RISKS OF COLLECTING ORCHIDS. ]5 



from the withered seed-pods. This seed in process of time germinates 

 and forms young plants which finally get established on the branches, 

 and' there the fallen leaves, settling among their roots, by feeding impart 

 to them new vigour, thus preparing them to enter upon and endure the 

 alternating season of drought. Their foliage helps to direct the natural 

 moisture and to retain it about the roots, which are thus enabled to grow 

 more freely, and to fasten themselves securely to the branches and stems 

 of the trees on which they become located. 



In their native habitats Orchids have many drawbacks to their 

 growth; they have insects, as we have in our houses, but far more 

 numerous ; and they have the extremes of weather to contend with. 

 The plants are generally found on the high trees at the margins of the 

 forests, where they are subject to rough winds and furious storms ; in fact, 

 large trees are often blown down loaded with the beautiful blossoms of the 

 plants growing on them, and are frequently destroyed in this way. The 

 stock, however, is generally maintained by the seedlings, which are 

 found to be much more abundant in some localities than in others. 

 Some species on the contrary affect low trees and shrubs, oftentimes 

 sending their roots down into the damp soil beneath. 



It often happens that, when being removed from their native resorts, 

 the plants are injured by the collectors and by the natives whom they 

 employ to gather them from the high trees and other places difficult of 

 access. They are frequently packed in sacks and transported on the 

 backs of mules, in order to reach the sea-port for shipment ; ■ and the 

 native men who help to pack them are very indifferent as to how 

 the bulbs and foliage, which require so much care, are handled. The 

 voyage these plants have to undergo is often very detrimental to them. 

 Sometimes they are placed on a part of the vessel where they get too 

 much dry heat, or where they may get the salt water on them, and these 

 injuries often cause them to rot, or the very life to be shrivelled out of 

 them. A good proportion of the importations, however, seem to endure, 

 ■ notwithstanding the treatment they receive after their arrival here, 

 though passing through hands that have no love whatever for them 

 beyond the hope of selling them to the best advantage, and that care 

 little or nothing for the bruises they sustain, or for the bulbs that get 

 broken. After all this they thrive well in many cases. This shows us 

 that when the plants are in a dormant state, rough treatment is not so 



