72 ORCHIDS. 
VANDA. — Sacred Misletoe. 
Tuts plant is an East Indian species, having very many 
varieties, all exceptionally fine. It belongs to the third tribe. 
The name seems to have come to us_ through the Sanskrit; 
Vanda meaning the parasite or misletoe growing out of an 
oak. For this evergreen parasite, growing upon and out of 
other trees, rarely appeared upon an oak: and when this 
occurred, a peculiar sacredness was supposed to attach to it. 
Vandaca, among these Orientals, was az oak. With the addi- 
tion, Amaravanda, we have the meaning 7; vee Orchid. 
Perhaps this following statement. is too strong, but one 
English writer says, “there is no hesitation about what plant 
is to occupy the premier position—the post of honor, in this 
grand family. By universal consent it would be accorded to 
the Vanda.” 
