Culture of Epiphytal OrcJiidecs. 137 



kept on the cover of the boiler, with a syringe ; and, two or three 

 times in the course of the day, according to the weather, the 

 plants are slightly moistened with this warm water. By this 

 mode of treatment, and by admitting very little air at this end of 

 the house, I have been enabled to flower a number of species. 

 Bicton Gardens^ Dec. 28. 1834. 



Art. VIII. Hints for the Cultivation of Epijihytal OrcMdece, derived 

 from Observations made during a Botanical Excursion through 

 Demerara, Trinidad^ and the Spanish Main. By Mr. John Hench- 

 man. 



Having read the account of the nature and habits of Or- 

 chideae (p. 1.), by their spirited and enthusiastic admirer, 

 J. Bateman, Esq., I am induced, with the design of furthering 

 a little the cultivation of these interesting plants, of which, at 

 present, we know so little, to offer to your readers the result of 

 the observations I have made on the habits of Orchideae during 

 my researches for that tribe of plants in Demerara, Trinidad, 

 and the Spanish Main, in the course of the past year. The 

 collecting of Orchideae having been the sole object of my visit to 

 the West Indies, I endeavoured, as may be naturally supposed, 

 to acquaint myself, as far as circumstances would permit, with 

 the position generally occupied by epiphytal Orchideae, and 

 the effects produced upon them by exposure to light and 

 sun, by the changes of the atmosphere, and the natural vicissi- 

 tudes to which they are subjected ; such as the death or fall of 

 the tree or branch on which they have been growing, &c. : and 

 I feel the more confidence in submitting this small essay to the 

 public, from having had an opportunity, immediately before my 

 departure from Trinidad for England, of comparing notes with, 

 and receiving many useful hints from, my scientific friend, Mr. 

 D. Lockhart, curator of the Botanic Garden of Trinidad, who 

 is highly and deservedly valued by all who have the pleasure of 

 corresponding with him ; and whose disinterested kindness and 

 attention to myself, during my stay in Trinidad, I shall ever 

 remember with gratitude and pleasure. 



Mr. Bateman will, I am sure, excuse me for making a remark 

 on one of the passages of his interesting communication, which 

 appears to me calculated to mislead its readers with respect to 

 the position occupied by Orchideae. 



The passage to which I allude is in page 2., and commences 

 with, — '" Flourishing as the various epiphytes appear," &c. This 

 passage would lead any reader to suppose that Orchideae, ferns, 

 tillandsias, &c., are generally found smothered together and de- 

 stroying one another. Never was there a more mistaken idea; 



