338 ORCHIDS 



Moorea. 

 beiny articulated \\'ith the lower part." The treatment for 

 this plant is similar to that recommended for Houllctia. 



M. irrorata {Rolfe). — Pseudo-bulbs egg-shaped, 3in. long, two- 

 leaved. Leaves broad, plicate, lanceolate, i-jft. to 2ft. long. 

 Scapes nearly 2ft. long, erect, stout, bearing eight flowers each 

 2in. in diameter, with spreading, oblong, pointed segments, 

 coloured red-brown, paler at the base ; lip three-lobed, the side 

 lobes being rounded, the front lobe stalked, trowebshaped, coloured 

 straw-yellow, witli dark purple radiating lines ; column long, wing- 

 less, creamy-white. It flowers in December. (B. M., t. 7262.) 



MORMODES. 



A genus of remarkable and interesting plants, some of 

 which also possess great beauty. It belongs to the tribe 

 / 'andciV. The name «'as bestowed by Lindley, and is from 

 nioniio, a goblin ; referring to the strange appearance of the 

 flowers. It is nearly related to Catasctitiii, and differs chiefly 

 in not having horns attached to the column. The plants are 

 deciduous, losing their leaves in the late autunm. The 

 pseudo-bulbs are stem-like, and taper towards the top, the 

 older ones being clothed with the basal portions of the fallen 

 leaves. The leaves are lance-shaped, plaited, about five or 

 six in number, and are strengthened by several longitudinal 

 ribs. The flowers are produced on thick, fleshy scapes 

 originating in the nodes on various parts of the pseudo-bulbs ; 

 they are chiefl)' remarkable for the curiously-twisted column 

 and lip, the latter being much incurved, and contracting at 

 the base into a claw. The species are all epiphytal, and are 

 natives of Central America and Mexico. 



Culture. — Moiuiodes may be grown in pots of peat-fibre 

 and sphagnum, and during summer the)- should occup)' the 

 lightest position in the warm-house. If, as is necessary, the 

 pots arc half-filled with drainage, the roots should receive 

 copious supplies of water when growth has well commenced. 

 Care must be obser\-ed, however, at the earliest stages. At 

 that time, the back pseudo-bulbs furnish an adequate supply 

 of nourishment to the young growths, and a superabundance 

 of moisture is apt to cause clecay.'. At no period must water 

 be allowed to lodge in the centres of the growths. As growth 

 ceases, a cooler and drier treatment is necessary to ripen the 

 bulbs ; the plants may then be placed on a slielf in the 



