130 MANAGEMENT OF THE GENUS JESCHYNANTHUS. 



considerable period the species were almost wholly considered 

 as epiphytal plants, and, as such, were grown principally in 

 sphagnum or moss attached to branches or logs of wood in pots, 

 or suspended promiscuously with other plants, and thus exposed 

 to the alternating influence of light and shade, drought and 

 moisture, in an atmosphere many degrees less humid than was 

 congenial to their growth ; and they were seldom or never in- 

 dulged with rest, which is so essential to their fertility. 



Though generally found in their native localities on the 

 trunks and branches of trees, in moist and shady woods, the fact 

 appears to have been overlooked, that the design and adaptation 

 of such situations was but in accordance with a primary law of 

 Nature, which often seeks the perpetuation rather than the per- 

 fection of the species, leaving the skilful cultivator the means of 

 obtaining the highest results of growth by a well-regulated arti- 

 ficial management. 



The position in which epiphytal plants are found (attached to 

 vegetable substances and in elevated positions) implies a habit 

 of growth and structure unable to resist stagnant moisture, 

 whether under natural or artificial treatment ; nevertheless, where 

 perfect growth is sought, experience teaches us that such treat- 

 ment as enables them to secrete the greatest amount of nutriment 

 (subject to a regulating power) may be rendered conducive to 

 their highest fertility. 



A partial exclusion of light and a moist warm atmosphere are 

 powerful stimulants to growth, whilst the reverse is essential to 

 fertility ; and since the former of these conditions are those in 

 which the species of -ZEschynanthus are naturally found, whilst 

 they are fitted to endure much more light, heat, &c, the fol- 

 lowing inference is drawn : — that their natural habits of growth 

 do not necessarily imply the conditions most favourable to fer- 

 tility, and that therefore the principal cause of abortive growth 

 in the species generally may be mainly attributed to adhering 

 too closely to the conditions in which they are found in their 

 natural state. The practical application of the subject admits 

 of a twofold division of the genus in relation to its culture : — 

 1st. As epiphytal plants suspended upon or adhering to other 

 vegetable bodies, and principally sustained by atmospheric 

 moisture ; 2ndly. As pot-plants, deriving nourishment princi- 

 pally through the medium of their underground roots in soil. 

 For the former, the most essential conditions of growth and fer- 

 tility consist in a due exposure to strong sunlight, heat, and 

 moisture ; and for the latter, in an intermediate exposure to a 

 modified low and dry atmosphere, equal to an entire cessation of 

 growth until the formation of bloom. 



The pliant texture of their stems renders them admirably 



