AND THEIR MANAGEMENT. 415 



PHAIUS. 



A useful genus of terrestrial Orchids founded b}' Loureiro, 

 the name being derived from /-'/inios, shining, in allusion 

 to the flowers. ]\Iost of the species are easily-grown, 

 free-flowering, and of stately and ornamental habit. 

 They have long, lance-shaped, plaited lea\-es, and erect 

 flower-scapes bearing general!}- large and show)- flowers. 

 The sepals and petals are large and spreading ; the lip 

 is erect, and stands out from the rest of the flower, 

 the base forming a kind of chin or spur, and the sides 

 folding over and inclosing the long and slender column ; 

 the front portion is usually expanded, and has a wa\-\' 

 margin. Thiiiiia is sometimes included under this genus, 

 but the species being quite distinct in habit and in- 

 florescence, \\"e prefer to accord it generic ran]<. P/iaiiis 

 has a wider distribution than most genera of Orchids, 

 occurring abundantly throughout tropical Asia, and also 

 in tropical Africa, Madagascar, and Australia. 



Culture. — The species described, with the exception of the 

 rare P. siinnlans are easy to gro\'\' and flower. The)- 

 flourish in a compost of fibrous loam, leaf-soil, chopped 

 sphagnum, and silver-sand, to ^\-hich may be added, for the 

 potting of well-rooted specimens, a small proportion of 

 dried cow-dung. During the acti\-e season the}- lil<e a 

 ^\'arm, moist atmosphere, and liberal waterings at the 

 root. Occasional ai^plications of manure-water add colour 

 and \"igour to the growth after the pots have become filled 

 with roots. In summer, or the growing season, the inter- 

 mediate-house is suitable ; but in order to ripen the 

 growth, and cause the plants to flower, the}- should be 

 subjected to cooler treatment after the lea\-cs have reached 

 their full size. The}- will then require ver}- little water. 

 P. graiidifolius and P. Wallichii often produce a large 

 number of young growths in spring, and unless required 

 for propagation, these should be thinned out in proportion 

 to the size of the pot. B}- this means, stouter flower- 

 scapes and larger and more numerous flowers are obtained. 

 The hybrids that Mr. Norman Cookson has been so suc- 

 cessful in raising from P. siiiiulans ( Ro/fe) and P. Hnniblotii 

 as one of the parents, are among the most useful and 

 beautiful Orchids that can be desired for decorative 

 purposes. They ma}' be used in either the conscr\'atory 



