Nature and Habits of Orchids. 9 1 



rocks or in earth (though, in both cases, the position is rather for support 

 than one of nourishment), and terrestrial orchids abound in hot coun- 

 tries. 



The pecuUar characteristics of orchidaceous plants will be fully described 

 in a future chapter. Suffice it at present to say, that there is no order of 

 plants the structure of whose flowers is so anomalous as regards the rela- 

 tion borne to each other by the parts of reproduction, or so singular in 

 respect to the form of the floral envelopes. Orchidaceous plants inhabit all 

 parts of the world except those which are excessively dry or excessively 

 cold, both of which extremes of temperature appear uncongenial to their 

 nature. They abound chiefly in regions with a mild climate, moist and 

 warm during the greater part of the year. 



The flora of the temperate regions abounds in terrestrial orchids, which 

 are, however, with some exceptions, distinguished by flowers more remark- 

 able for peculiarity of form than for size, and brilliancy of color. It is, how- 

 ever, in the tropical forests that we meet with these plants in full luxuriance: 

 here the species are mostly epiphytal. Establishing themselves upon the 

 branches of the trees, they either vegetate amid masses of decaying vegeta- 

 ble matter, or cling by long succulent grasping roots to the naked branches 

 of trees, from which and the moist atmosphere they derive their nourish- 

 ment. 



They are also found abundantly on the banks of streams near falls of 

 water, where they are constantly bathed in the rising spray. Some few 

 species, indeed, seem of a different nature, growing mostly on rocks ex- 

 posed to a broiling sun, their roots alone absorbing the moisture of the 

 dew. 



In general, a certain degree of shade seems to be essential to orchids. 

 In Brazil, they are found abundantly in damp woods and rich valleys, em- 

 bowered among foliage of the most luxuriant description. In Nepaul, as 

 stated by Dr. Wallich, the epiphytal species grow in company with ferns ; 

 and the thicker the forest, the more stately the trees, the richer and blacker 

 the natural soil, the more profuse the orchidaceae and ferns upon them. 

 There they flourish by the sides of dripping springs, in deep, shady recesses, 

 in inconceivable quantity, and with an astonishing degree of luxuriance. 



