CHAPTER V 



ORCHIDS 



F the reader so loves the wild flowers 



that he has accompanied us thus far, 



and has patience to push on with us 



along the streams, over the hills, and 



through the woods, sooner or later we 



will come upon a treasure new and rare, a 



tall and stately flower, aloof and haughty, 



and we will instinctively know that we are 



in the presence of the flower of flowers, the 



Orchid. 



We will not gather it, for we are not loot- 

 ing the forest of its richest treasures; hut 

 we will enjoy it and study it where it grows, 

 and perhaps we will bring one or two friends 

 who will do homage also. 



But before we examine our prize as to its 

 construction and habits, its peculiarities, and 



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