BARKEEIAS. 



36 



top without any moss. They send out their thick fleshy 

 roots very freely, and will soon cling to the blocks. They 

 require to be grown in a cool house, where they can receive 

 air every day during their season of growth. The Mexican 

 house will be the most suitable place for them, but during 

 then' season of growth they require a good supply of water. 

 Twice a-day in summer will not be too much for them; 

 but during their season of rest veiy little water will suffice, 

 — only enough to keep their bulbs from shrivelling, about 

 two or three times a-week. They should be suspended 

 from the roof, near the glass, where they can receive plenty 

 of light, but not too much sun. 



Barkeria melanocaulon. — A pretty and free-flowering 

 Orchid from Costa Eica; the sepals and petals are lilac 

 pink, the labellum with a spot of green in the centre. It 

 produces its blossoms on an upright spike from June to 

 September, and will continue in perfection a long time. 

 A. very rare and desirable species. 



B. Liiidleyana. — From the same country. The flowers 

 are produced on a long spike, and are of a rich purple 

 colour, with a blotch of white in the centre of the lip ; 

 blooms in September and October, and lasts long in good 

 condition. A scarce plant. 



B. Skinnerii. — A beautiful free-flowering Orchid from 

 Guatemala, with deep rose-coloured blossoms, which are 

 produced on a spike sometimes tw^o feet long, with as 

 many as twenty to thirty flowers on each spike. It will 

 continue in flower from November to February. A valuable 

 Orchid for winter blooming. 



B. spectabilis. — A charming species, from the same 

 country as Skinnerii, the flowers of which proceed from 

 the top of the bulb, on a spike bearing eight ar ten flowers 

 of a rosy pink, or blush, dotted with deep crimson. It 

 blooms in June and July, and lasts three or four weeks in 



