98 SACCOLABIUM CALCEOLARE. 
Like the majority of other Vandeous Orchidacew^ it is an Epiphyte, and thrives 
most luxuriantly when treated as such. A log of wood, of almost any dimensions, 
should be employed for its support, and to this it may be secured with wire or 
matting, merely surrounding the lower roots with a little moss. It may here be 
remarked that the size of the block selected should in all cases be somewhat con- 
formable to the height of the plant intended to be attached ; and, in the present 
instance, a piece of about six or nine inches long, and an inch or rather more in 
diameter, will be most appropriate. The cultivator need scarcely be reminded 
that it is in a great measure by the roots which are evolved from various parts of 
the stem, and not alone by those which are enveloped in the moss at the base, that 
nourishment is obtained. By a proper consideration of this fact, and an enlightened 
reference to the conditions in wdiich S. calceolare naturally flourishes, as before 
stated, it will be seen that atmospheric humidity, and a protection of some thin 
material which will refract the sun's rays, are the most necessary constituents of 
its cultivation. 
The statements just delivered apply solely to the management of this plant 
while growing. As it flowers during the months of July and August, its growth 
is fully completed before the commencement of the winter, and during this latter 
season it should be retained in a dry and cool atmosphere, apart from all exciting 
circumstances. Being naturally a pendent species, it should either be allowed to 
hang very loosely from the block of wood, suspended perpendicularly from the 
roof of the house, or the block should be placed horizontally during its growing 
stage ; as, if made to assume an erect position, water would accumulate in the 
nodes of the young shoots, and probably promote their decomposition. 
If desirable, it may be planted in a wire or rustic wooden basket, filled with 
moss, and hung from the rafters of the house ; but this treatment is not so suitable 
as that before recommended. 
For propagation, the young shoots may be broken carefully out when the plant 
is dormant. It is advisable that the branches thus detached should be of two or 
three years' growth, and have one or more small lateral shoots. By placing them 
in a shady situation till they evince signs of withering, and afterwards treating 
them as the old specimens, they will almost invariably succeed. 
The term Saccolahimn is derived from saccus, a bag, and lahium, a lip ; the 
labellum of the flowers of this genus being pouch-shaped. 
In our present species, the lip is fancied to bear some resemblance in form to a 
slipper ; hence the name calceolare. 
