VANDA. 



91 



the Botanical Register for 1847, sub. t. 30, where it is described 

 by Dr. Lindley from a dried specimen sent to him by GriflBth. 

 Three years later it was re-discovered by Sir J. D. Hooker and Dr. 

 Thomson on the Khasia Hills, and from the Himalayan Journals* 

 of the first-named distinguished botanist we extract the following 

 lucid description of its native habitat : — 



" In the oak woods near the village of Lermai, Vanda ccerulea grows 

 in profusion. The high grassy hills which it inhabits are elevated 

 from 3,000 to 4,000 feet; the trees on which it grows are small, 

 gnarled and very oparingly leafy, so that the Yanda is fully exposed to 



^ 

 ^ 



\ 





Vanda Ccerulea. 



sun, rain and wind. There is no moss or lichen on the branches with 

 the Vanda, whose roots sprawl over the dry rough bark. The 

 atmosphere is, on tlie wliole, humid, and extremely so durhig the rains, 

 but there is no damp heat or stagnation in the air, and at the floweriug 

 season the temperature ranges between 15° and 26° C. (60° — 80° F.) ; 

 there is much sunshine, and both air and bark are dry during the da3\ 

 In July and August, during the rains, the temperature is a little higher, 

 but in winter it falls much lower." 



* Vol. II. p. 322. 



