104 THE FLORIST AND 
in the hot region, especially towards the equator ; nearly all seem to avoid 
these arid and burned districts, and it would be an error to imitate in 
our houses a climate of this kind. It is towards the limit of the temperate 
region that they commence to show themselves in great numbers, becoming 
more numerous, more varied, and more brilliant, as the temperature becomes 
more moderate. According to the illustrious Humboldt it is between 4,800 
and 6,600 feet, in the least warm part of the temperate zone, and even in 
the cold country, where we meet the most beautifiul Orchids, and where the 
species are most numerous. The observations of all travellers confirm this 
assertion. It is therefore this climate and this nature which cultivators of 
Orchids should imitate, and which it is important to them to know as com- 
pletely as possible. 
The regions of mean elevation, the temperate lands of equatorial America, 
between 3,000 and 6,000 feet in altitude, have in reality the most delicious 
climate in the world. After leaving the limits of the hot region, (2,000 
feet,) the greatest heat does not exceed 26 to 28 degrees cent., (78 to 82° 
Fahr.,) while the thermometer never descends below 12°, (54° Fahr.) This 
is nearly our Belgian August, with its variableness and extreme temperatures. 
At the opposite limit, towards 4,000 to 6,000 feet, the cold of the night is 
already noticeable, but the days are moderately and regularly warm. 
THE ORIGIN OF WHEAT. 
The experiments of M. Fabre on the Origin of Wheats and the conse- 
quent conclusions adopted by several distinguished naturalists that most of 
our cultivated wheats were derived from species of ^gilops, have excited 
great interest on the continent of Europe. Botanists, whose ideas on the 
specific distinction of plants marked by slight difierences have been carried 
very far, have felt that their principles would be much shaken if it were 
admitted that two plants in their opinion so totally diiferent had a common 
origin, and several refutations of M. Dunal's arguments have been attempted, 
although hitherto without much success. 
M. Godron, of Besan9on, one of the authors of the "Flore de France," 
now in course of publication, has just, however, communicated to the 
"Annales des Sciences Naturalles" the result of his observations and 
experiments, which he considers as removing all weight from the arguments 
