ORCHIDS 



Structure and other Peculiarities. 



is more than ift. in length. We shall see, as we proceed, 

 something of the wonderful varietj- in form of this 

 characteristic feature of an Orchid flower ; and the accom- 

 panying group of the blossoms of a few of our British 

 Orchids (Fig. 5) will give some notion of its extent in 

 the natives of our own woods, commons, downs, marshes, 

 and fields. The other remarkable point in the flower of 

 an Orchid is the coliann {c). In most blossoms the 

 stamens and pistils are separate organs ; but in the 

 Orchids these are consolidated into a central, wax}', 

 often club-shaped bod}-, which is known b}' the above 

 name. Except in Cypripedimii, only one of the anthers 

 is developed. 



Orchids differ considerabl}- in habit, in the form and 

 character of the stem, and in the arrangement and con- 

 iiguration of the leaves. In habit there are the climbing 

 Vanillas, the Creeping Good}'eras ; whilst some grow in 

 reed-like tufts, others have an erect stem, with arching 

 leaves, arranged in two regular rows on each side. 

 Another group have no stem, but thick, flesh}- leaves ; and 

 in others there is a creeping rhizome, from which stem-like 

 growths are developed at intervals. These growths are 

 known as pseudo-biilhs. They are not stems, nor are the}- 

 leaf-stalks, but they appear to be intermediate between 

 the two. Usuall}^ only one pseudo-bulb is developed at 

 the apex or growing point of each rhizome }-earl}-, and 

 this bears lea\-es either at its apex or all along its sides. 

 From its top, or sides, or base, the flowers are developed, 

 usually only once in the existence of each, sometimes for 

 several consecutive }-ears. In some genera the pseudo- 

 bulbs are of onl}- annual duration, but in the majorit}- 

 thc}' remain on the plant for an indefinite period. 



Although infinitel}- more abundant in some regions than 

 in others, Orchids are found in almost all parts of the 

 world, except upon the verge of the frozen zone and in 

 climates of excessive dryness. " In Europe, Asia, and 

 North America," sa}-s Mr. Moore, "they grow ever}-where 

 —in groves, marshes, and meadows ; at the Cape of Good 

 Hope they abound in similar situations ; but in the hot, 

 damp parts of the West and East Indies, in Madaga.scar 

 and the neighbouring islands, in the damp and humid 

 forests of Brazil, in the warm, mild parts of Central 



