328 ORCHIDS 



Miltonia. 



M. Candida should be planted in a pot or a pan, using a 

 compost of two parts peat-iibre to one part sphagnum, and two- 

 thirds filling the pot with crocks. Press the soil firmly about 

 the roots, and keep it moist, when growth is vigorous. It 

 requires intermediate-house treatment. 



M. Clowesii {LindL). — In habit and form of flower this strong- 

 growing species is similar to AL Candida^ while in pseudo-bulbs and 

 foliage the two species are almost identical. Scape erect, many 

 flowered, each flower nearly 3in. across ; sepals and petals chestnut- 

 brown, with a few yellowish blotches ; lip heart-shaped, slightly 

 constricted in the middle, pointed at the apex, with a conspicuous 

 crest, the colour being vinous-purple in the lower part, and pure 

 white in the rest. This species blossoms in September or October, 

 or even as late as December, the flowers lasting a month or more. 

 It requires similar culture toil/. Candida. Brazil, 1S39. (B. M., 

 t. 4109.) 



M. cuneata {Lindl.). — This robust, free-flowering plant is larger 

 in all its parts than most of the Miltonias, and exceptional also in 

 having dark green foliage. The pseudo-bulbs are clustered, ovate, 

 4in. long, slightly compressed, smooth, sheathed in leaves at the 

 base, and each bearing on the apex a pair of stout, strap-shaped 

 leaves ift. long and iMn. broad. The scape is erect, about ift. 

 long, and bears from four to eight flowers ; these are from 3in. to 

 4in. across ; sepals and petals undulated, narrowed from the 

 middle to an acute, reflexed point, and coloured chocolate-brown, 

 with a few bars of yellowish-green, the tips being wholly of the 

 latter colour; lip liin. long, lin. wide, wavy, cream^'-white, the 

 crest composed of two parallel ridges, which are spotted with rose- 

 purple ; column large, winged, creamy-white. The blossoms 

 expand in February, and remain fresh more than a month. This 

 species thrives best when planted in a pot or a pan, in a compost of 

 peat-fibre and sphagnum, and placed in the intermediate-house. It 

 likes plenty of light and moisture. Brazil, 1843. (B. R., 1S45, t. 8.) 



M. Moreliana (Horf.). — Although usually called a variety of 

 AI. spectabilis, this fine Orchid is sufficiently distinct in colour alone 

 to deserve to rank as a species. It has ovate, much-flattened 

 pseudo-bulbs from zin. to 3in. long, shining apple-green in colour, 

 becoming bright yellow when old, and bearing two short, strap- 

 shaped leaves, rarely more than 6in. long, with several shorter basal 

 ones. The rhizome is stout, and creeps along the surface of the 

 soil : the pseudo-bulbs are developed about if.in. apart. The 

 scape is erect, 6in. long, clothed with sheathing bracts i-J.in. long, 

 and bears a single flower, from 2in. to 4^in. across : sepals and 

 petals lin. to 2in. long, deep vinous-purple ; lip lin. to 2in. long, 



