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EPIPACTIS VIRIDIFLORA 



Even in the world of flowers, rarity has a peculiar 

 charm, and dull, insignificant, colourless blossoms 

 may be the object of many a long and eager search. 

 This erect but unassuming member of the Orchid 

 family, not sufficiently famiUar to enjoy a pet name, 

 has appeared in the vicinity of Toronto, Syracuse, 

 and Buffalo, but nowhere else on the continent. The 

 weakness of prizing rarity for its own sake lends to 

 every discovery a peculiar delight. This is enhanced 

 by the attendant weakness of honouring the common 

 and insignificant on account of distinguished family 

 connections. The Orchid family must be accorded a 

 place above all others in the floral world. The richest 

 blooms of the tropics make the name distinguished 

 and revered. Strange habits and ways, perching on 

 trees, breathing nutriment from the air — ^all these 

 tend to give the Orchid an honoured place and some- 

 times to surround it with an air of modern fashionable 

 mystery. An indulgent public has even been treated 

 to stories of wonderful extensions of the parasitic 

 habit, and weird tales have drifted about of un- 

 fortunate travellers falling victims to the relentless 

 tendrils of the devouring Orchid. 

 Naturally we respect and prize every member of 



