84 THE BOOK OF ORCHIDS 



rooting plants and require a good amount of space. 

 The pots should be two-thirds rilled with drainage. 

 Peat and sphagnum moss in equal proportions, with a 

 handful of crocks added, is a suitable compost for the 

 roots to ramble amidst. In potting, keep the base of the 

 plant on a level with the rim of the pot, carefully 

 working the compost between the roots, and potting 

 moderately firmly. Afford but little water until the 

 roots have a firm hold of the compost, or both they and 

 the leaves will quickly decay. Masdevallias succeed 

 best in a comparatively cool temperature, doing well 

 with the Odontoglossums during the summer months, 

 but, if through the winter they can be accommodated 

 with a few degrees more warmth, it will be to their 

 advantage. Shade from all sunshine, keep the atmosphere 

 fairly moist, and never let the plants get the least dry 

 at the root when they are well established. The M. 

 Chimara section, M. tovarensis, M. Trochilus, and M. 

 ephippium do best in the intermediate house during 

 winter. 



Maxillaria 



The genus Maxillaria is an extensive one, in- 

 cluding over a hundred species, which are distributed 

 from Brazil to the West Indies, being most numerous 

 probably on the Cordilleras of the Andes where they 

 ascend to 5000 feet or more. The generic name took 

 its rise from the fanciful resemblance of the column 

 and lip to the jaws of an insect. The species vary 

 greatly, and two sectional divisions have been based on 

 the habit of the plants. Such species as M. tenuifolia, 

 M. meleagris, M. variab/is, M. Houtteana, and M. 

 sanguinea produce scandent or ascending rhizomes. 

 Others, as M. Amesiana, M. e/egantu/a, M. fractiflexa, 

 M. focata, M. grandiflora, M. Sander iana, M. s cur r His, 

 M. Hubschii, M. luteo-alba, M. picta, M. striata, and 



