BRIT SH AND OTHER HARDY ORCHIDS. 533 
soil, in a slightly shaded position. It is one of the 
commonest of field Orchids, and may be easily transferred 
to the garden. 
0. pyramidalis.—One of the prettiest when seen in the 
mass, its compact spikes of bright rosy flowers being very 
effective. It is common in Britain in pastures, flowering 
in midsummer. It is easy to cultivate if planted in an 
open loamy soil with a little chalk added. The tubers 
should be planted about 3in. apart, and in the mass to 
produce a fine effect. 
0. spectabilis is a showy species from North America, 
with oblong, green leaves, and stems about rft. high, 
bearing pink-purple flowers, with an ovate, undivided lip. 
It grows in a mixture of peat and leaf-mould, in a moist, 
shaded position, flowering in May. 
Other pretty species are 0. Munbyana, 0. papilionacea, 
QO. purpurea, 0. Robertiana, and 0. sambucina. 
Serapias. 
There are four species of Serapias, natives of the countries 
bordering the Mediterranean, where they occur in pine 
woods, &c. They are like Orchis in habit, but the flowers 
differ in having the three upper sepals united and forming 
a hood, out of which the labellum hangs, tongue-like, and 
is the most conspicuous part of the flower. The petals 
are small, and are inclosed in the hood formed by the 
sepals. Two of the species merit a place in the garden, 
their flowers being large and attractive. 
Cultwre.—Both species flower about May. They should 
be planted in a well-drained bed, or in pots, in a light 
loam, and be kept wet whilst in growth, and dry when 
at rest. 
