SEPTEMBER, 1908.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 261 
and although the other departments of the garden make big demands upon 
his time he has got the Orchids in,a good thriving condition, clean and well 
set up. J. M. Brack. 
DIES ORCHIDIANI. 
I AM indebted to some friend for a newspaper cutting—a “ snipping,” he 
irreverently terms it—which he says has been written by an eminent 
professor of natural history under the title of “Science from an Easy 
Chair,” and as it relates to Orchids, he thinks I may like to see it. The 
eminent Professor describes how an ‘“‘admirable story teller’ has 
made “‘ legitimate use of scientific possibilities in imagining the existence 
of a rare tropical Orchid which attracts large animals to it by its 
wonderful odour. The effects of the perfume are narcotising; the 
animal, having sniffed at the Orchid, drops insensible at the foot of the 
tree trunk on which the Orchid grows. Then the Orchid rapidly, and with 
animal-like celerity, sends forth those smooth green fingers or ‘‘suckers”’ 
which you may see clinging to the pots and shelves on which an Orchid is 
growing. As they slowly creep, in their growth, over the poisoned animal, 
they absorb its life’s blood painlessly, and without disturbing the death 
slumber of the victim.” 
He then goes into detail as to how aretired official with feeble health and 
a passion for Orchids purchased an unknown specimen, which, after some 
months of nursing, is about to blossom in the little hot-house of his 
suburban home. ‘‘ He goes quietly and alone one afternoon, when his 
housekeeper is preparing his tea, to enjoy the first sight and smell of the 
unknown flower, and is found, some three hours later, lying insensible before 
the Orchid, which is giving out an intoxicating odour, and is looking very 
vigorous and wicked. It has a reddish brown tint pervading its leaves and 
stalks, and has already pushed some of its finger-like shoots round the 
Orchid-lover’s neck and beneath his shirt front. When they are pulled 
away a few drops of blood continue to flow from the skin where the 
absorbent shoots had applied themselves.” 
The story, which was becoming quite interesting, now abruptly ends 
with ‘‘ The Victim Recovers.” Nota word as to his feelings, or as to the 
subsequent history of that wonderful specimen. But perhaps I can give a 
few additional details, at all events the story seems familiar, and those who 
care to look up an earlier article (O.R., iv. pp. 292-293) may be able to 
follow the argument. 
This reminds me that the story of the wonderful scarlet Phalzenopsis 
was never fully cleared up. It was never explained why the plant was not 
