ORCHIDS. 



137 



have been named and recorded, the best of which 

 are aurea, Dodgsonii, formosa, insignis, Patersonii, 

 planilabris, Schilleriana, JRusselUana, Warnerii. 



It is similar in habit to V. suavis. Eacemes six 

 to twelve-flowered. Sepals and petals pale yellow, or 

 yellowish- white, blotched and spotted with crimson. 

 Lip purple, streaked with white. Spring and sum- 

 mer. J ava. 



Vanilla. — A small genus of climbing Orchids, de- 

 riving their name from the Spanish word vaina, " a 

 sheath," in reference 

 to the shape of the 

 seed-vessel. These 

 plants emit roots 

 from the joints and 

 attach themselves to 

 trees much in the 

 same manner as Ivy, 

 and thus climb to the 

 tops of the forest 

 trees. The seed-pods 

 of V. aromatica are 

 largely used for 

 flavouring ices and 

 jellies, liqueurs, and 

 for other domestic 

 purposes ; they are 

 also used to perfume 

 snuff, <fcc. ; but very 

 few species are de- 

 serving notice from 

 the horticultural 

 point of view. The 

 situation best adapted 

 for Vanillas is a wall 

 in a warm house, 

 where they can be 



allowed to have a full amount of sunshine. Pot in 

 peat and sphagnum moss, and drain well. Supply 

 abundantly with water during the summer, and 

 never allow them to suffer drought, though only just 

 sufficient is requisite during winter to keep the stems 

 and leaves from shrivelling. East Indian House. 



V. aromatica. — This species is more remarkable 

 for its economic properties than for the beauty of its 

 flower, although the best Vanilla of commerce is the 

 produce of V. planifolia. It grows and fruits freely 

 in this country. Stems terete, fleshy, and deep 

 green, bearing alternate, oblong, succulent, dark 

 green leaves. Flowers thick and fleshy, in short 

 racemes. Sepals and petals oblong-acute, nearly 

 equal, spreading, greenish-white. Lip entire, and 

 bearded at the base, leaving the column naked. 

 Seed-pod cylindrical and fleshy, full of small black 

 seeds, which yield a grateful perfume. Brazil. 



Warrea Candida {enlarged), 



V. lutescens. — This species is an exception to the 

 majority of the members of the genus, whose flowers 

 are usually aull-coloured and inconspicuous. It is 

 somewhat rare, but sufficiently showy to induce the 

 lovers of this order to find a place for it, as the 

 racemes bear six to twelve flowers, each measuring 

 about six inches in diameter, of a uniform rich 

 golden-yellow. Summer months. French Guiana. 



V. Phalamopsis. — A large-flowered and handsome 

 species, at present rare in cultivation. Flowers pro- 

 duced in umbels of from three to seven, each some 



two to three inches 

 across. Sepals and 

 petals pure white, 

 green at the back. 

 Lip large, soft rose, 

 inside rich velvety- 

 orange. Madagascar. 



Warrea. — A ge- 

 nus named in honour 

 of Mr. F. Warre, a 

 collector of plants in 

 Brazil; they are for 

 the most part very 

 showy and handsome, 

 but have very little 

 to distinguish them 

 from Hu ntleya. 

 These plants have 

 small, or no pseudo- 

 bulbs, consequently 

 must not be sub- 

 jected to a drying- 

 off. Plant them in 

 peat and sphagnum, 

 with a few nodules of 

 charcoal, drain the 

 pots well, and water freely when growing. Brazi- 

 lian House. 



W. bidentata. — Leaves strongly veined or plaited, 

 deep green. Flowers solitary, large. Sepals and 

 petals soft cream-colour. Lip bidentate at top, 

 with a curious elevated lamella, rich deep purple. 

 Spring months. Peak of Tolima, New Grenada, at 

 4,000 feet elevation. 



* W. Candida.— These plants are all similar in 

 growth; it attains a height of about ten inches. 

 Peduncle two or three-flow r ered. Sepals and petals 

 oblong-acute, pure white. Lip broad, purple in the 

 centre, shading into blue at the margin, whilst the 

 base is white, with a few streaks of red. It blooms 

 at various seasons. Bahia. 



W. cyanea. — Although introduced over forty years 

 ago this is still a rare plant, which is much to be 

 regretted, as it is one of the few Orchids with a bit 



