138 Hints for the Cultivation 



and, however natural the passage may appear, and however 

 pleasing the illustration drawn from it, yet, as respects Orchideae, 

 it is entirely incorrect. True it is, that trees may be seen 

 covered, both stem and branches, by huge masses of tillandsias 

 and bromelias, as well on the sea coast as in the depths of the 

 forest ; as well exposed to the scorching rays of a tropical sun, 

 as in the moist atmosphere of a morass; as well on the fine 

 uplands of Trinidad, or on the immense ridges of mountains in 

 the Spanish Main, as in the low swamps of Demerara: but, so 

 far from Orchideae forming the base of these masses, I have 

 observed it to be almost invariably the case, that where the trees 

 are seen covered with tillandsias, &c., it is in vain to search for 

 Orchideae. Sometimes, indeed, I have found, growing among 

 masses of Orchideae, a few stunted tillandsias ; but rare, indeed, 

 is it to see them flourishing together. I confess that this created 

 a good deal of astonishment in my mind; for, considering their 

 habits to be so similar, I concluded that, where the one was, the 

 other would be found also. But, to follow up Mr. Bateman's 

 idea, Orchideae may be compared either to the lion, who, con- 

 fident in the abundance of his strength, sets at defiance all resist- 

 ance to his sway, or to the timid unoffending hare, which, 

 conscious of her own weakness, retires to some quiet spot, the 

 least liable to intrusion. The latter character is applicable to 

 most of the species of Orchideae that have come under my ob- 

 servation. I will, however, mention a few species which 1 have 

 seen displaying the former character. 



In Demerara, masses of Oncidium altissimum and Maxillaria 

 ParkerzV are to be seen, which would defy any attempt at in- 

 trusion ; and, again, on the Spanish Main, I have seen the 

 epiphyte commonly called the spread eagle, which, I surmise, 

 will prove an epidendron, clasping enormous trees, and cover- 

 ing them from top to bottom; and also two or three species 

 supposed to be maxillarias, which were growing with uncommon 

 vigour. With the above exceptions, I have not found Orchideae 

 growing in such quantities as it has been reported they do ; but 

 often, as Mr. Bateman justly observes, single specimens only 

 are to be obtained. This cannot be more strongly illustrated 

 than in the case of a beautiful Oncidium, which I was happy 

 enough to meet with on the Spanish Main ; its leaves are nearly 

 6 in. in width, of a very firm texture, and possessing an uncom- 

 monly strong nerve ; and though the plant, judging from the 

 remains of the origuial stem, which had gradually decayed as 

 the plant progressed, must have occupied its station for nearly 

 half a centui-y ; yet I searched the neighbourhood in vain for 

 another specimen, nor did I see another plant of it on the 

 Main. 



Nor do Orchideae generally grow in such high situations upon 



