6 INTRODUCTION. 



careous soil, or otherwise, one rich in carbonic 

 matter. 



As the present treatise professes only the cul- 

 tivation of the exotic species, I content myself 

 with an enumeration of the principal indigenous 

 species, appending an outline of the treatment 

 likely to produce successful management. 



British Species. 



The genus Neottia is extensively distributed — 

 the majority of its species extending throughout 

 Europe ; others are found in the West Indies, in 

 Nepal, New Holland, and China, though only 

 two of them are strictly indigenous ; these are 

 spiralis and nidus avis (the birds' nest plant). 



The genus Listeria comprises only two species; 

 these are both natives of Britain, and are rather 

 inconspicuous. 



SpiraiitJies. This genus extends over nearly 

 the same latitudes that Neottia affects, and is 

 usually found growing under the same circum- 

 stances. JEstivalis (ladies' tresses) is the only 

 British species. 



Orchis. This is the most extensive genus in 

 a numerical consideration : of the whole family 

 inhabiting our temperate zone, the chief part are 

 found in England, luxuriating in marshy woods 



