25° 
THE ORCHID WORLD. 
much moisture, and that drought is their 
principal enemy in cultivation. 
I observed Gentiana verna flourishing on 
the southern brow of the San Gothard Alp 
where the clouds must often rest ; I next saw 
it more vigorous in the marshes between the 
lakes of Thun and Brienz, where water was 
absolutely standing, in company with Primula 
farinosa and Orchis latifolia, both notoriously 
swamp plants ; the former of which flowered 
most profusely when absolutely in the water 
of a ditch. I afterwards observed Gentiana 
verna, not less healthy, with Pinguicula 
vulgaris, in such a hillside bog near Thun as 
a jack-snipe is apt to select for his residence. 
Orchis (or Herminium) monorchis is found 
in England on slopes of chalk and stone- 
brash. I met with ic in the reed-beds close 
to the edge of the lake of Brienz, in company 
with Epipactis (or Serapias) palustris ; and I 
also saw one vigorous plant of Orchis mili- 
taris, which is reputed to grow only on dry 
chalk, in the same marsh ; and three in a fiat, 
half-flooded meadow near the sea, a few 
miles from Trieste. 
These observations lead me on to a ques- 
tion which has often suggested itself to me, 
" Why do plants, which are found only in 
particular situations, improve under cultiva- 
tion, and (as I believe to be the case) more 
so than those which are generally dispersed ?" 
and, consequently, " Is the soil or subsoil, on 
which alone certain plants are found in a wild 
state, necessary to them, or at least best for 
them ? " I think the answer must be " No " 
to the latter question ; and to the former 
question, " Because their most dangerous 
rivals, which in a wild state would overpower 
them, in richer soil are removed ; and that 
in truth the weaker plants in many cases are 
peculiar to those soils which are not best for 
them, but where they can exist, and where 
the grass and other enemies cannot grow 
with sufficient strength to choke them. 
Thus it will be found that Orchis latifolia, 
removed from the swamp, in which it 
struggles with other swamp-plants, will grow 
more vigorously where it is cultivated witli 
less wet. 
MASDEVALLIAS. 
THIS very interesting genus of cool 
house Orchids contams a number 
of species which, besides being 
easily grown and reasonable in price, are 
worthy of more attention being paid to 
them than in the past. The very 
remarkable forms and distinct brilliant 
colours which many of them possess should 
entice amateurs to take up their cultivation. 
They will be found of great service for 
decorative and exhibition purposes, and if 
a special house cannot be set apart for them, 
at least a corner of the staging, or a row of 
pans suspended from the roof, should be 
reserved by every amateur for their accom- 
modation. 
The plants are tufted growing epiphytes 
without pseudo-bulbs, but having a creeping 
rhizome, from which the short one-leaved stems 
grow up, the leaves being thick and leathery 
and tapered at the base into a petiole. 
The Odontoglossum house suits them well, 
as they require very similar treatment, only 
being without bulbs they must never be 
allowed to become dry. For a potting com- 
post use good fibrous ipeat or Osmunda, with 
some sphagnum moss, and if vigorous growth 
is desired a few oak leaves should be 
added. 
Although requiring plenty of water when 
growing, the plants should never be allowed 
to become soddened by deficient drainage ; 
when once the compost has become sour the 
plants will soon loose their leaves and 
probably die. 
Masdevallias require a considerable amount 
of shade, and special attention is required to 
keep the plants free from thrips and other 
insect pests. The following are some of the 
most useful and showiest species: — 
M. amablis is a very pretty summer flower- 
ing species with single flowered peduncles 
