SPOTTED OECHIS. 



Orchis macitlata. Nat. Ord., Orchidacece. 



MONGST the numerous species 

 of orchis that spring up each 

 recurring year in our pastures, 

 few are more commonly to be 

 found than the subject of our 

 figure. Many of the orchis 

 family have a certain bizarre 

 aspect that makes them quaintly 

 attractive as we may see, for 

 example, in the bee orchis, or 

 the butterfly orchis, both figured 

 in this volume ; but the spotted 

 orchis exhibits no such mimicry 

 of other natural forms, but rests 

 its claim on our admiration on 

 its delicate tint and picturesque , 

 mottling and striping. Many t 

 of the names, we may say in 

 passing that are bestowed upon 



some of the species of orchis are rather far-fetched; 

 and though we can remember the delight with which 

 we welcomed the afore-named bee orchis, our disappoint- 

 ment was perhaps equally great when we first saw the 

 butterfly orchis. The form, quaint as it is, suggests 

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