THE WONDERS OF VEGETATION. 217 



er of their beauty is fully felt even by the savage na- 

 tives. 



Another feature peculiar to these flowers, and not 

 less remarkable is, that like the country in which they 

 grow, they do not distinguish the difference between 

 the seasons and obey no regular law in their flowering. 

 They bloom apparently capriciously, and consequently 

 their flowers are seen and their perfume felt all the 

 year through. Besides, their bloom lasts two or three 

 times as long as that of ordinary flowers. The posses- 

 sor of a collection of orchids is thus certain to have some 

 plants in bloom all the year round. Of course they 

 have to be kept in a green-house, the heat of which 

 is uniform throughout the year, and even besides this 

 they call for unremitting, intelligent, and minute care 

 in a greater degree than most plants. 



The orchid which our illustration represents is an 

 acinctum, a plant recently introduced into France, 

 and very rare even in the most richly-furnished hot- 

 houses. The floral stem grows downwards, like that 

 of the stanhopsea and others ; the plant lives as a par- 

 asite upon trees and its flowers hang in low garlands 

 down the trunk. 



These plants are still so rare in Europe, and with us, 

 that wealthy collectors have been known to pay fabu- 

 lous prices for certain varieties. It is needless to 

 state that these enthusiastic purchasers are mostly Eng- 

 lishmen. Perhaps the most notable among them was 

 the Duke of Devonshire, who some years ago, when 

 visiting the collection of Mr. Henderson, was greatly 

 struck with the beauty of one of his orchids. The duke 



