[46] 



Phaius irroratus was one of the first hybrid orchids raised by the late Mr. John Dominy, who succeeded long ago 

 in crossing the evergreen P. grandifolius and the deciduous Calanthe vestita. A later cross between P. grandifolius and 

 Calanthe vestita rubro oculata resulted in the variety P. irroratus purpureus, but very few plants were saved, and so far 

 the results are more scientific than horticultural. Phaius grandifolius has also been crossed with the rosy-flowered 

 Calanthe Veitchii, and it is singular to note that the progeny from all three crosses are intermediate in habit, being not 

 quite evergreen like Phaius, and not quite deciduous like their parent Calanthes. 



P. tuberculosus, from Madagascar, which we had the good fortune of introducing to Europe at a comparatively 

 recent date, is one of the gems of the genus, and was long ago known to botanists. It was first exhibited by Sir Trevor 

 Lawrence, but has flowered with Baron Schroder and elsewhere. 



Of P. Humblotii we need say but little to our readers since it was figured and described in Vol. i, ser. i, t. 17, of 

 this work. It is similar in habit, but differs in colouring from its near ally, P. tuberculosus. The pseudo-bulbs of P. 

 Humblotii are shorter and rounder, and its leaves are larger and more undulate in outline, and its sepals and petals are 

 rosy purple, and not white as in P. tuberculosus. The culture of Phaius (if we except the two last-named species from 

 Madagascar) is as easy as that of any other free-growing and rich-feeding stove plant, but the new kinds require cautious 

 handling and abundant aqueous moisture in the house, and shade from the mid-day sun. 



P. Blumei and its allies grandifolius, Mannii, and Wallichi are specially of easy culture. They thrive well in a 

 compost of leaf-mould and loam, while rotten cow manure may be used with benefit. Plenty of heat and moisture are 

 indispensable during the growing season, but in the resting period a cooler temperature is advantageous, and they should 

 also be kept comparatively dry. 



Our plate was taken from a plant which flowered in our establishment at St. Albans. 



