as possible, and very little shade except during the hottest part of the day, 
when it should be protected from the scorcbing heat. During the growing 
season it should receive a plentiful supply of water, but in winter, when the 
plant is at rest, sufficient only should be given to keep the pseudobulbs 
plump. It has been observed to succeed best where there is an abundant supply 
of atmospheric moisture during the growing season. Under these conditions 
the plant is said to be not at ail difficult to cultivate successfully. 
It belongs to a small group of rather closely allied species, ail of which are 
natives of Northern Queensland, New Guinea, or the small adjacent islands. 
Of these may be mentioned D. bigïbbum Lindl. , D. superbiens Rchb. f. , 
D. Goldiei Rchb. f., D. Sumneri F. Muell. , D. dicuphum F. Muell. , and 
D. leucolophotum Rchb. f. The last-named species has white flowers, while 
the two preceding ones are not in cultivation, and hâve much smaller flowers 
than D. Phalaenopsis , so that none of them can possibly be confounded with 
it. D. Goldiei is very near D. superbiens , and I am not sure if botanically it is 
more than a fine, richly-coloured variety of it; but at ail events, both may readily 
be distinguished by their longer racemes of more numerous flowers, and other 
différences. D. bigibbum is the species most nearly allied to D . Phalaenopsis , but 
may readily be distinguished by its smaller, more uniformly coloured flowers, 
shorter crested lip, and other différences. 
Our présent species is the best of the group, its large richly-coloured flowers 
being very effective. They bear some little general resemblance to the genus 
Phalaenopsis, whence the spécifie name has been derived. The sepals are ovate- 
lanceolate and acuminate, very pale pink, with darker réticulations. The petals 
are much larger, rhomboid-orbicular, acute, contracted below, and rose-purple 
in colour. The lip is crimson-purple, deeper in the throat; the latéral lobes are 
incurved and meet above, the front one triangular-oblong, acute, and with five 
to seven obscure keels on the dise. The apex of the spur is narrow and straight, 
the basal part being expanded underneath into a small nearly hemispherical sac. 
The column has two white calli at the base. 
R. A. Rolfe. 
