342 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
which I gave particulars of in my previous articles (vol. I., page 336). Here 
also I noted the lovely early-flowering form of Blumei found in the 
Andamans, which I have seen in flower as early as April, on which account 
it is a very valuable variety. With the exception of the Andaman plant 
all the varieties flower in September and October. 
The country above mentioned, as situated North East of the river 
Irrawaddy, extending to the Arracan Hills on the east and Munipur on the 
north, contains several other good things, which even the intense heat during 
the hot weather does not kill. The cool nights and the dry state of the plants 
at this season may account for this, but when it is considered that in nearly 
all this region the trees are deciduous and are bare of leaves for three 
months, it is wonderful that the Orchids are able to survive the effects of 
the fierce rays ofthe sun. Some of the leaves do get scorched up, but many 
do not. It is true that directly the cold nights cease, the trees at once put 
forth their leaves, so that at the very hottest time of the year, before the 
rains set in, the plants get some protection, but it must be a trying ordeal, 
and shows the severity of climate these plants are capable of enduring. I 
think I may say that it is no uncommon thing during the winter months for 
the thermometer in the neighbourhood of Thayetungo to go down to 45° at 
night, rising during the day to from 100° to 110° F. (shade temperature). 
Saccolabium giganteum, which is very abundant in this district, appears 
neither to feel the cold at nights nor the heat in the day-time, as it 
flourishes in the driest season. This plant is known in Thayetungo as the 
Christmas Orchid, and it is always brought in in quantity in flower for 
Christmas decoration. Ofall the Saccolabium family the fragrance of the 
flowers of this variety is the most agreeable. 
With it are found in abundance, and growing under the same conditions, 
Vanda Bensone, and V. Denisoniana. Here also I found in quantity V. 
parviflora. How did this plant get there? What an adaptability to various 
conditions it must have! I found the same plant growing with V. 
Roxburghii in Southern India; I gathered it in the steamey valleys at the 
bottom of the Materan Hills, Bombay; again down the western coast, 
and in Ceylon, and also in the extra-tropical regions of the Himalayas, in 
the valleys below Chuckrata, where snow often falls in the winter. 
I think one thing is tolerably clear from the above remarks, made on the 
plants growing in the districts described, that given an airy and dry 
situation, any of them will do well and pass through the winter without 
injury. As the rains fall early in the districts mentioned, the first shower 
occuring in March and April, it may be advisable when the weather is 
favourable in the spring to give a little moisture to encourage growth, but 
wet material, liable to chill the roots, should not surround the same during 
the winter, at a time when cold draughts may prevail in the houses. 
Se eee en ee Tee 
