62 FIRST STEPS IN GENERAL KNOWLEDGE. 



sembles a fly ; in another, a lady's slipper, and so 

 an, giving corresponding names to the different 

 species. You are fond of searching for some of 

 the common kinds of orchis in the woods and 

 marshy places where they grow ; but from these 

 poor little terrestrial plants you can scarcely form 

 an idea of the orchids of tropical countries ; where, 

 instead of being content with such a lowly situa- 

 tion, they take root among the branches of living 

 trees, or spring from the decaying bark of those 

 that have fallen, putting forth the most brilliant 

 and remarkable flowers, which, towards evening, 

 give out a delicious scent. I must contrive a 

 visit for you to some botanical garden where 

 orchids are reared ; and if you can bear for a few 

 minutes the hot damp atmosphere, which is arti- 

 ficially created for them to live in, you will be de- 

 lighted and amazed at the extraordinary shapes of 

 the flowers, and at the curious growth of the 

 plants, frequently parasitical, on little logs of 

 wood suspended from the roof of the hot-house." 



"What is the use of these curious plants?" 

 asked Henry. 



" In many, we see more beauty than use ; but 

 there are several which are applied to economical 



