ORCHIDS. 



155 



grandest Orchids in cxiltivation. Its "broad rich 

 g-reen leaves and immense flowers render it a very 

 striking object. This species, lilce most other 

 Orchids, is subject to considerable variation in 

 colour, and also in the size of the labellum ; but 

 all are beautiful. Pseudo-bulbs oblong, slightly com- 

 pressed, thickening upwards, dark green, bearing a 

 single broad-oblong erect leaf, which is coriaceous 

 and rich deep green, the whole growth attaining to 

 a height of from two to three feet. From the ape.x: of 

 the pseudo-bulbs and the base of the leaf, a large 

 green spathe arises on the flowering growths, and from 

 between this the peduncle springs, bearing three to 

 five large flowers, which measure upwards of six 

 inches in diameter ; sepals linear-lanceolate ; petals 

 much broader, -oblong-ovate, and undulate on the 

 margins, all of the purest white; lip upwards of 

 three inches long, side lobes rolled over the column, 

 front lobe large and spreading, rich deep violet, 

 suffused with crimson, becoming slightly paler 

 towards the margin ; basal part of the lip golden- 

 yellow, ornamented with crimson Hnes. In the 

 variety Bnjsiana the sepals and petals are beautiful 

 soft rose, with the same intensely dark lip. The 

 flowers last long in perfection if kept dry. Early 

 summer months. St. Catherine's, Brazil. 



L. superbens. — A grand species, forming pseudo- 

 bulbs twelve to eighteen inches long. These are 

 somewhat oblong in shape, slightly tapering at each 

 end, and bearing upon their summit a pair of 

 broadly-oblong, coriaceous, deep green leaves ; spike 

 terminal, often reaching five feet in length, upon the 

 top of which the raceme is formed, ten to twenty- 

 flowered, each flower measuring some four inches in 

 diameter ; sepals and petals nearly equal, lanceolate- 

 acute, of a uniform rich rose-colour ; lip three-lobed, 

 side lobes erect, scarcely covering the column, deep 

 crimson, middle lobe large oblong and spreading, 

 waved at the edges, rich crimson, the crests on the 

 disc being orange-yellow. November and December. 

 Guatemala. 



Xiseliopsis. — This is a small genus, which has 

 really little to distinguish it from Cattleya ; the chief 

 points are its bearded labellum, and the general 

 membranous texture of its flowers. 



They should be grown upon a block of wood, and 

 suspended from the roof, during the growing season. 

 They enjoy an abundant supply of water ; less must 

 be given during the period of rest, but they require 

 careful handling at this particular season. Bra- 

 zilian House. 



L. domingensis. — A curious dwarf-growing plant, 

 with clustered oblong-obtuse pseudo-bulbs, some 

 three inches high, bearing a pair of short, oblong, 

 coriaceous, deep green leaves. Sfape terminal,^ erect, 



about a foot long, six to eight-flowered. Sepals and 

 petals about equal, soft lilac; lip cucuUate, spreading 

 in front, bright rose, white towards the base, and 

 streaked with yellow, the central veins bearded. 

 Early summer months. St. Domingo. 



Leptotes. — The name comes from leptos, "slen- 

 der," and refers to the slender leaves. It is a small 

 genus of small plants, which are thus defined : 

 " Sepals and petals linear, spreading, and nearly 

 equal ; the lip three-lobed, parallel with the short 

 thick column, around which the lateral lobes are 

 convolute, the six pollen-masses incumbent, the two 

 upper ones pear-shaped, the four lower ones unequal 

 and thinner." These little jilants are very pretty 

 v.'hen grown into large masses ; they succeed best 

 upon blocks of wood or in hanging-baskets, with 

 peat and sphagnum. Water liberally when growing, 

 and never entirely withhold it. Brazilian House. 



L. bicolor. — A small-growing plant, very seldom ex- 

 ceeding six inches in height. The leaves are terete, 

 thick, and dark green; flowers slender and pure 

 white, saving the base of the lip, which is stained 

 with purple. The seed-pods of this plant are used 

 for flavouring iced- cream ; they have the odour of the 

 Tonquin Bean. AVinter months. Organ Moun- 

 tains, Brazil. 



L. serrulata. — There is really very little to dis- 

 tinguish this species from L. bicolor, saving size, 

 and this plant is a much stronger grower, and pro- 

 duces flowers nearly double th^ size of the pre- 

 viously described species, but the colours are the 

 same. Winter months. Organ Mountains, Brazil. 



Xiimatodes. — A small genus established by 

 Blume, who does not explain the meaning of the 

 word. They resemble, and are very nearly allied to, 

 one section of Calanthe, indeed L. rasa is one of the 

 parents of the beautiful hybrid, Cahmthe Veitchii. 

 The present genus owes its separation from the 

 Calanthes to having the labellum free, instead of 

 being joined to the column. Culture the same as 

 for Calanthe vestita, which see. East Indian House. 



L. rosea. — A terrestrial species, with somewhat 

 fusiform pseudo-bulbs, which are curiously con- 

 tracted into a narrow neck near the middle, and 

 which bear on the summit a pair of smooth, plaited, 

 oblong-lanceolate, light green leaves, which are 

 deciduous, usually dying off before the flowers ex- 

 pand. Scape much longer than the leaves and 

 many-flowered ; flowers of a uniform bright rose ; 

 the lip is flat and oblong, the side lobes curved 

 round the short column, deep rose with a small 

 patch of white at the base, spur straight and blunt. 

 Winter months. IMoulmein. 



L. rosea, var. vcstcdis. — The species is very variable 



