TMe orcMid world. 
nearly twice the height of the leaves. The 
flowers, which are somewhat small, are very 
effective in a mass, and contain orange- 
yellow and crimson colourmg. 
M. attenuata is remarkable for being one 
of the few white flowered species. It is a 
native of Costa Rica, and the flowers, which 
are produced in winter, have long yellow tails. 
M. bella belongs to the Chimasra group, 
probably containing the most curious 
species. The flowers, which are produced 
on drooping peduncles, are triangular in out- 
line, chiefly yellow in colour with many 
chocolate-red spots, and the dark red tails 
of the sepals are usually four inches in 
length. 
M. Chimaera and its many varieties should 
be represented in every collection. They 
are best grown in baskets or shallow pans, 
which will allow the drooping flower stems 
to show at their best. The sepals, as in 
other Masdevalhas, are the chief point of 
attraction, and in the variety known as 
Sanderiana the diameter between the tips 
of the sepals often exceeds two feet. 
M. Davisii is a valuable addition, its very 
distinct orange-yellow colour making a 
pleasing contrast when staged with some of 
the purple tinted species. 
M. Harryana has countless varieties, vary- 
ing in intensity of colour from milky-white to 
purple-crimson. At least forty distinct 
named forms could be procured of this ele- 
gant spring flowering species, which is a 
native of Colombia. 
M. Houtteana, on account of the large 
number of grotesque flowers which it pro- 
duces at the same time, always attracts con- 
siderable attention when in bloom. It is an 
easy species to grow, flowers in summer, and 
has a movable, pink-white lip. 
M. ignea may be recommended as a com- 
panion to M. Harryana, although the 
varieties are not so numeious, yet several 
are worthy of culture. The variety 
aurantiaca has bright orange flowers, mili- 
taris produces large, brilliant red blossoms, 
and Boddasrtii sends forth flowers of deep- 
crimson shaded with yellow. 
M. macrura, at one time very rare, is a 
stately-growing species with broad glossy 
leaves 2-3 inches in diameter. The broad 
parts of the sepals are light reddish-brown, 
marked with dark purple- brown streaks and 
spots ; the tails, which are from 4-6 inches 
m length, are yellow. I'he principal nerves 
of the interior of the flowers are quite pro- 
minent, and covered with numerous black 
warts. 
M. muscosa is one of the most interesting 
and wonderful species in the genus. The 
flowers, which are produced on thickly-haired 
stems, have a comparatively large, irritable 
lip. On any small insect entering the flower 
the lip springs up, closing firmly over the 
column, and imprisoning the insect for about 
twenty minutes. 
M. Simula is a diminutive species with 
leaves barely two inches in height, the flower 
scapes little more than half an inch, but 
very freely produced. It is commonly 
known as " the partridge in the grass 
Orchid." 
M. Tovarensis is a pure-white winter 
flowering species with leaves about six inches 
in height. The blossoms last a considerable 
time in perfection and are most useful for 
cut flower decorative purposes. It is a native 
of Tovar, from whence its name is derived. 
M. Veitchiana is a magnificent species 
with leaves nearly a foot in height. The 
flowers, which are borne well above the foli- 
age, are very handsome, and of a bright 
vermilion colour flushed with crimson-purple. 
The variety grandiflora is larger and more 
brilliantly coloured. This species grows 
naturally on the high mountains of Peru, and 
like the majority of Masdevallias, it enjoys 
cool house treatment. 
M. velifera is more curious than beautiful, 
its large, brownish-red flowers having a splen- 
did gloss as if covered with a coat of varnish. 
It is collected in Colombia and flowers during 
the summer season. 
M. Wagneriana may truly be called a 
diminutive Orchid, for the whole plant does 
not exceed two or three inches in height. 
The flowers are little more than half an inch 
across, yellow, thickly spotted with dark red, 
and with yellowish-green tails to the sepals. 
