The Culture of Greenhouse Orchids 



purity and sweetness. The beanty of Ccelogynes 

 is classed in another order. Soiue are white and 

 gold, Ijut among those which have stronger colour- 

 ing every touch seems to show conscious thought 

 and design ; in fact, no arrangement of hues, even 

 among orchids, has such elaboration. Yet the tints 

 employed are amazingly few, to produce such variety 

 of effect. One might think that Nature resolved 

 to show how many and how striking are the com- 

 binations of white and brown, or yellow and brown, 

 that may be used in a single flower. Of all the 

 great family, not more than half a dozen depart 

 from this rule of colouring — but how gloriously it 

 is diversiiied ! And one of the very few exceptions, 

 which have neither white nor yellow nor brown in 

 its tones, is most striking of all. Exquisitely tender 

 green is Coelogijnc pandurata, with hairy stripes jet 

 black. That harmony could not be surpassed. 



We have no concern with these supreme marvels 

 in the cool house, unfortunately, but it does not be- 

 come us to lament. There are beauties in our depart- 

 ment, and they mostly flower in the dull months. 



Coslogynes do best when hung up, no doubt, but 

 the larger species are most conveniently handled 

 in pans, set as close to the glass as is safe. If the 

 Belgian system be not used, they demand peat and 

 moss and ample drainage, for a daily watering is 



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