AND GENERAL HORTICULTURE. 



289 



ORG 



perhaps, still more remarkable. It appears 

 from an account which has recently been 

 published, that the lip of this plant is sensitive 

 and has a movement as definite as that of the 

 remarkable Dionceu muscipula, or "Venus' Fly- 

 trap." The habit of the plant is almost that of 

 the well-known M. Harryana, but smaller, the 

 flowers standing some sis inches high ; light 

 yellow in color, the tube of the sepals short, 

 the lip long and protruding, and much nar- 

 rowed behind. "When the flowers open, the lip 

 hangs pendulous underneath, but when an 

 insect alights on the lip, and touches a small 

 cushion-like disc, situated some distance 

 from the apex, the lip suddenly shuts up 

 tight against the column moving through 

 an angle of 80° or 90* in two seconds. The 

 Masdevallia is not as bloodthirsty as the 

 Dioncea, for the insect is not tightly boxed 

 in, nor does the plant forthwith proceed to 

 devour and digest its victim. There is a way 

 of escape between the two petals and the face 

 of the column, but the insect can scarcely 

 fail to carry away the pollen-masses in 

 making its exit, and there can be little 

 doubt that on visiting a second flower it 

 comes in contact with the stigma, and thus 

 fertilization is effected. 



"This is not all. The plant regularly goes to 

 sleep at night — that is to say, it closes up 

 tight — but positively refuses to sleep in the 

 daytime ; for two hours in a dark cellar are 

 reported to have made no impression on it. 

 The slightest touch with a hair on the sensi- 

 tive cushion causes the lip to close suddenly, 

 but after a short time it gradually opens again. 

 Another remarkable point about the plant is 

 that the peduncles are completelj' covered 

 with greenish-yellow moss-like bristles, which 

 have been well compared to those of the Moss 

 Rose. There is no climbing up some other 

 way. Ants have been observed to make the 

 attempt, but eventually had to give it up in 

 disgust. It is supposed that this is the 

 particular use of these bristles to keep away 

 robber-insects. Those who would pay their 

 respects must come in a legitimate way, and 

 alight on the flower itself. Quite a little 

 chapter of romance ; but one would suspect 

 that the insect goes away with rather mixed 

 feelings after its first visit." 



Orchis. From orchis, testiculate ; referring to 

 the two oblong, bulb-like roots of many of the 

 species. Nat. Ord. OrchidacetB. 



A dwarf genus of terrestrial Orchias, 

 mostly unpretending, yet beautiful little 

 plants. They are common in England and 

 throughout most of Europe, O. mascicla and 

 O. macidata, being among the most beautiful 

 and interesting plants of the British woods. 

 With the exception of a few species, they are 

 perfectly hardy, and can be grown in the out- 

 side border, or in pots, forced like the Hya- 

 cinth. They do not like being moved from 

 their native homes, but are easily produced 

 from seed, which, if sown in a frame of light, 

 turfy loam, will make flowering plants in three 

 years. 0. spectabilis (Showy Orchis), is com- 

 mon in rich woods throughout the Northern, 

 Eastern and "Western States. This species 

 does well under cultivation. Propagated by 

 division. 



Orchis. Bee. Ophnji* apifera. 

 Cuckoo. OrchiM mascnla. 



OBI 



Fly. Ophrys muscifera. 



Marsh. Orchis latifolia. 



Military. Orchis militaris. 



"White Fringed. Habenaria blephariglottis. 



Yellow Fringed. Habenaria ciliaris. 



Ordeal Bean of Old Calabar. See Physoa- 

 tigma. 



Ordeal Tree. See Tanghinia. 



Oreoco'me Candollei. A very striking and 

 effective decorative plant belonging to the 

 Nat. Ord. UmbelUferce. 



It makes a fine pjTamid, five feet high, fur- 

 nished with large leaves that are as finely 

 divided as those of a Todea, spread out hori- 

 zontally, and recurve gracefully. 



They are of fresh green color, and the 

 flowers which rise well above the foliage, are 

 pure white. It is quite hardy and is an excel- 

 lent plant for margins of shrubberies or for 

 planting singly on a lawn. 



Oreoda'phne. From oreos, a mountain, and 

 Daphne, Mountain Daphne. Nat. Ord. Lau- 

 racecB. 



A genus of hardy evergreen trees, confined 

 mostly to the Pacific Coast. O. Califomica (syn. 

 Umbellularia) is a common tree in the moun- 

 tainous parts of California, where it goes by a 

 variety of names, such as Mountain Laurel, 

 Spice-bush, Balm of Heaven, Sassafras Laurel, 

 Cajeput-tree, California Laurel, etc. In some 

 parts it attains a height of fifty to one hun- 

 dred feet, but in the southern districts it is 

 seldom more than fifteen or twenty feet high. 

 "When bruised it emits a strong spicy odor 

 which is apt to excite sneezing ; the natives 

 use the leaves as a condiment. This species 

 was introduced by Mr. Douglas in 1862. Syn. 

 Ocotea. 



Oreodo'xa. From orcos, a mountain, and dooM, 

 glory ; alluding to the lofty stature of some of 

 the species. Nat. Ord. PalmacecE. 



A small genus of very tall-growing and 

 handsome Palms, inhabiting the "West Indies 

 and tropical America. Some of the species 

 are among the most graceful of palms. O. 

 regia, the Royal Palm, is a favorite cultivated 

 species, and is largely used in the decoration 

 of rooms. O. oleracea, the "West Indian Cab- 

 bage Palm, sometimes attains a height of 

 one hundred and seventy feet, with a very 

 small trunk, perfectly straight and cylindrical. 

 The heart of the young leaves is cooked like 

 Cabbage, and the pith affords Sago. Oil in 

 considerable quantities is obtained from the 

 fruit. Young plants are obtained from seed. 



Oreo'panax. From oreos, a mountain, and 

 Panax, alluding to the relationship of the 

 plants to Panax, and their natural habitats. 

 Nat. Ord. AraliacecB. 



A genus of comparativoly late introduction 

 comprising certain tropical American trees 

 and shrubs, closely allied to Hedera. Sixty- 

 four species have been described, but only a 

 few are in cultivation. They form very 

 ornamental green-house plants, and are propa- 

 gated by cuttings of the young shoots. 



Organ. A general name for any defined sub- 

 ordinate part of the vegetable structure, ex- 

 ternal or internal ; as cell, fibre, leaf, root, etc. 



Oricola. See Primula. 



Ori'ganum. Marjoram. From ores, a moun- 

 tain, and ganos, joy ; referring to the natural 

 places of growth. Nat. Ord. LabiatoB. 



