the Animal Kingdom. Distinct, too, in floral structure from other 

 plants, there is yet what Mr. Dresser would term a " unity in 

 variety," so patent that any novice recognises an Orchid at a 

 glance. These characters first brought the plants under the 

 notice of the learned and wealthy, bxit another important quality 

 gained for them a second set of admirers. Many of the species 

 are useful garden plants, flowering profusely, bright and varied in 

 colours, and lasting, in some cases, for months indeed, longer 

 than any other known flowers. 



When these facts are considered, it is not surprising that 

 Orchids have become of vast pecuniary importance, one of the 

 chief departments of the horticultural trade in regard to orna- 

 mental plants being that occupied in their culture and distribu- 

 tion. Hitherto, it is true, Orchids have been chiefly confined to 

 the gardens of the wealthy ; but they are now finding their way 

 into those of the middle classes, and it is by no means uncommon 

 to see in suburban gardens the one house the occupier can afford 

 devoted to " cool orchids." These are rapidly advancing in 

 popularity, and as their prices become moderate the increase will 

 be still greater. Even now, plants may be purchased for a few 

 shillings which ten years ago would have cost as many pounds ; 

 but the downward tendency in large prices will be amply com- 

 pensated for by the extended sale of cheaper plants. People 

 begin to understand that Orchids are easily grown, so easily, in 

 fact, that any ordinarily intelligent person can grow them satis- 

 factorily ; and this removal of a long-prevalent erroneous impres- 

 sion respecting the difficulties attending their cultivation has 

 contributed, in a great measure, to the increase of their admirers. 

 When first attracting attention, innumerable plants were killed 

 by excessive heat and insufficient moisture, but under the direc- 

 tion of such experienced growers as Mr. B. S. Williams (who has 

 given the pith of Orchid Culture in his valuable " Manual "), 

 methods have been so simplified that none need hesitate now to 

 undertake the culture of the majority of Orchids, including all the 

 most useful species. 



| The following brief review of the Orchid family is intended to 

 convey some idea of the peculiarities and recommendations 

 possessed by these remarkable plants, dealing first with their 

 structure, then with the history of their advance in this country, 

 noting those who have given most prominent assistance in the 

 work, and finally with an outline of their culture. [ Amateurs, or 

 others whose knowledge of the plants is rudimentary, may possibly 

 be induced to take still farther interest in one of the most extra- 

 ordinary forms of vegetation of the present period, and the 

 pleasure of contemplating such beautiful flowers can only be 

 increased by understanding something of their structure. 



Where fuller information is required, it can be gained by con- 



