158 



CASSELL'S POPULAR GAEDENING. 



time as the young growths. Scape erect, longer than 

 the 'pseudo-bulbs, one-flowered. The flowers are xery 

 large ; sepals and petals greenish-hrown, tinged 

 with yellow ; lip three-lobed ; the front lobe deep 

 velvety crimson-maroon, bordered with orange- 

 yellow, and very prettily fringed with dark hairs. 

 Spring and early summer. Central America, at con- 

 siderable elevations. 



Z. Harrisonice. — A somewhat neglected but fine 

 species. Pseudo-bulbs pale green, with a narrow 

 band of black at the apex, bearing a single, very deep 

 green, leathery, plaited leaf. Scape one to two- 

 flowered, each flower measuring some three inches 

 across ; sepals and petals large, thick, and waxy, pure 

 white ; lip rich purplish-lilac. In the variety cltrlita 

 the sepals and petals are pale yellow, and the lip lilac 

 and white. Spring and summer, lasting many weeks. 

 Brazil. 



L. Skinnerii. — This is by far the grandest member 

 of the family. In general habit it resembles the 

 other species, but the flowers are more gorgeous ; but 

 the varieties are so numerous that it is somewhat 

 difficult to describe the colours. The flowers are 

 usually some six inches across, broad, thick, and 

 waxy. The sepals are large and spreading, pure 

 waxy-white, sometimes more or less tinged with 

 flesh or rose-colour. The petals are smaller, stand- 

 ing forward, and form a large hood over the column. 

 These are sometimes pale rose, or deep rose, or crim- 

 son. Lip deep rose, or crimson. "Winter and spring. 

 Guatemala. 



L. Skinnerii, var. albn, sometimes called Lycaste 

 virginaiis. — This is a rare and beautiful form of the 

 species. The sepals and petals are of the' purest 

 waxy- white. Lip also white, with a faint stain of 

 pale yellow at the base. AVinter and spring- 

 months. Guatemala. 



Masdevallia. — A genus of dwarf epiphytes, 

 which, in the early days of Orchid-culture, were 

 somewhat despised, and were said to be remarkable 

 for the singularity of their flowers more than for 

 their beauty. Since then, however, the mountain 

 regions of Xew Grenada and Peru have been more 

 thoroughly explored, and the numerous species sent 

 home prove that this idea was erroneous, and that 

 many species, in addition to their wonderfully gro- 

 tesque forms, produce flowers with brilliant colours. 

 This, added to the fact of theii' requii'ing the very 

 coolest treatment, and their blooms remaining a very 

 long time in jjerfection, has led to their becoming 

 general favourites with cultivators. 



For a long time after the discovery of these bril- 

 liant species, heavy expenses were incurred in the 

 attempts to introduce them to cultivation, and great 

 disajppointment and regret were felt in the horticul- 



tural world at the want of success attending the 

 expenditure of, in some instances, both life and 

 money upon the collecting of them. Masdevallias 

 have no thickened pseudo-bulbs to assist in support- 

 ing vitality in the dormant stage, and as the transit 

 occupied a considerable time, they usually arrived 

 in this country in a dead or dying state ; and even 

 when a few did arrive alive, they were treated in 

 such an uncongenial manner that they literally 

 melted away. Happily we now live in better times, 

 transit is rapid, and the fact of their being mountain 

 plants fully recognised, so that we have succeeded in 

 estabhshing most of the kinds sent home. 



As a genus, Masdevallia is ' characterised by its 

 sepals, which are joined at the base, and thus form- 

 ing a tube, while the apices are often dra^wTi out 

 into long tail-like points ; the petals are concealed 

 in the tube, and (unlike the majority of Orchids) 

 these are very small ; lip small, and jointed with the 

 column, which is round above, and semi-circular on 

 the under side. 



]Masdevallias, as before remarked, are mountain 

 plants, being found at elevations of from 8,000 to 

 10,000 feet, and, therefore, they require cool treat- 

 ment ; indeed, they will not long survi^-e if placed 

 in a high temperature. To be successful in their 

 cultivation, the greatest attention must be paid to 

 drainage, for these plants enjoy a copious supply of 

 water ; but nothing stagnant must upon any account 

 be allowed to touch their roots, and they must never 

 be deprived of moisture, as they cannot suffer diy- 

 ing off. For compost, use rough peat and living- 

 sphagnum moss, in about equal parts, and a little 

 sharp sand. These plants are always gro^^nng, and 

 consequently flower several times in the year, and 

 their brilliant colours form a splendid contrast to the 

 pirre white flowers of Odontoghssum Alexandra:. 

 The most beautiful species of this genus are here 

 described ; but there are many others in cultivation, 

 Avell deserving the attention of cool Orchid gTOwers, 

 of which the following are amongst the most curious 

 and showy : attenuata, BacJchonsiana, Denisonianay 

 eplvppxnm, injluta, ionocharis, macrura, mUitaris, 

 Feristeria, p.sitfaci/ta, Fieichenhachiano, radiosa, rosea^ 

 triaristella, trochilus, respertiUo, TTagneriana, and 

 xanthina. Peruvian House. 



31. amahilis. — A very free-growing plant. Leaves 

 almost sessile, five to six inches high, oblong-ovate, 

 deep green above, paler below. The radical stalks 

 are twice as long as the leaves, erect ; flowers soli- 

 tary, rich orange- carmine in colour. Peru. 



M. bella. — This is an extremely beautiful species ; 

 leaves erect, thick, and coriaceous, oblong-lanceolate, 

 carinate, and deej) green; peduncle one -flowered, 

 pendulous ; flowers large, measuring upwards of six 

 inches from tip to tip of the sepals, which are drawn 



