LYCASTE — MILTONIAS. 



75 



LYCASTE. 



There are several species of this genus, but only a few 

 that have handsome flowers. These plants have short 

 thick bulbs with flag-shape leaves ; the flow^ers are single 

 generally, but sometimes double, and are formed at the 

 end of a spike or stalk, about eight inches from the bulbs. 

 They are of easy culture, and may be grown in either 

 house in pots with peat and good drainage ; plenty of 

 water in the growing season, but afterwards only enough 

 to keep them from shrivelling. They should be kept cool. 

 They are propagated by dividing the plants. 



L/y caste cruenta, from Guatemala. — The blossoms are 

 yellow, with a dark spot in the centre of the lip. It pro- 

 duces its flowers in abundance in March and April : lasts 

 three weeks in perfection. 



Lyc. Deppii. — A good old species from Zalapa. It 

 produces its flowers during the winter and spring months, 

 lasting long in beauty. 



Lyc. Skinnerii. — A beautiful Orchid from Guatemala. 

 A free-flowering species ; sepals and petals pure white, 

 tinged at the base with rose colour; the lip of the same 

 colour, spotted with crimson. There are several varieties 

 of this plant : one, called violacea, is much darker- coloured 

 in the lip ; it blooms during the winter months, lasting a 

 long time in beauty. This plant ought to be in every col- 

 lection ; it is one of the finest plants for winter blooming. 

 Its large, numerous, singularly - formed, and richly -co- 

 loured flowers, rendering it at this season peculiarly 

 attractive. 



MILTONIAS. 



There are some beautiful species of this class of plants, 

 several of the flowers are very handsome ; they are gene- 



