8 INTRODUCTION. 



but, from the colour of its flowers (green), is not 

 a favorite. 



Aceras. A small genus, very difficult to ma- 

 nage : there are but two species — the one, anthro- 

 popliora {green man), is widely disseminated, 

 being present in most places favorable to its 

 growth throughout Europe : the other secuncVifiora 

 has violet-coloured flowers, and is found only in 

 the south of Europe. 



Cijpr'ipedium. — Calceolus is the only member 

 of this genus that can be considered as belonging 

 to this section of the work; it is a native of 

 Britain, and for singularity in form, and richness 

 in colouring, may vie with the best ; yet, not- 

 withstanding these inducements to its culture, it 

 is extremely scarce, seldom indeed being seen 

 under cultivation in aught but an enervated or 

 perhaps starving condition. 



Platantkera. This genus possesses only one 

 European sYtecies, hijolia (two-leaved,) an inhabi- 

 tant of British woods : this is the common 

 butterfly orchis ; the flowers are white, and very 

 interesting ; the genus is composed of this and 

 two other species, but they are natives of Canada. 



Having thus briefly glanced at the leading 

 genera of the European division of these plants, 

 without pretending to any analysis of them, 

 I may remark they have hitherto been found 

 difficult to preserve in anything like their natural 



