CHAPTER X. 



CULTURE OF TERRESTRIAL ORCHIDS. 



THERE are comparatively few representatives of 

 this numerous class cultivated in our hot-houses. 

 As a general rule the flowers are by no means as showy 

 as those of epiphytes, though no less curious. 



Terrestrial Orchids are more generally natives of the 

 more temperate climates, and our own woods and swamps 

 furnish some very beautiful species ; among these we may 

 mention Cypripedium acaule, the pretty Lady's Slipper so 

 common in pine woods ; the rarer and more beautiful 

 yellow species (C. parviflorutri), the magnificent Cypripe- 

 dium spectabile, one of our finest wild flowers, and the 

 rare and curious Ramshead (C. arietinum}. The wet 

 meadows give us Arethusa bulbosa, a gem of a flower, and 

 the kindred Adder's Tongue (Pogonia ophioglossoides), and 

 the high colored and fragrant Cymbidium or Calopogon 

 (C. pulchelluni). And in the woods we may find the curi- 

 ous flowers of the Coralwort (Corallorhiza odontorhiza), 

 and the beautifully variegated Goodyeras. The sunny 

 fields will also give the species of Ladies Tresses (Neot- 

 taa or Spiranthes}, while all through marshy woods and 

 open meadows we find the beautiful representatives of 

 the Orchis family. 



Most of these may, with careful culture, become in- 

 habitants of our gardens, and many of them are grown 

 and treasured in England and on the continent as rare 

 Orchids. 



