298 



MV GARDEN. 



warmth of the cucumber-house ; but O. Harrisii (fig. 626) grows freely 

 in the fernery, and sends up lovely spikes about a foot long. O. luridum 

 (fig. 626 a) and O. ampliatum (fig. 626 b) grow also freely with me. 



There is a curious plant which flowers well with me, but it is not 

 common ; it is called Mantisia s^ltatoria, or Opera Girls (fig. 627). 

 The flower has a fanciful resemblance to a ballet-girl dancing. Its 

 stems die down in winter, and send up their flowers in spring, which 

 last long into the summer. The plant is more curious than beautiful. 



Fig. 6263. — O. ampliatum. i^^^^^V=S^^^ • Fig. 628- — Phajus grandifiora. 



Fig. 627. — Mantisia saltatoria. 



Another terrestrial orchid of great beauty is the Phajus grandifiora 

 (fig. 628). It forms its bulbs in summer, rests during winter, and 

 in early spring sends forth a fine spike of exquisitely coloured and 



Fig. 630a.— C. crispa. 

 Fig. 629. — Cattleya Mossiac. 



formed flowers. It is a lovely species, and requires little attention 

 in its cultivation. 



Central America has yielded to us the Cattleyas, which afford flowers 

 of astonishing size. I have C. labiata, C. Mossia (fig. 629)^ C. Skimieri 



