GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 



PART I. — EUROPE. 



In the following brief summary of the distri- 

 bution of Orchidete in the several quarters of the 

 world I have confined myself to the bare mention 

 of the most important habitats, giving only a 

 rough sketch of their ordinary physical character, 

 so far as it affects the growth of the plants under 

 consideration, deeming it unnecessary to enter 

 upon detail here, as the native station will be 

 found attached to each plant contained in the 

 selected list at the end of the work. 



In Europe the distribution of these plants is 

 very limited, the character of the climate, re- 

 ceding from the temperate to the frigid zone, 

 prevents the spread of more than the little ter- 

 restrial kinds which are indigenous, and these 

 undoubtedly owe their existence to the curious 

 and admirably adapted magazine of vital power 

 which they possess, provided them by nature 

 in the form of fleshy tuberous roots, into which 

 the energy of the plant seems to retire as it were 

 to a citadel to await and repel the attack of 

 W'inter. 



They affect, for the most part, situations shel- 

 tered from cold wdnds and the mid-day sun, such 

 as is usually found on the south-eastern side of 

 woods and pastures, generally preferring a cal- 



