ORCHIDS 



As a class, Orchids are the most refined in texture, the most dainty 

 in colouring, the most remarkable in structure of all cultivated 

 plants. They include some of the largest and some of the smallest, 

 some of the most richly coloured and some of the most delicately 

 marked, some of the sweetest, and some of the most fantastic of 

 flowers. Small wonder, in these circumstances, that they are full 

 of interest, and that they have a very large circle of admirers. 



Most of the Orchids are exotic, but there are a few British 

 species, notably Orchises latifolia (Marsh Orchid), maculata, and 

 mascula; and Ophrys apifera (Bee Orchis), aranifera (Spider 

 Orchis), and muscifera (Fly Orchis) ; and the pretty " Lady's 

 Slipper," Cypripedium Calceolus. Some of these grow in cool, 

 moist places, but the majority in shady spots on chalky uplands. 

 These British species are cultivated occasionally, but as a rule they 

 are not regarded with so much interest by the gardener as by the 

 botanical student, who loves to come upon them in his rambles, 

 even though he may have discovered them many times before. 



In view of the immense number of different kinds of Orchids, 

 we can do no more in this chapter than give a general sketch of 

 the class, and of its cultural requirements, referring those who 

 want to make a close study of it to standard works, such as 

 Orchids, their Culture and Management, by William Watson ; 

 The Book of Orchids, by W. H. White ; and the Orchid Guide, by 

 F. Sander. Also to exhibitions of Orchids, such as those of the 

 Royal Horticultural Society, the dates of whose shows can be got 

 from the Horticultural Hall, Vincent Square, Westminster; and 

 to the larger Botanic Gardens, like Kew. 



282 



