SERUCTORE AND PECULIARITIES. 19 
duration, but in the majority they remain on the plant for 
an indefinite period. 
Although infinitely more abundant in some regions than 
in others, Orchids are found in almost all parts of the 
world, except upon the verge of the frozen zone and in 
climates of excessive dryness. ‘‘In Europe, Asia, and 
North America,’ says Mr. Moore, “they grow everywhere 
—in groves, marshes, and meadows; at the Cape of Good 
Hope they abound in similar situations; but in the hot, 
damp parts of the West and East Indies, in Madagascar 
and the neighbouring islands, in the damp and humid 
forests of Brazil, in the warm, mild parts of Central 
America and Western Mexico, in the damp, tropical parts 
of India, and in the lower mountains of Nepal, they flourish 
in the greatest variety and profusion, not only seeking 
their nutriment from the soil, but clinging to the trunks 
and limbs of trees, to stones and bare rocks, where they 
vegetate among ferns and other shade-loving plants in 
countless thousands.” The Orchids of temperate Australia 
and New Zealand are chiefly terrestrial, as are those of 
other temperate regions. They have fibrous roots, and 
often large fleshy tubers. Those of warmer countries are 
mainly epiphytes, not parasites, as they are often mis- 
called. A parasitic plant obtains its nourishment from the 
tree or plant upon which it grows, as is the case with the 
mistletoe; but an epiphyte merely uses the branch as a 
support or resting-place, gaining its food from the atmo- 
sphere which surrounds it. 
Although small-flowered, and somewhat inconspicuous in 
stature, the species of Orchids which are wild in England 
are both pretty and interesting. Differing altogether from 
the Peruvian and Mexican beauties with which we are 
more especially concerned, they exemplify almost as 
thoroughly the extraordinary variety in form and colour for 
Ee 2 
