compounds avaihiM 

 a brownish or yell.. 

 simple terminal ii 



[jtlicr instances it is almost indescribably transformed 

 (Stunhopea, (longora). 



In nearly all cases the labellum is provided with raised 

 lines, crests, and markings for guiding the insects. In 

 many genera the base is produced into a sac or spur, 

 which secretes honey, or whoso walls contain juices 

 which are sought by insects. In the curious Madagascar 

 Orchid, Anyrwcum seKqiiipedale, the spur attains the 

 ostonishing length of 10 or 11 inches (Fig. 15C4). 



'ITte habit of Orchid plants is almost as varied as that 

 of the flowers themselves. It is dependent upon the 

 mode of life of the plants, which, in this respect, may 

 be divided into three classes,— saprophytes, epiphytes, 

 and terrestrial Orchids. True parasites are not known 

 to occur in this family. 



The saprophi/tie Orchids are the most reduced forms, 

 devoid of chlorophyll, and depending for their carbon 

 food upon the organic matter of the humus in which 

 they grow. The subterranean stem or rhizome consists 

 of a much-knotted coral like mass which takes the place 

 of roots. In most species the rhizome has been found 



Hower. The s|..'c,. - ..i ^.i 

 reed-like stems w.ll rl..il;. i 

 the tropics they i.ft. n ('..in ■ 

 in height. Most ol iIh --|.i > i' 

 have luxuriant foliiigc, wlii.h i.~ ;i 

 Foliage Plants. -The Physur 

 Orchids distributed in tropical 

 Islands, with a few spe- 

 cies in Africa and North 

 America, are remarkable 

 for their b e i 

 variegated leaves (Phy 



leaves occur al; 

 some otner groups (Cy- 

 pripedium, Phalieijopsis, 

 and Oncidium). 



nistorical Sketch. - 

 Species of Orchids have 

 been known ti) Ijotnnist^ 



deiidruM frayrans from the 

 woods of Jamaica. One of 

 these flowered two years after 

 and was the first Orchid figured 

 in the "Botanical Magazine," 

 plate 152, as JB. coehleatum. 

 Phaius grand ifolitis had been 

 introduced iiinr- vcais before 

 and the ViM,ill:i !■ .-^ ,■, Km known 

 InEngli-li - .1 . '■ :.■..,,. ,. I„ 



1807 Jl:nl 

 ler's "l,n,-.i, -I. 



At first the 

 plants were little understood, 

 and many perished from irra- 

 tional treatment. But as more species were introduced 

 and their natural climatic conditions became better 

 known the plants were treated in accordance with their 

 requirements. 



