24 TlMEHRI. 



the open when the surrounding atmosphere is damp, and 

 virtually do without shading altogether, especially those 

 that store food against a drought in great pseudo-bulbs. 

 On the sand-reef we have the perfection of food storage 

 in the Cyrtopodiums, which have pseudo-bulbs over a 

 yard in height. No matter that the sand is burning hot 

 underfoot during the day, it cools very quickly after 

 sunset, and is then overhung by a mist from which the 

 orchids can easily gather moisture. Even in the swamp 

 'he beautiful Cleistes rosea, almost as large and quite as 

 beautiful as some of the Cattleyas, grows to perfe6lion, 

 with several Habenarias and other less showy species. 



However, as we said before, orchids are not easily 

 found, nor when seen, procurable without difficulty. Not 

 to mention the impossibility of climbing one of the forest 

 giants to procure Oncidium Lanceanum, or a tall Eta for 

 Catasetum longifolium, there are difficulties in colle6ling 

 those within reach. Many provide shelter for garrisons 

 of ferocious ants which come out in myriads as the plant 

 is touched. Sometimes they are so interlaced with bush- 

 ropes that they can only be procured by chopping above 

 and beneath while enduring the attacks of their gallant 

 defenders. We cannot but admire the way these little 

 creatures run along the blade of our cutlass and up our 

 sleeves, although their painful bites are anything but 

 agreeable. Sometimes scorpions, centipedes and taran- 

 tulas are hidden in their masses of aerial roots, and these 

 are of course more disagreeable, although, unlike the ants, 

 they never advance to attack their disturbers. Even 

 snakes (generally harmless species) will startle the col- 

 lector by dropping into his bateau. 



To be continued. • 



