230 ABOUT ORCHIDS. 
returning, intercrossing from age to age? It is 
admitted that Cypripedium represents a primeval 
form—perhaps zhe primeval form—of orchid. 
Suppose that we behold, in this nineteenth cen- 
tury, a mere epoch, or stage, in the ceaseless 
evolution? Only an irresponsible amateur could 
dare talk in this way. It would, in truth, be very 
futile speculation if experiments already successful 
did not offer a chance of proof one day, and others, 
hourly ripening, did not summon us to think. 
I may cite, with the utmost brevity, two or 
three facts which—to me unscientific—appear in- 
explicable, unless species of orchid were developed 
on the spot ; or the theory of special local creations 
be admitted. Oncidium cucullatum flourishes in 
certain limited areas of Peru, of Ecuador, of 
Colombia, and of Venezuela. It is not found in 
the enormous spaces between, nor are any Onci- 
diums which might be accepted as its immediate 
parents. Can we suppose that the winds or the 
birds carried it over mountain ranges and broad 
rivers more than two thousand miles, in four several 
directions, to establish it upon a narrow tract? It 
is a question of faith; but, for my own part, I could 
as soon believe that «sthetic emigrants took it with 
them. But even winds and birds could not bear 
the seed of Dendrobium heterocarpum from Ceylon 
