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ARACHNANTHE CLARKEI Roi/e. 



Caule erecto subcompresso, foliis distichis recurvis lineari-oblongis apice bilobis lobis rotundatis, pedunculo suberecto foliis breviorc robusto 2 — 4-floro 

 basi vaginatis vaginis tubulosis apprcssis, bracteis brevibus, floribus amplis aurantiacis cinnamomeo fasciatis, sepalo postico erecto elongato lineari sursum 

 sensim ampliato obtuso, lateralibus similibus sed falcato seu falcato-decurvis, petalis sepalis lateralibus similibus sed paullo angustioribus, labello pallidiori 

 articulato breviter unguiculato trilobo, lobis lateralibus rotundatis incurvis, intermedio late rotundato apice subtrilobo, disco lamellato 7 — 9-carinato, columna 



ARACHNANTHE LOWH, Rolfe in Gard. Chron., 1888, pt. II., p. 567 ; Bot. Mag, t. 7077; Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind., VI., p. 28 ; Veitch Man. Orch., 

 VII., p. 9. 



Esmeralda Clarkei, Rchb. f. in Gard. Chron., 1886, pt. II, p. 552. 



Vanda Clarkei, N. E. Br. in Kew Bullet, 1888, p. 112. 



This handsome species is a native of the Sikkim Himalaya, where it grows on a thickly-wooded crest or ridge at about 6,ooo feet elevation. It was 

 discovered by Mr. C. B. Clarke, F.R.S, the indefatigable Indian botanist, whose name it bears. It was introduced by Messrs. Hugh Low & Co, of Clapton, in 

 1885 or 1886, and flowered for the first time in this country in the autumn of the latter year, in the collection of the late Mr. John Day, of Tottenham. It also 

 is a native of Bhotan. It is allied to A. Cathcartii, Benth, the old Vanda Cathcartii, Lindl, on which the genus Esmeralda was founded by Reichenbach, 

 which, however, being identical with the older genus Arachnanthc, of Blume, should not be recognised. It is readily distinguished from Vanda by its articu- 

 lated lip, which is common to all the species, but in the present one is so delicately attached that the slightest touch imparts to it an oscillatory motion. 

 It is much more easily cultivated than A. Cathcartii, and requires cooler treatment and more light. Its handsome orange-buff and brown flowers are produced 

 in the autumn, and last about six weeks. 



\nthera. 



This is a strikingly beautiful plant, with brilliant and very uncommon markings, introduced some seven or eight years 

 ago, and which blossomed for the first time in this country in the collection of the late Mr. John Day. It is a native of 

 the Sikkim Himalayas, and was discovered by Mr. C. B. Clarke in 1875, and named by the late Prof. Reichenbach in his 

 honour. 



In its native home it is found growing on stunted trees at an elevation of 6,000 to 8,000 feet, with a temperature 

 in the cold season varying from 40 deg. to 45 deg. Fahr., fully exposed to wind and rain and frequently snow. During 

 the hottest period of summer the thermometer rarely exceeds 75 deg. to 80 deg. Fahr. 



Arachnanthe Clarkei has been generally regarded as shy of flowering. This, we think, is perhaps in consequence 

 of a too stuffy atmosphere being chosen for its cultivation. It is a plant that revels in light and air, with an abundance 

 of humidity at night. After its flowering season, which occurs during the autumn months, it is advisable to rest the 

 plant by withholding water, but on no account allow the leaves to shrivel. It is also a plant of distinctly pendulous 

 habit, and the method generally adopted of growing it upright is directly contrary to its natural inclination. Give 

 light and air and comparatively cool treatment during its period of rest, but remove to a warmer light and airy place for 

 the growing season. We have successfully cultivated this plant with Vanda teres, with the exception of shading from 

 the hottest rays of the sun. 



Our plate was taken from a plant in the collection of the Royal Gardens, Kew. 



