SOME STRANGE GREENHOUSE PLANTS 



it can derive no advantages from holding upright 

 its leaves and flowers, indeed in heavy rain it 

 would probably get them seriously damaged ; a 

 moist atmosphere is the plant's greatest need, 

 and, consequently, the water is quickly conducted 

 earthwards. From the earth the water rises as 

 aqueous vapour, in which form it becomes of ser- 

 vice to the plant. 



That, I think, is what I can read from the ap- 

 pearance of this very original orchid plant. I may, 

 however, be altogether wrong, judging it as I 

 do within its present greenhouse home. To 

 understand really the meaning of all its novel 

 characteristics, the plant should be studied in its 

 native haunts ; also, its past history, external con- 

 ditions, and natural foes would all need con- 

 sideration. In any case, the business of the orchid 

 is to produce its flowers and seeds, and this 

 inverted position undoubtedly suits its purpose 

 best, just as the curious pitchers of the pitcher- 

 plants, the giant leaves of the caladium, and the 

 spiny stems of the cacti best meet the needs of 

 their own plants. 



105 



