Plate 15. 



MASDEVALLIA IGNEA. 



We have already figured in our former series examples of this curious and interesting 

 genus of Orchids, many additions to which have been made of late years ; and we have now 

 the pleasure of giving one which has been greatly admired when exhibited during the 

 present year. 



The Masdevallias are all interesting, and as they occupy but little space and are very 

 easily grown, they are worthy of a place in any orchid house where the cool treatment is 

 adopted ; for as in the case of many other Orchids, they have been grown in too high a 

 temperature, and consequently failure has often attended their cultivation ; the idea formerly 

 entertained having been that, because some Orchids coming from the East Indies and 

 other hot countries required a high temperature, all did so ; the Masdevallias will thrive 

 under the same treatment as Odontoglossum, should be potted in moss and sphagnum, and 

 always kept moist at the roots without being soddened. 



Masdevallia ignea has been exhibited by Messrs. Veitch, Mr. Bull, Mr. Day, of Tottenham, 

 Mr. W. Marshall, of Clay Hill, Enfield, and other Orchid growers ; the flowers are of a 

 crimson-red, or sometimes orange-scarlet colour, the veins deeply shaded with crimson ; 

 it was imported from New Grenada, and sold at Mr. Stevens's sale. Like many of the 

 Orchids, it varies very much in colour, some of those exhibited by Mr. Marshall being so very 

 dissimilar, that to many they appeared almost like a distinct species ; the species is remarkable 

 for having the upper sepal bent down between the sinus of the lateral ones, giving it a 

 singular appearance. 



Plate 16. 



DRACAENA EXCELSA (or ELEGANS) * 



" The Dracanas," says Mr. B. Williams in his valuable and thoroughly practical book, 

 " Choice Stove and Greenhouse plants," " are amongst the most useful and beautiful of fine 

 foliaged plants, partly owing to their noble but graceful habit, and partly owing to the 

 colour which the leaves of many species assume." We may add to this, that another title to 

 their being more generally grown is their great use for the decoration of houses, halls, 

 ballrooms, &c. ; they will stand a considerable amount of exposure to heat and dust without 

 being materially injured thereby. The various varieties of D. indivisa are exceedingly beau- 

 tiful for this purpose ; while others, such as D. Coqperi, D.ferrea, D. robicsta, D. terminalis, make 

 very admirable plants for subtropical gardening. 



In the matter of cultivation they do not present much difficulty, a compost of two-thirds 

 peat, and one-third loam, being that best adapted for them ; they should also have a fair 

 amount of pot room. 



Dracana excelsa is a beautiful South Sea Island plant, with spreading leaves broadly 

 oblong and narrowed at the base ; the colour is a rich deep olive green, and the edges of the 

 leaves are margined with bright carmine. As a decorative plant of medium growth it pro- 

 mises to be very useful, and for this purpose Mr. Bull, in whose establishment we saw it, 

 considers it a decided acquisition. 



* The name it bore when our drawing 1 was made, but subsequently changed, whence the discrepancy disco 

 vered too late for rectification. 



