FLOWEBS. 43 
rently lifeless, adhering by their tough fibrous roots © 
to the bark ; but no sooner do the clouds of the rainy 
season empty their life-giving virtues upon the earth, 
than they send out their leaves in thick tufts, which, 
being often long and grass-like, have a graceful ap- 
pearance. After these have arrived at their full 
perfection, the flower-stems shoot forth, and are some- 
times several feet in length, loaded with a profusion 
of gay flowers, frequently very large, and of almost 
every imaginable shape and color. Some of them 
bear a close resemblance to living objects. Thus, in 
the Butterfly Orchis, the likeness is so striking, that 
one unacquainted with the plant would suppose that 
a large yellow butterfly had chanced to light upon it. 
Orchises are divided into two kinds, terrestrials 
or such as grow upon the ground, and Epiphytes, or 
those which hang from the trees. Many very beau- 
tiful terrestrial Orchids are to be found in our own 
woods and meadows. But the most curious and re- 
markable species are exotics, and require peculiar 
treatment to make them flower. ‘The roots are tied 
to a rough stick of wood, with the bark upon it, and 
are suspended from the roof of the green-house; 
others are planted in pots filled with stones and rotten 
wood. The air in the house being kept constantly 
moist, the plants thrive and produce their blossoms 
in great perfection. 
Another very attractive and showy species of plants 
is the Bignonia, or Trumpet-Flower; of this, many 
varieties abound in the same localities as the Orchids, 
and may often be seen weaving a tangled web with 
