The dark, green-leaved air plant, AErides vi-rens, is a very beautiful epiphytal orchidaceous plant. It is a native of Java, from whence it was introduced by Messrs. Loddiges of the Hackney nurseries in 1842. It is a strictly stove plant, having broad, thick, obtuse, glossy green leaves, and produces its flowers in pendulous many-flowered racemes. The flowers emit a rich and delicious perfume; in color they are mostly white, blotched and spotted with crimson and lilac. It flourishes best in a very damp atmosphere during its season of growth, and can be grown attached to a rough block of wood by fine wire, provided the lower port of the stem and roots are enveloped in sphagnum moss. Or they can be grown best in wire baskets filled with sphagnum moss interspersed with broken pots. During its season of growth, which is from June to October, it should be given a plentiful supply of water, and a temperature of from 650 to 850. It should also be grown in a shady situation, or where it can be protected from the rays of the sun; thus treated it will grow rapidly and flower freely.

In the winter season, or from November to May, it can be exposed to the sun without sustaining any injury, and it should also be given a much lower temperature - from 500 to 6o°. At this season it should be kept quite dry, almost to the suspension of water. Propagation is effected by a careful division or separation of the plant, and in doing this it is best not to separate or remove any young branches until roots have protruded from them, and after separation give the young plants very little moisture until they show signs of growth. The young plants require a similar treatment to that advised for young plants.

The generic name is derived from "Aer," air, on account of its deriving so visibly its support from the atmosphere; and the specific, on account of the peculiarly rich glossy green color its leaves assume. Queens, N. Y.