IN THE PRIMEVAL FOREST 213 



known to be about twenty-two species of native, 

 epiphytal orchids, but most of them have little 

 claim to beauty ; a few only are really ornamental. 

 One of these (Cyrtopodium punctatum) is so re- 

 markable that it deserves especial notice. It 

 grows on trees in the littoral, or in the high ham- 

 mock, though it favors the former. The roots of 

 most epiphytal orchids cling to the bark of the 

 tree on which they grow, often following along 

 the crevices in the bark and probably rinding a 

 little plant food in them. Those of the Cyrto- 

 podium attach themselves to the bark and then 

 suddenly turn upward and outward after the 

 manner of the ex-Kaiser's mustache. Thus they 

 form a sort of basket to catch every leaf, dead 

 twig, insect, and whatever else may happen along. 

 When these decay they fertilize the plant. Some 

 of these orchids become very large, having dozens 

 of stout, fusiform stems or pseudo bulbs, bearing 

 broad, attractive leaves, and the "basket" may 

 hold a bushel. The flower stems, bracts, and 

 rather large blossoms are greenish yellow, blotched, 

 and irregularly striped with brown. When the 

 hundreds of blossoms open it is a splendid sight. 

 Several other species of orchids perch on the trees 



