138 Commencement and Progress of Orchid Culture . 



ble, as the orchid-growing countries have as yet been imperfectly explored ; 

 and, when in this connection we consider the peculiar local habits of most 

 orchids, we may reasonably look for large and rich additions to our orchid 

 flora. 



It must not be supposed that all of these many species are equally 

 beautiful. While we have many, which for singularity of form, richness of 

 color, and exquisite fragrance, excel all productions of the floral kingdom, 

 there are hundreds which are attractive only to the botanist, and of which 

 the flowers are insignificant ; but all are curious and interesting. 



We have said, that, in the general distribution of orchidaceous plants, 

 those of North America (excepting always Mexico and the Isihmus) are 

 wholly terrestrial. There is, however, one epiphyte met with in the ex- 

 treme Southern States, where a variety of Epidendrum {E. conopseujn) is 

 found upon the Magnolia glauca. 



There is one cause which does much to retard orchid culture : the cost 

 of the plants is so great, and the expense of culture in our climate so con- 

 siderable, that it must always be confined to the rich. Indeed, at the pres- 

 ent time, there are very few choice collections in the United States. We 

 trust, however, to be able to show that the cost of culture may be much 

 reduced ; and every year the plants are becoming more plentiful, and con- 

 sequently cheaper. 



Among those who have done much for orchid culture may be mentioned 

 Pescatore, whose hot-houses at St. Cloud contain one of the richest col- 

 lections in Europe, and whose magnificent plants have been illustrated by 

 the work on orchids (bearing his name), by Linden, which enriches some 

 of our horticultural and private libraries. 



In England, the sale collections of Messrs. Low of Clapton, of Messrs. 

 Veitch of Exeter, and Rollinson of Tooting, are most extensive. 



The orchids of Mexico, the Isthmus, of Colombia, and Brazil, have been 

 chiefly brought into cultivation by the French ; while we owe most of the 

 choice productions of the East Indies to the enterprise of English col- 

 lectors. 



The horticultural world owes a debt of gratitude to the enterprise of 

 M. Pinel of Rio Janeiro, and of M. Porte of Bahia, through whom many 



