In the Cool orchid house two plants of Anguloa
Clowesii are out, each of them bearing two flowers. In
their way these are among the most remarkable of
Orchids, chiefly because they differ so widely from any
other species. The plant is a noble one, with its tall
green pseudo-bulbs and broad leaves, and the flower
even more difficult to describe than usual. The natives
of Colombia call it El Torito, as they consider it like a
bull's head, and among amateurs it is known as the
Cradle orchid, because of its globular shape and of the
lip, which, if the stem is shaken, rocks within. This
represents the baby, but if any infant were thus oscil-
lated in its cradle, its career, however merry, would
certainly be short. For the rest, the flower is of the
size of a tulip, very solid and wax-like, and a beautiful
yellow' in colour.
Another Orchid that is in flower here is Epidendrum
Parkinsonianum, of which I grow several plants, all
raised from one specimen, that I have owned since I
returned from Mexico about thirteen years ago, which
specimen, by the way, is still in full health and vigour.
This Orchid has a pendulous growth, with fleshy, oblong
leaves that come to a point, and the flowers, which
generally appear in pairs, are thick in substance and
starry in shape, and from ivory white turn to yellow
with age, lasting a long while in beauty. It is easy to



206 A GARDENER'S YEAR

grow, and requires little attention and re-potting, or so,
at least, I have found.
