WILD-PINES. 43 



were Orchideous, but the chief belonged to the same 

 family as the pine-apple, the resemblance to which 

 has been recognised in the appellation provincially 

 conferred upon them, Wild-pines. They are found 

 in all situations, on the tops of the mountains, in the 

 plains, by the sea side, in the depths of the forest, 

 in the open pasture ; and on all sorts of trees, scarcely 

 a tree being without some, large ones often carrying 

 hundreds ; nor do the}^ seem to attach themselves, 

 as far as I can discern, to dying or diseased trees, 

 more than to such as are in perfect health. One 

 species, called Old-raan's-beard {Tillandsia usneoides), 

 is very small and slender, but forms great matted 

 bunches, with wiry stems, which often hang down like 

 tufts of ragged hair. Others are highly ornamental. 

 One, rather common, has a swollen base, much like 

 the bulb of a lily (hence called Tillandsia hulhosa) ; 

 and narrow, almost cylindrical, pointed leaves, of 

 which those near the blossom are often crimson. 

 A spike of flowers lengthened in form, and of crimson 

 and purple hues, with singularly sheathing bracts, 

 and projecting purple stamens, makes this a beautiful 

 plant in the blossoming season. Another still more 

 abundant kind, a species of Vriesia, throws out a 

 long branching spike, of crimson and j^ellow flowers, 

 imbricated or sheathed in a singularly compact man- 

 ner. In the mountain-woods a crimson and purple 

 species of JEchmea is very gorgeous ; but the most 

 imposing of all is the noble Tillandsia lingulata ; 

 the leaves of which are long, and shaped like those 

 of the pine-apple, widened and, as usual, sheathing 

 each other at their bases, and throwing out in July 



