152 



HENDERSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS. 



OBA 



been given to this particular species, it is not 

 the only one upon which this insect feeds, for 

 in Mexico X. Tuna is even more largely grown 

 for the same purpose. Nopaleries is the name 

 given to plantations for rearing the Cochineal 

 Eond The male only is winged, and somewhat 

 resembles the Aphis, and the two are not very 

 distantly related to each other ; both feed in the 

 same way, drawing the juices of the plant through 

 a proboscis. It is the female, however, which 

 yields the highly-prized dye. A plantation will 

 sometimes contain from fifty to sixty thousand 

 plants. The plants are grown in rows, but are 

 not allowed to grow to their natural height for 

 convenience in handling. In the month of Au- 

 gust the female insects are placed on the plants, 

 and in about four months thereafter the first 

 crop is fit to be gathered, and another prepared 

 for, three being taken in the course of the year. 

 When fully grown the insects are brushed off 

 and dried in ovens, when they are ready for sale. 

 The value of this industry is such that the 

 Prickly Pear has been placed on the coat of arms 

 of the Mexican Republic. Though Mexico is the 

 native place of the Cochineal, it is now largely 

 grown in New Grenada and the Canary Islands, 

 and to a less extent in some parts of Southern 

 Europe and Africa. The annual produce 

 amounts to thousands of tons, the usual price 

 being about two thousand dollars per ton, which 

 gives us an idea pf the value of the industry. 

 There are many interesting facts connected with 

 the Coccus family, as regards both their natural 

 history and their commercial value, which we 

 must pass over, simply remarking that it is to a 

 member of this family that we are indebted for 

 some of the best shell and other lacs. It may 

 be said of them, as it cannot be said of most 

 insects, that they make some amends for the 

 injury they do to plants. Of our native species 

 of Prickly Pear, 0. vulgaris is the common 

 Prickly Pear of New York and some of the 

 Eastern States. It is very hardy and te- 

 nacious of life, growing among the rocks where 

 there is scarcely sufficient soil to cover the roots. 

 Its flowers are bright yellow, very handsome, 

 and produced freely. There are other Ameri- 

 can species which produce larger and even hand- 

 somer flowers than 0. vulgaris. The other mem- 

 bers of this order take precedence in the green- 

 house, on account of their rarity, and, in some 

 instances, more showy flowers. 

 Orache or Mountain Spinach. See Atriplex. 

 Orange. See Citrus. 



Orchis. From orchis, testiculate; referring to the 

 two oblong, bulb-like roots of many of the spe- 

 cies. Linn. Gynandria-^lcmofjynia. Nat. Ord. 

 OrchidacetK. 



A dwarf genus of terrestrial Orchids, mostly 

 unpretending, yet beautiful little plants. They 

 are common in England and throughout most 

 of Europe, 0. masvula and 0. macnluta being 

 among the most beautiful and interesting 

 plants of the British woods. With the excep- 

 tion of a few species, they are perfectly hardy, 

 and can be grown in the outside border, or in 

 pots, forced like the Hyacinth. They do not 

 like being moved from their native homes, but 

 are easily produced from seed, which, if sown 

 in a frame of light turfy loam, will make flower- 

 ing plants in three years. 0. spectabUis (Showy 

 Orchis) is common in rich woods throughout 

 the Northern, Eastern, and Western States. 

 This species does well under cultivation. Prop- 

 agated by division. 



ORN 



Oreodoxa. From oreos, a mountain, and doxa, 

 glory; alluding to the lofty stature of some of 

 the species. Linn. Moncecia-Monadelphia. Nat. 

 Ord. PahnacecK. 



A small genus of very tall-growing and hand- 

 some Palms, inhabiting the West Indies and 

 tropical America. Some of the species are among 

 the most graceful of Palms. 1). retjia, the 

 Royal Palm, is a favorite cultivated species, and 

 is largely used in the decoration of rooms. 

 0. oleracece, the West Indian Cabbage Palm, 

 sometimes attains a height of one hundred and 

 seventy feet, with a very small trunk, perfectly 

 straight and cylindrical. The heart of the young 

 leaves is cooked like Cabbage, and the pith af- 

 fords Sago. Oil in considerable quantities is 

 obtained from the fruit. Young plants are ob- 

 tained from seed. 



Oricola. See Primula, 



Origanum. Marjoram. From oros, a mountain, 

 and ganos, joy; referring to the natural places 

 of growth. Linn. Didynamia-Grymnospermia. Nat. 

 Ord. Lamiacece. 



A genus of hardy and half-hardy herbaceous 

 plants and shrubs, natives of Europe and North- 

 ern India. 0. vidgare, the Wild Marjoram, com- 

 mon throughout Europe, and naturalized in this 

 country, furnishes the Oil of Origanum, which 

 is an acrid stimulant. 0. onites and 0. majorana 

 are inchided in the Pot or Seasoning Herbs, un- 

 der the name of Marjoram. They are natives of 

 Sicily and Portugal respectively. There are a 

 few ornamental species sometimes grown as 

 house plants, the more common of which is 

 0. sipyleum, a native of the Lavant, and popular- 

 ly known as Hop Plant. It is of easy culture, 

 and is propagated by cuttings. 



Ormosia. Bead Tree. From ormos, a necklace; 

 in allusion to this use of the seeds. Linn. De- 

 candria-MoncHiynla. Nat. Ord. Fabacece. 



A small genus of ornamental tropical trees, 

 natives of Guiana and the West Indies. They 

 are all too large for introduction into the green- 

 house. drtsycarna is the West Indian Bead 

 Tree, or Necklace Tree, the seeds of which, like 

 those of 0. coccinea, a native of Guiana and Bra- 

 zil, are nearly round, beautifully polished, and 

 of a bright scarlet color, with a black spot at one 

 end, resembling beads, for which they are sub- 

 stituted, being made into bracelets, necklaces, 

 or mounted in silver for studs or buttons. The 

 seeds are picked up on the seacoast in various 

 places, at very great distances from where they 

 grow, having been carried by strong oceanic 

 currents. They are usually mixed in with small 

 shells, and sold as " Sea Beans," the common 

 error being that they are the fruit of some sea 

 plant. 



Ornithidium. From ornis, a bird, and eidos, like; 

 the upper lip of the stigma is beak-like. Linn. 

 Gynandria-Monandria. Nat. Ord. Orchidacea*. 



A small genus of curious little Orchids, but 

 not of sufficient beauty or interest to warrant 

 their introduction into the Orchid house. They 

 are regarded as weeds among air plants. 



Ornithogalum. Star of Bethlehem. From ornis, 

 a bird, and gala, milk. Linn.Hexandria-Mono- 

 gynia. Nat. Ord. L'diacece. 



A rather large genus of bulbous plants, the 

 species of which are natives of Southern Europe, 

 Western Asia, and the Cape of Good Hope. 

 Several of the species are hardy, and grow so 

 freely as to become a nuisance; this is particu- 

 larly so with 0. untbellntum, the pretty little Star 

 of Bethlehem, that has escaped in many places 



