130 



CASSELL'S POPULAR GARDENING. 



what we usually term " eyes," when speaking of 

 propagation, are really stem-cuttings. These two 

 stove-plants are generally increased from " eyes " 

 made as here shewn (Fig. 18). In every case 

 where cuttings of portions of the branches are not 

 available, and eyes only can be obtained for the 

 propagation of the plant, it will be found advisable 

 to sever a portion of the wood, however small, and 

 if possible a leaf also, with each eye. This precau- 

 tion will insure greater success than can be hoped 

 for where it is neglected ; by its means it becomes 

 possible to employ eyes for the increase of numerous 

 plants. 



Perhaps the only plant for which eyes are most 

 frequently employed for its propagation is the Vine, 

 for detailed treatment of which see Vol. I., pages 

 230 and 231. Many plants, both out-door and in, 

 may be increased in the same manner as Vines, but 

 in almost every case a portion of the wood is at- 

 tached to each eye, so that practically they may be 

 called cuttings of a single eye. The importance 

 of leaves both on these and on larger cuttings has 

 already been commented upon. A leafless cutting is 

 never so likely to succeed as one with leaves. Vines, 

 and a few other plants, are perhaps exceptions, but 

 no doubt the large quantity of organisable matter 

 stored up in the ripened shoot of a Vine sup- 

 plies the cuttings with that nourishment and vital 

 force, which in many other plants is afforded almost 

 wholly by the leaves. 



OECHIDS. 



By William Hugh Gower. 

 Sarcanthus. — A small genus of mostly email- 

 growing plants ; they can scarcely be considered 

 showy and effective, and yet there is a charm about 

 them which is indescribable. The name comes from 

 sarx, " flesh," and anthus, " a flower," in allusion to 

 the extreme fleshiness of their flowers in proportion to 

 their size. Some species of this genus are extremely 

 slow in growth, but still profuse bloomers. They 

 should be grown in small hanging baskets, and 

 treated the same as Aerides, which see. East Indian 

 House. 



S. chrysomelas. — A more robust plant than the 

 majority of the members of the genus ; it is a hand- 

 some-growing and very ornamental species. The 

 flowers are produced in profusion, but are smalL 

 Sepals and petals dull purple, inclining to black ; 

 lip somewhat triangular, yellow. Summer months. 

 British Burmah. 



S. erinaceus.— This is a small plant, and a very 

 slow grower, introduced in some quantity about the 

 year 1856, under the name of Aerides rubrum. 



Leaves two-ranked, oblong-acute, about three or four 

 inches long, and dark green, the sheathing base 

 freckled with reddish-brown. Peduncle pendulous, 

 six to eight inches long, clothed with woolly hairs, 

 rose-pink in colour. Racemes lax, bearing from 

 ten to twenty flowers. Sepals and petals waxy- 

 white, tinged with pink ; lip rosy -red, column pro- 

 longed into a curious beak. Summer and autumn 

 months. British Burmah. 



S. Farishii. — Leaves lorate, obliquely two-lobed 

 at the ends, about six inches long, dark green above, 

 paler below. Racemes longer than the leaves, pendu- 

 lous, many-flowered. Sepals and petals deep yellow, 

 streaked with red ; the Hp rosy-pink. Summer and 

 autumn months. British Burmah. 



Schomburgkia. — This genus commemorates the 

 celebrated explorer and collector, Sir Robert Schom- 

 burgk. These plants are nearly allied to Ex>iden- 

 drum ; they are large and massive-growing plants, 

 bearing their showy flowers upon long spikes. The 

 treatment given for Cattleya will suit them ad- 

 mirably. Brazilian House. 



S. crispa. — The members of this genus resemble 

 Cattleyas in appearance. The pseudo-bulbs of this 

 species are about a foot high, bearing a pair of dark 

 green coriaceous leaves. Flower- spike terminal, 

 about five feet long, bearing upon the summit a 

 large raceme of yellow and brown flowers of great 

 beauty. Winter months. Brazil. 



«S'. Lyonsii. — This is a somewhat rare species ; its 

 pseudo-bulbs are a foot or more long, bearing a 

 terminal spike some three feet high ; upon the apex 

 of this it bears a many-flowered raceme. Flowers 

 white, spotted with yellow and purple. Autumn 

 months. Jamaica. 



S. tibicinis. — The pseudo-bulbs of this species are 

 very large and stout, attaining a height of about two 

 feet ; these are ribbed and quite hollow, and from 

 this it has been called the Cow-horn Orchid. There 

 is a small hole at the base of each, and it is said these 

 are always occupied by colonies of ants. Flower- 

 spike five to nine feet long, bearing a very large 

 raceme of flowers near the summit. Sepals and 

 petals rosy-pink dotted and spotted with bright 

 brown. Lip white, lateral lobes tinged with rose. 

 Spring and early summer. Honduras. 



Scuticaria. — From scutica, "a whip," in reference 

 to the long whip-like terete leaves. Scuticarias, from 

 their habit of hanging down, must be grown upon 

 a block of wood, or in a shallow basket, with sphag- 

 num moss and a little peat. They enjoy a copious 

 supply of water in the summer months, and must 

 never be allowed to shrivel, even in winter. As a 

 genus it is closely allied to Maxillaria, its principal 



