90 THE ORCHID FAMILY. 



erect ; somewhat obovate, and uneven on its edges. Column : incurved. Ca/)- 

 snles: erect. Leaves : two only ; oval ; mostly obtuse at the apices and sheath- 

 ing the scape at their bases ; entire ; thin, shiny, /^oot : a bulb. 



Among many forms of growth which had gained a footing in earth-filled 



niches of high, towering rocks, through the rugged wilds of western North 



Carolina, I found at the base of an old tree this interesting one of the 



orchids. Its raceme of graceful flowers had then faded and its thin leaves 



had turned from their usual tint of pale apple-green to a shade of yellow, 



quite in harmony with the young capsules. A few of these latter had already 



opened and were dispersing their powdery seeds. Earlier in the season, even 



while the bloom is in the prime of its beauty, I have sometimes noticed that 



these leaves show tints of vermillion and orange. 



GREEN ADDER'S MOUTH. 



AcJwodnthes iinifblia. 



Floivey-s : small ; growing on thread-like pedicels in a terminal raceme from one 

 to three inches long. Sepals: oblong ; spreading. Petals: thread-like, shorter 

 than the sepals. Lip: broad ; three toothed. Leaves : broadly ovate, or ap- 

 proaching orbicular ; bluntly pointed at the apex; entire ; thin ; smooth, clasping 

 the stem near the middle. Stem : four to ten inches high ; smooth. 



That orchids are not always beautiful is well exemplified by this rather 

 poor looking plant which contributes but little to the beauty of the woods and 

 thickets where it grows. As we know, however, many such are of botanical 

 interest as showing various forms of structure and making comparisons 

 possible between the high and lowly of the same family. 



CALOPOQON, GRASS PINK. 



Lt?noddriim tuber osiim. 



Flowers : large ; showy ; a few growing loosely in a spike at the end of a slender 

 scape twelve inches to two feet high, and being subtended by minute, pointed 

 bracts. Sepals and lateral petals somewhat similar ; spreading ; ovate-lanceolate. 

 Owing to the fact that the ovary is not twisted, the lip which is raised by a narrow 

 stalk remains on the upper side of the flower. It is triangular or broadly obcor- 

 date, and beautifully crested with rose-coloured, orange and white hairs. Leaves : 

 linear-oblanceolate ; pointed at the apex and sheathed near the base of the scape 

 which near the base bears several scales. Root: a small bulb. 



This one of our orchids with its beautiful and eccentric air usually grows 

 in swampy ground, or peat bogs and has often for its companion the pretty 



