ORCHIDS. 63 
ODONTOGLOSSUM TRIUMPHANS, 
THE drawing of this variety —shown in Plate No. WAN 
was made from a luxuriant Specimen in the orchid house of Mr. 
Ames. The name triumphant, or excelling all others, justly marks 
it as one of the finest in a large and choice species. Art can hardly 
expect here to equal the brilliancy of nature. 
Only a part of the Specimen, on account of its size, could be 
represented on these pages. The variety is a native of New Gra- 
nada. Its flowers are very large, blossoming late in winter; they 
are quite fragrant, though not pleasantly so to all persons. 
Bright and glorious is that revelation 
Written all over this great world of ours, 
Making evident our own creation 
In these stars of earth, — these golden flowers. 
In all places, then, and in all seasons, 
Flowers expand their soul-like wings; 
Teaching as by most persuasive reasons 
How akin they are to human things. 
Following the exquisite lines of Longfellow, which appropri. 
ately touch the appearance of “these golden flowers” of the Odon- 
toglossum, we now turn to the soberness of scientific thought: 
“In the distinction of sex, plant life lays hold of us. It comes 
between the mineral and animal kingdoms as the connecting link. 
For plants not only exercise the primitive digs OD ae come on 
minerals, which they organize into the food on which we biker 
creatures live; they not only hint, while they prepare, our respira- 
tion, — draining clear the air of that which poisons us, and restock 
ing it with that which we must breathe; but in this distinction of 
