INTRODUCTION. 5 



In this place, of course, rules respecting the growth and 

 rest of Orchids can only be stated in general terms, the 

 treatment in detail being given with the description of each 

 particular genus. Then, again, there are certain species which 

 are never entii'ely inactive throughout the whole year, amongst 

 which may be named some of the Odontoghssums, Masde- 

 vallias, and many others beside, whose home is in the Peru- 

 vian Andes and other high mountain districts. 



It is often thought that as Orchidaceous plants are so 

 extremely tenacious of life, the fact of their dying can only 

 be the result of carelessness in their management ; but it 

 should be borne in mind that we have under the same roof 

 plants from many different countries, whose natural habitats 

 must vary immensely in all respects. Now, if a little thought 

 is only bestowed upon this fact, it should rather be a matter of 

 surprise how so many plants are successfully managed, than 

 how many are lost. 



Epiphytal Orchids are found in tropical countries growing 

 on the low grounds or plains, and are also met with as we 

 ascend the mountains up to an elevation of 14,000 feet above 

 the level of the sea. At this altitude, in New Grenada, 

 Oneidium nuhigenum flourishes. This is, I think, the greatest 

 altitude at which these plants are recorded to have been found. 

 Odontoglossum Alexandres and 0. Bluntii occur at from 7,000 

 to 8,000 feet elevation, as does 0. luteo-purpureum and its 

 varieties, Masdevallias, Restrepias, and many others from Peru 

 and New Grenada. At such elevations, as a matter of course, 

 these plants are naturally subjected to a low temperature, 

 an abundant supply of water, and a very moist atmosphere 

 throughout the year, and consequently they cannot withstand 

 a resting season or period of drought under cultivation ; whilst, 

 if we turn to the Eastern Continent, we find such plants as 

 Dendrobium infundihulum, D. chrysotoxum, D. Farmeri, Aerides 



