30 ORCHIDS. 



usually they are sheathing at the base, and membranous ; 

 but in some species they are hard stalked, articulated 

 with the stem, and have no trace of a sheath. Frequently 

 they are leathery and veinless; as frequently they are 

 membranous and strongly ribbed, and both these condi- 

 tions may occur in the same genus, as in Cypripedium. 



The peculiarities of the floral leaves and organs will 

 more properly be noticed in treating of the classification 

 of Orchids ; suffice it to say that the flowers are constructed 

 irregularly upon the ternary type, and consist of three ex- 

 terior and three interior pieces, of which the exterior are 

 usually nearly equal, and less brightly colored than the 

 interior. 



On account of the peculiarities of growth and structure, 

 so unlike other plants, it was many years before any of 

 these plants were successfully cultivated in England. A 

 few were barely kept alive, but never flowered satisfac- 

 torily, and their successful culture was considered impos- 

 sible. Within the last forty years, however, their true 

 nature has been understood, until at the present day they 

 are cultivated with success, and bloom with a luxuriance 

 equal to that of their native haunts. To promote this 

 culture, and to call attention to the more remarkably 

 beautiful species and varieties, is the object of this 

 volume. 



