CORYANTHES. 



coryanthes A genus of orchids of marvellous structure aud great interest to the 



lover of quaint and beautiful plants. They are nearly related to the Stanhopeas, and to 

 these we refer the reader for culture generally. The Coryanthes, however, require 

 more heat and moisture even than the Stanhopeas, and a hot sun shining on the plants 

 does no harm, provided they are thoroughly moist at the roots, and the atmosphere of 



* 



Fig. 44. CVONOCHES CHLOEOCHILON. 



the house is also heavily charged with moisture. A very peculiar property in the flowers 

 is the habit the outer segments have of decaying at once when these open, leaving 

 only the hollow lip, which secretes a sweet fluid eagerly sought for by insects, who play 

 their part in the fertilisation of the flower. They last a very short time in good con- 

 dition. The most worthy of cultivation are C. macrantha : Flower spikes containing 

 VOL. III. n 



