476 ORCHIDS 



Stanhopea. 



compost, consistinci' of one part peat-fibre and two parts 

 sphagnum, with a few ])ieces of charcoal. The bottom of 

 the basl^ct must, of course, be open, and a kw long, 

 narrow pieces of charcoal should be laid, about lin. apart, 

 across the bottom. This is sufficient to keep the compost 

 from washing away, ^^'hilst it permits the flower-spikes 

 to come through the bottom of the basket. Some culti- 

 \ators use nothing but sphagnum for Stanhopeas, and 

 gro\\- them well ; but the addition of a little good peat- 

 fibre and charcoal is beneficial, as it keeps the moss fresh 

 and open. During summer, when growth is most acti\'e, 

 these plants require an abundance of moisture both at the 

 root and on the leaves. In hot weather the}- should be 

 well watered dail)'. In winter the}' require less moisture ; 

 in fact, if suspended in a house where the atmosphere is 

 kept moist, the}- do not require an}- attention at that 

 season as regards water. Naturall}- the}- grow upon trees, 

 and we sometimes see newly-imported plants attached to 

 pieces of brandies that the}- ha\-e enveloped with a thick 

 la}'er of roots ; but it is not advisable to attempt to 

 grow Stanhopeas on blocks of wood. Whilst in flower 

 the plants should be placed in a cool or greenhouse 

 temperature. 



The species here described are the best and the easiest 

 to procure. 



S. Amesiana {Hort.). — A synonym of 6'. Lo7vii. 



S. aurea {Lodd:).—K synonym of ,S'. JJ'nn///. 



S. bucephalus (Li/id/.).^One of the best known of all 

 Stanhopeas, and a handsome-flowered, easily-grown plant. It 

 belongs to the same group as .S'. ociilata and S. n^a?-dti, differing 

 IVom them chiefly in the form of the lip. Its pseudo-bulbs are 

 dark green, ridged and wrinkled when old, and the leathery, dark 

 green leaves have petioles yn. long and a blade gin. by 4in. 

 The pendulous s[)ike is about Sin. long, four- to six-flowered. 

 Each flower is 4in. across. The sepals and petals are reflexed, 

 the former broad, the latter wavy, their colour rich tawny-yellow, 

 marked with large cnmson spots. The column is 2in. longi 

 green and white, spotted with purple. The lip has a curved^ 

 boat-shaped cavity, two projecting, curved horns, and a broad! 

 fleshy mid-lobe, the apex of which is claw-like ; the colour is 

 similar to that of the sepals and petals. The fragrance of the 

 flowers is overpowering when in a small house. This species 



