WILD, OR NATIVE FLOWERS. 75 



(Reich.) The scape of this species is furnished with long narrow 

 sharply pointed bracts and greenish flowers. 



In some of our Orchidaceous plants when examined, there will be 

 seen at the base of the fleshy scape, two roundish bulbs, or tubers ; 

 farinaceous masses, whence the bundle of white fibres, the roots and 

 rootlets proper, proceed, and which contain the prepared food to support 

 the growth of the year. 



From one of these tubers, the scape, bearing the scaly or leafy 

 bracts, root-leaves and flowers, springs, and at the flowering season is 

 much larger than the other. 



The flower-bearing bulb deceases from exhaustion of its substance, 

 shrivels, turns brown, and begins to decay, while the other continues 

 slowly but steadily to go on increasing, bearing in its bosom the embryo 

 flower-stem and foliage, which are to appear the following year. Another 

 tiny bulb is also preparing in like manner, attached by a slender fleshy 

 cord to its companion. Thus from year to year the process goes, on each 

 one taking the place of its predecessor after its office has been fulfilled. 



This singular mode of reproduction seems to supersede the necessity 

 for the development of seed, as in other flowering plants ; nor is it so 

 common to find seedlings of the Orchids springing up round the 

 parent plant, as in the case of other flowers. 



The reason why so few amateur florists succeed in transplanting 

 the native Orchids into their gardens, arises from want of due care in 

 taking them up. The life of the plant for the following season being 

 contained in the new forming tuber, if this be in the least injured 

 the chance of another flower in the future is at an end. The succulent 

 tender roots are easily broken or wounded, and these strike rather deep 

 down in the soil, and must be taken up uninjured, with a good portion 

 of the mould, or there is small chance of life for the plant. Nor will 

 the Orchis thrive in common earth — it requires fibrous, peaty soil, 

 moisture, and some shade, with the warmth that arises from the moist 

 soil, and shelter of the surrounding herbage. They all thrive best in 

 the Conservatory or Green-house. 



Golden Dodder — Cuscuta Groiwvii^ (Willd.) 



This smgular parasitical plant occurs on the rocky shores of our 

 inland lakes. There seem to be two species. One with bright, orange- 

 coloured coils, and greenish white flowers ; the other with green, rusty 

 wiry stems, and smaller blossoms. This last occurs on the rocky shores 

 of Stoney Lake, where in the month of August it may be found 

 twining around the slender stems of the Lesser Golden-rod, a small, 

 narrow-leaved Solidago. 



