ORDER ORCHIDE^E, OR ORCHIS TRIBE. 



Man-Orchis, the Lizard- Orchis, and the Lady's Slipper. Ic 



some foreign species there is an 

 equally strong resemblance to large 

 and splendid Butterflies and other 

 Insects ; one, again, reminds the 

 observer of a grinning monkey ; 

 whilst another resembles an opera- 

 dancer suspended by the head. 

 The accompanying figure represents 

 the Spider- Orchis, in which the 

 likeness to the body of that animal 

 is very striking. The Orchideee of 

 Europe grow on the ground, in 

 meadows, marshes, or woods ; and 

 they are justly considered as among 

 the most curious and beautiful 

 plants of its Flora. But it is in 

 tropical countries, in damp woods, 

 or on the sides of hills, in a serene 

 and equal climate, that they are 

 seen in all their beauty. " Seated 

 on the branches of living trees, or 

 resting among the decayed bark of 

 FIG. ^-SPIDER ORCHIS. f a u en trunks, or running over mossy 

 rocks, or hanging above the head of the admiring traveller, sus- 

 pended from the gigantic arm of some monarch of the forest, 

 they develop flowers of the gayest colours, and the most varied 

 forms, and often fill the woods at night with their mild and 

 delicate fragrance. For a long time such plants were thought 

 incapable of being made to submit to the care of the gardener ; 

 and Europeans remained almost ignorant of the most curious 

 tribe in the whole vegetable kingdom. But it has been dis- 

 covered of late years that, by care and perpverance, they may 

 be brought to as much perfection in a hot-house as they acquire 

 in their native woods ; and they now form the pride of the best 

 collections in England." It is chiefly in the almost impenetrable 



