May 3, 1883 ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
365 
Fig. 86.—Epidendrcm nemohale. 
coloured flower?. Darned majus, is also grown. Probably the 
finest specimen of this in cultivation is one I have seen in the 
Burford Lodge collection, which is about 4 feet in diameter, and 
has borne eighteen racemes of flowers at one time.—L. Castle. 
(To be continued.) 
AMERICAN ALOES AT OXFORD. 
On a lawn near to the succulent house in the Oxford Botanic 
Garden under the care of the Curator, Mr. W. H. Baxter, there 
are at the present time two noble specimens of American Aloes 
that will during the approaching summer be in bloom. Until 
recently they have occupied a prominent position in their winter 
quarters, but the rapidity with which they have developed their 
flower-spikes has necessitated their prompt removal to the situ¬ 
ation indicated, where they are effectually sheltered from unpro- 
pitious weather by a temporary structure about 25 feet in height. 
The largest specimen is a remarkably handsome plant with varie¬ 
gated leaves, some of them measuring more than 6 feet in length, 
from which rises a healthy flower-spike, already exceeding 10 feet 
in height, and which exhibits every indication of developing into 
an exceedingly fine one. The companion plant is of the green¬ 
leaved kind, but little inferior in size, and has produced a flower- 
2 inches in diameter. The sepals and petals are ovate, pure white, 
of wax-like substance, the lip also being white, with numerous 
small violet dots ; and the two projections at the base of the lip, 
which gives the name to the species, are yellowish. The racemes 
are 6 to 9 inches long and bear several flowers near their apex, 
their fragrance being most delicate and pleasing. The old pseudo¬ 
bulbs are often hollow and are a favourite resort for ants, which 
are very troublesome. Cockroaches, too, are rather partial to the 
flowers, and must be carefully watched for. 
JE. nemorale .—Quite distinct from the foregoing is this hand¬ 
some Orchid, which is sometimes seen under the name of 
E. verrucosum, and with which it is figured in the “ Botanical 
Register ” and “ Botanical Magazine.” It is a native of Mexico, 
where it has been found growing on trees in groves near Sultepec. 
The sepals and petals are narrow, of a pale rose or mauve hue, 
the top being much darker, often a rich rose colour, with deep 
streaks. The flowers are borne in racemes or panicles, which are 
frequently 2 or even 3 feet long, and a plant in its best condition 
with these long drooping or arching racemes has a most beautiful 
appearance, scarcely surpassed by any other member of the genus. 
The woodcut represents a plant that flowered very freely in 
Messrs. J. Yeitch & Sons’ nursery, Chelsea. The figure faithfully 
depicts the chief characters of the Orchid, both in its habit and 
the form of the flowers. A variety with much larger and deeper 
