ORCHID AC E;£ s 



187 



the g-lobe, a few observations on their climate and 

 situation cannot be unacceptable to the cultivator. 



They are natives of those regions where vegeta- 

 tion is subject to the same changes as our own 

 island, but produced by quite different principles, 

 those of drought and excessive heat. They are 

 visited by hot winds, which are known by the ap- 

 pellation of dry monsoons ; these penetrate through 

 the thickest forests, dealing devastation and drought 

 to every thing around. At their commencement 

 vegetation gradually diminishes ; the trees lose 

 their leaves, herbage lies dormant in the earth. 

 Orchidaceae hang their drooping heads, and all ap- 

 pears desolate and bare. Many of the birds mi- 

 grate to other climes to find shelter from these 

 scorching winds. When all vegetation thus seems 

 completely dried up, and the country presents no- 

 thing but a dreary prospect, similar to that caused 

 by the ravages of our severe frosts, suddenly the 

 wet monsoons commence and usher in the lovely 

 spring. Vegetation lies no longer dormant, but 

 bursts into action, and in a few days every tree 

 puts on its hue of lively green, and the renovated 

 herbage sends forth its rich perfume. Orchidea 

 puts forth, and is clad in all its charms, producing its 

 flowers in great abundance ; and now the birds re- 

 turn to welcome this enchanting change, and spring 

 again resumes her reign, where all so late was de- 

 solation. Our readers need not be told that the 



