38 
FRIDAY, JANUARY 10TH, 1908. 
British Orchids, 
BY 
Mio. EDMONDS, -B.Se@ 
RCHIDS, the Lecturer observed, were widely distributed, 
being found everywhere except in the Polar regions, hut 
they reached their greatest development in the hot, moist 
atmosphere of tropical forests. Here they were usually found as 
unbidden guests growing on branches or trunks of trees. But 
although flourishing in such a position they were not parasitic. 
-They did not take their nourishment from their hosts as was the 
case with the dodder and the mistletoe ; they were provided with 
remarkable aerial roots which, hanging down in the atmosphere, 
took their nourishment from the gases present and the moisture, 
which they condensed. The family was a most extensive one, 
the latest trade list giving some 3,500 orchids as against 2,000 
chrysanthemums and 1,800 roses. Yet though so numerous no 
specimen appeared so prolific in individuals as to constitute a 
feature in the landscape. ‘The British orchids numbered about 
40 species, distributed among some 16 or 17 genera. Of these 
species, according to the new edition of Arnold’s “ Flora of 
Sussex,” 28 were found in this County. Some 15 of these species 
were described in great detail by Mr. Edmonds, his remarks 
being illustrated by many lantern slides. 
At the close of the lecture Mr. G. Morgan conveyed the 
thanks of the audience to Mr. Edmonds, and observing that in 
Shropshire, where he formerly lived, he had never found a third 
of the orchids that he had discovered in Sussex, asked what 
determined the growth of the flowers. Mr. Edmonds replied 
that many of the orchids seemed to grow upon chalk, while the 
bee orchids and others were to be found only on the northern 
side of hills—never on the sunny side. There also seemed to be 
certain heights at which they flourished. 
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