296 



CASSELL'S POPULAR GARDENING. 



with white flowers; and also a variety of this in 

 which the leaves are margined with silver. 



The Vincas are very useful subjects. The smaller 

 forms can be used with great advantage as edging 

 plants, and they are particularly useful for covering 

 rock-work. They do well in a good loam. It is 

 simply necessary to trim the plants, sometimes cut- 

 ting out the decayed wood. The plants are readily 

 increased by division. 



ORCHIDS. 



By William Hugh Gower. 



Maxillaria. — The name is derived from maxill(B, 

 the jaws of an insect, from the fancied resemblance 

 of the column and lip ; at one time it contained a 

 very mixed lot of plants; many of these, however, 

 have been removed to other genera, and only those 

 remain which have the lateral sepals joined to the 

 base of the column, a cucullate labellum, which is 

 jointed to the base of the column, and four pollen- 

 masses, with a short caudicle fixed to a lunate gland. 

 The majority of the species are small-flowered, and 

 the colours in most instances are very sombre, so 

 that now, there being such an immense number 

 of really beautiful Orchids to select from, it is no 

 wonder these inferior kinds find little favour in the 

 eyes of the Orchidologist. The species we here 

 introduce, however, are worthy of space even in the 

 most limited collection. Maxillarias are all very 

 easily managed. Pot in rough peat and a little 

 sphagnum, supply them liberally with water when 

 growing, and never entirely withhold it even when 

 at rest. Peruvian House. 



M. grandiflora. — The pseudo-bulbs of this beautiful 

 species are ovate, slightly flattened at the edges, and 

 deep green, bearing a pair of oblong-ovate leaves, 

 which taper at both ends ; they are nine to twelve 

 inches long, and dark full green ; scape much shorter 

 than the leaves, one-flowered ; flowers erect, upwards 

 of three inches in diameter ; sepals equal, ovate, and 

 pure white, slightly streaked with pink ; petals also 

 pure white, but much smaller than the sepals; lip 

 three-lobed, pouched, reddish-purple on the outside ; 

 disc white, side lobes rich purple, front lobe tri- 

 angular, reflexed, white, with a golden-yellow 

 marginal border. Winter and spring months, 

 lasting long in beauty. New Grenada and Peru, at 

 from 4,000 to 7,000 feet elevation. 



M. venusta. — In general habit and appearance this 

 species resembles the preceding; the flowers are 

 solitary' and nodding, pure snowy -white, the lip 

 bearing a few blotches of crimson, and faintly 

 stained with pale yellow. Winter and spring 



months, lasting for months in full beauty. New 

 Grenada, at 5,000 to 6,000 feet elevation. 



Mesospinidium. — A small genus of plants, 

 having much the appearance of Odontoglossunis, and 

 requiring just the same kind of treatment, which 

 see. These plants will succeed either in pots or upon 

 a block of wood. Peruvian House. 



M. sangidneum. — A small- growing, elegant plant, 

 with compressed pseudo-bulbs, which are ovate and 

 dark green, the upper part freckled with brown ; 

 leaves in pairs, strap- shaped. The spike is branched 

 and pendulous, bearing a quantity of rather small 

 rosy-red flowers. Winter and spring months. Peru- 

 vian Andes, now named Cochlioda sanguinea. 



M. vtdcanicum {Cochlioda vulcanica). — This species 

 derives its name from the fact of its discoverer, Dr, 

 Spruce, having found it growing upon the volcanic 

 mountains in Eastern Peru. In general appearance 

 it resembles Odontoglossiim roseum ; it is a more robust 

 plant than the preceding, but the pseudo-bulbs and 

 leaves have the same heavy green colour. The spike 

 is not branched, but bears numerous beautiful rosy- 

 crimson flowers, which are much larger than those 

 of sm^guineion, and last a long time in perfection. 

 Winter months. Peru\dan Andes. 



Miltonia, — A family of Brazilian Orchids, 

 nearly allied to Oncid'mm and Odontoglossiim^ but its 

 very short column at once marks the distinction from 

 both. Dr, Lindley established the genus in honour 

 of Viscount Milton, who was a zealous cultivator of 

 this order of plants. The genus is thus briefly cha- 

 racterised : Sepals and petals equal, an undivided 

 sessile lip continuous with the column ; a short 

 column with two auricles, and a membranous naked 

 anther, containing two waxy pollen-masses, furrowed 

 behind, and having an obovate caudicle and oblong 

 gland." Miltonias may be grown in hanging 

 baskets, but we prefer pot or pan culture, and the 

 soil shoixld be equal parts of peat and sphagnum, 

 with a little sand added ; drain well, as they enjoy a 

 liberal supply of heat and moisture when growing, 

 with partial shade ; during the resting season full 

 exposure to the light, and just sufficient water to 

 keep them from shrivelling, is all they require. 

 Many cultivators grow their Miltonias fully exposed 

 to the sun's rays, under which treatment they cer- 

 tainly bloom very profusely, but the foliage is 

 always of a sickly yellow, and the effect when the 

 flowers appear is not pleasant; but partially shading 

 as recommended above will not rob the plants of 

 their proliferousness, and the green leaves will afford 

 a beautiful contrast to the delicate blossoms. Bra- 

 zilian House. 



31. Candida. — A veiy handsome species, with large, 



