190 ABOUT ORCHIDS. 
centipedes have been known to harbour in the 
close roots of D. Falconeru ; stinging ants are by 
no means improbable, nor huge spiders; while 
cockroaches of giant size, which should be killed, 
may be looked for with certainty. But men learn 
a habit of caution by experience of cargoes much 
more perilous. In those masses of Arundina 
bambusefolia beneath the table yonder doubt- 
less there are centipedes lurking, perhaps even 
scorpions, which have escaped the first inspection. 
Happily, these pests are dull, half-stupefied with 
the cold, when discovered, and no man here has 
been stung, circumspect as they are; but ants 
arrive as alert and as vicious as in their native. 
realm. Distinctly they are no joke. To handle 
a consignment of Lpzdendrum bicornutum demands 
some nerve. A very ugly species loves its hollow 
bulbs, which, when disturbed, shoots out with 
lightning swiftness and nips the arm or hand so 
quickly that it can seldom be avoided. But the 
most awkward cases to deal with are those which 
contain Schomburghkia tbicints. This superb 
orchid is so difficult to bloom that very few will 
attempt it; I have seen its flower but twice. 
Packers strongly approve the reluctance of the 
public to buy, since it restricts importation. The 
foreman has been laid up again andagain. But they 
