Page:Curtis's Botanical Magazine, Volume 75 (1849).djvu/94

 anth patent-reflexed, of a rich, deep, purple-rose colour. Sepals oblong, the edges even; petals much broader, otherwise similar,but the edge in the upper half waved and crisped. Lip very large, the lower half forming a laterally compressed tube around the column: the apex expanding into a broad rotundate, two-lobed, crisped lamella, with a pale, somewhat heart-shaped yellow spot at the base. Column elongate, clavate, with a lateral tooth on each side, the anther at the top. W. J. II. . The plant producing this splendid flower, belongs to a genus of terrestrial Orchids of a peculiar habit, having slender reed-like, leafy stems, varying from two to ten or more feet in height, which spring from a fascicle of thick fleshy roots. The species now figured is a native of Mexico, and is found to thrive best when kept in the cool division of the Orchideous house, the average winter temperature ranging between 55° and 60°. A light free soil suits it, which should be composed of a mixture of sandy peat and light loam, with the addition of a little leaf- mould. On account of its thick fleshy roots it is necessary to give it more pot-room than its slender habit would seem to require; and as the roots are not inclined to go deep, wide shallow pots or pans are to be preferred, taking care to have the pot properly drained so as to allow free watering and syringing during summer, without the chance of the mould becoming saturated. Too much water should not be given in winter, during which season it is apt to be attacked by thrips. If these are not checked in time, the plant will soon assume a sickly appearance, owing to the cuticle of the under-side of the leaves having been destroyed by this minute but troublesome insect. Repeated fumigation with tobacco does much to keep them under, but it is advisable to remove the plant to a convenient place and apply the syringe to the under-side of the leaves, taking care that the water is at a proper temperature. It is increased by separating the roots, which requires to be done very carefully, so as not to break them; like many other monocotyledonous plants with thick fleshy roots, when broken they seldom or never make side-roots, the broken ones continuing to decay back to their origin. J. S. Fig. 1. Column-natural size.