FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB. 251 



" white butterfly " or pure white variety of a typical yellow- 

 brown coloured orchid could exist in accordance with nature's 

 laws. 



The one who discovers this most wonderful curiosity (if it 

 does exist) would without question be entitled to the fortune 

 which would certainly be the result of such a discover}'', but the 

 search for it would be more fruitless than that of Raleigh for El 

 Dorado, or the efforts to reach the poles of the world. 



Oncidium papilio grows best in this climate on a block in a 

 situation, where it gets a fair amount of light and shade and is 

 screened from the direct rays of the sun during the warmer 

 hours of the day. The best wood for blocks is calabash 

 (L'rescentia cujeie) with the bark on, as it will last a very long 

 time, and Oncidium papilio takes some time to grow into a fine 

 plant, as it sends only one flower spike with each pseudo-bulb. 



If a large mass or cluster of pseudo-bulbs be obtained, 

 it is best, when the owner is able to do so, to affix it to a 

 growing tree, for if the flower spike of the older bulbs be healthy, 

 he will soon have a plant which will be in flower all the year 

 round. 



Before taking leave of this old friend, the first species of 

 orchid I ever owned, it might be well to mention that it was the 

 sight of this Oncidium in bloom, which, it is said, induced the late 

 Duke of Devonshire to become such an enthusiastic orchid 

 fancier, thus stimulating the cultivation of orchids in England, 

 and causing the discovery and introduction of many other 

 beautiful genera and species from all parts of the tropical world. 



I find on looking back that this paper has grown to a size 

 to which I never intended it should, therefore I must apolo- 

 gise for its great length, and crave indulgence on the plea that my 

 lo%'e of these gems of our native forests, has caused me to tres- 

 pass extraordinarily on your time, and in concluding, I hope 

 that other members of the Club maybe tempted to join the 

 few who are already interested in the study of these curious 

 and beautiful plants, and give us the benefit of their experience 

 also ; for orchid growing in this Island is learnt, not so much 

 from books, as from observation, actual experience often taught 

 by sad failure, and a careful study of the native species in 

 their habitat. 



At some other time I may be able to give some further 

 notes on the subject of our native species, 



Dec, 1894. 



