, with a few large spots of the same colour 

 scattered over the petals. This species, introduced from Peru in 

 1884, was seen in flower for the first time at the Orchid 

 Conference, held at South Kensington in 1885, and it was 

 certainly the most attractive new Orchid exhibited there. It 

 should be treated as advised for the other species, but thrives 

 best planted in a teak basket. (G., 1887, t. 606.) 



M. venusta {Rchb. /.).— A large-flowered, charming plant, 

 not unlike M. grandiflora, but more robust. The pseudo-bulbs 



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