AND THEIR JIANAGEMENT. 401 



Oncidium. 



lateral lobes also white ; crest composed of se\-cral parallel ridges. 

 The colours vary in different plants. This species blossoms at 

 various times, and lasts for several weeks in beauty. It requires 

 cool-house treatment, and, being a strong grower, thrives best 

 when planted in a pot in a mixture of peat and sphagnum. 

 Mexico, 1S35. 



O. macranthum {LiiiJl.). — This species ranks with the very 

 best of garden Orchids. It is a robust grower, thrives in a cool 

 house, and produces long spikes of very large, ornamental, and 

 remarkably-formed flowers in spring. Its only fault is its 

 somewhat shy-flowering nature. The pseudo-bulbs are ovate, 

 laterally compressed, 3in. to 4.in. long, furrowed and wrinkled 

 when old, two-leaved. Lea\-es leathery, strap-shaped, about ift. 

 long, 2in. broad, acute-pointed. Flower-spike from 6ft. to 

 12ft. long, twining, strong spikes bearing as many as seventy 

 flowers, each of which is 4in. across ; sepals narrow at the 

 base, then becoming broadly ovate, crisp, and wavy, lin. broad, 

 and i^in. in length, coloured bright yellowish-brown ; petals 

 similar in shape, but broader, and coloured rich golden-yellow ; 

 lip small, triangular, leathery, purple, with a white crest, 

 which consists of a prominent keel with two acute teeth 

 on either side. This species likes plenty of moisture at 

 all times. It should be planted in a pot, the compost being as 

 for OdontoglosstDii crispuin. Tropical America, 1867. (Fig. 136; 

 B. M., t. 5743.) 



O. Marshallianum [RcJih. /.). — When not in flower this 

 superb plant bears a close resemblance to O. crispuin — so 

 close, indeed, that the latter is sometimes imported and sold 

 for the former. The resemblance does not, however, extend to 

 the flowers. Pseudo-bulbs oblong, from 2in. to 3in. long, 

 compressed, furrowed when old, two-leaved. Leaves strap- 

 shaped, 6in. to Sin. long, about 2in. broad, bright green, 

 leathery. Flower-spikes stout, ift. to 2ft. long, branched; 

 flowers numerous, 2-i-in. across ; sepals ovate and conca\e, 

 Jjin. long, yellow, with purplish bands; petals lin. long, fiddle- 

 shaped, wavy, two-lobed, and coloured deep golden-yellow, with 

 large blotches of chocolate-brown along the middle ; lip spread- 

 ing, nearly 2in. across, irregularly notched, suddenly contracted 

 towards the base, where there are two ear-like lobes ; colour 

 bright yellow, with spots of orange-red about the base; crest 

 formed of fleshy tubercles. No Oncidium is more effective than 

 this when it is well managed, the flowers lasting a long while, 

 and being very bright in colour. It should be grown on teak 

 blocks or in baskets, in a mixture of peat-fibre and sphagnum, and 



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