34 



OECHIDS. 



ANSELLIA. 



Ansellia Africana. — A noble free-flowering Orcliid, 

 growing three or four feet high ; the flowers proceed from 

 the top of the bulb, with sixty or seventy flowers on a 

 spike. They are of a pale yellow colour, spotted all over 

 with dark bro^vn ; the lip yellow. This is a fine plant for 

 w^inter blooming, and remains in perfection a long time if 

 kept in a cool house. We had a plant of this in a cool 

 house, of from 45° to 50^, which began to open its flowers 

 early in the beginning of February, and continued in blos- 

 som till the latter end of May. This plant is of easy cul- 

 tivation, requiring the heat of the East India house, and 

 being best grown in a pot of large size, with peat and good 

 drainage. The roots should be well watered about two or 

 three times a- week ; but be careful not to wet the young 

 growth, as this is apt to cause them to rot. This Orchid 

 was found by a gardener, the late John Ansell, in Africa, 

 at the bottom of a palm-tree. It is the only one of the 

 genus that is known ; it is rather a scarce plant, and is 

 propagated by dividing the bulbs after it has finished its 

 growth. 



BAKKERIAS. 



These plants are deciduous, losing their leaves during 

 their season of rest ; they are small- growing, but free in 

 producing flowers, which are both rich and delicate in 

 colour. These plants merit a place in every collection. 

 I have seen only four species. There is one called Bar- 

 keria elegans, but I believe it is lost to the countiy. 

 The Barkerias are compact-growing, with upright slender 

 bulbs, from the top of which the numerous flower-stems 

 are produced. These plants are best grown on blocks of 

 wood of a flat shape, so that the plants can be tied on the 



