of Epiphytal Orchidece. 139 



trees as is usually supposed. Twenty or twenty-five feet is the 

 greatest height, with few exceptions, at which I have seen them 

 growing. Some of the bulbless epidendrons, the spread eagle 

 plant, and Oncidium papilio attain a much greater height. The 

 other oncidiums 1 have not seen growing above 7 ft. or 8 ft. 

 from the ground, and generally on some of the small closely 

 interwoven branches, and not on the stem or main branches of 

 the tree. The various species of Gongorff, Corysanthes, and 

 Rodriguezm are, almost without exception, found in the same 

 positions ; while, again, the genera Maxillaria, Fernandes/a, 

 Epidendrum, Ceratochilus, Cattley«, Zygopetalon, Brassavola, 

 Ornithldium, Camaridium, Pleurothallis, Brassm, Ornithocepha- 

 lus, Trizeiixis, Catasetum, and many other genera supposed to 

 be new, I have found always attached to the trunk or strong 

 limbs of the tree, which they clasp with surprising tenacity. It 

 may be also observed that rough and soft barked trees are 

 favourite habitats of Orchideae. The calabash tree, which 

 has a peculiarly soft and woolly bark, often possesses many 

 of the more minute species. Indeed, I sent home pieces of the 

 calabash tree, about a foot long, on some of which were six and 

 on others seven distinct species of Orchideae; but, unfortunately, 

 all perished, with one exception, which is still alive and doing 

 well. It possesses three or four small oncidium-like bulbs, and 

 the last year's flower-stem complete; and it has now pushed out 

 two fine strong shoots, and yet, by twisting the flower-stem a 

 little, it might all be put into a common nutshell. It is much 

 to be regretted that the length of the voyage renders it im- 

 practicable to introduce many of these small and interesting 

 species. I have observed that Orchideae appear to rejoice in a 

 light situation and a free circulation of the atmosphere ; but are 

 decidedly adverse, with few exceptions, to exposure to the 

 intense rays of the sun. We may except from this remark 

 Oncidium luridum, the Catasetum, and a fine pseudo-bulb 

 found on the Spanish Main (which I suppose to be an Epi- 

 dendrum), which seem not only to exist, but to rejoice, in ex- 

 posure to the sun ; while, of the others, some are quickly burnt 

 up and destroyed, especially those which possess pseudo-bulbs 

 of a soft succulent nature ; and some, though they may exist 

 for a time in a languishing state, fall ultimately victims to 

 their powerful enemy. This part of the subject leads me to 

 remark, that I have seldom seen Orchideae, in a flourishing state, 

 upon dead trees either standing or fallen. The point to be 

 considered, then, is, do Orchideae derive any nourishment from 

 the trees to which they are attached ? I am of opinion that, to 

 a certain degree, they do ; for the bark of a living tree must 

 surely afford some slight moisture to the roots of the Orchideae ; 

 and at the same time the foliage affords it an agreeable shade. 



