322 
THE CULTIVATION OF ORCHIDACEOUS PLANTS. 
struction of houses. These form what may 
he called the first section of the work. We 
next have notices of a hundred and eleven 
genera, with practical instructions for their 
culture, under all the varied circumstances to 
which gardeners are subject, and showing how 
much has been left undone that ought to have 
been done with many of the genera which have 
been ill-managed, or not managed at all. A 
chapter on the destruction of injurious insects 
follows, and the work closes with a catalogue 
of Orchidaceous Plants. Of the manner in 
which the work has been done we shall give 
some idea, by quoting a portion from the 
chapter on the Geographical Distribution, 
chosing Europe as the most interesting to us : — 
" In Europe the distribution of these plants 
is very limited, the character of the climate, 
receding from the temperate to the frigid 
zone, prevents the spread of more than the 
little terrestrial kinds which are indigenous, 
and these undoubtedly owe their existence to 
the curious and admirably adapted magazine 
of vital power which they possess, provided 
them by nature in the form of fleshy tuberous 
roots, into which the energy of the plant 
seems to retire as it were to a citadel to await 
and repel the attack of winter. 
"They affect, for the most part, situations 
sheltered from cold winds and the mid-day sun, 
such as is usually found on the south-eastern 
side of woods and pastures, generally prefer- 
ring a calcareous soil, or otherwise one rich 
in carbonic matter. 
"As the present treatise professes only the 
cultivation of the exotic species, I content 
myself with an enumeration of the principal 
indigenous species, appending an outline of 
the treatment likely to produce successful 
management. 
"BRITISH SPECIES. 
" The genus Neottia is extensively distri- 
buted — the majority of its species extending 
throughout Europe ; others are found in the 
West Indies, in Nepal, New Holland, and 
China, though only two of them are strictly 
indigenous ; these are sjnralis and nidus avis 
(the birds' nest plant). 
"The genus Listeria comprises only two 
species ; these are both natives of Britain, and 
are rather inconspicuous. 
" Spirant hes. This genus extends over nearly 
the same latitudes that Neottia affects, and is 
usually found growing under the same circum- 
stances. JEstivalis (ladies' tresses) is the only 
British species. 
" Orchis. This is the most extensive genus 
in a numerical consideration : of the whole 
family inhabiting our temperate zone, the 
chief part are found in England, luxuriating 
in marshy woods or open calcareous soils ; 
other species are scattered throughout the 
whole of Europe, though but few of them are 
worth the culturist's care : the species macu- 
lata, is the best known, and perhaps the most 
deserving. 
" Epipactis is entirely a British genus, curi- 
ous and pleasing plants, of easier culture than 
most others ; they are found for the most part 
in damp woods, which circumstance points to 
their proper treatment when in an artificial 
state. 
" Corallarrhiza. A small genus, found only 
in Scotland ; it is not remarkable either in 
form or colour. 
"The genus Nigritdla has only one species 
(angust, Ifolia) which is at present known, and 
that is a native of Austria ; it has dark crim- 
son flowers. 
" Ophrys. This is beyond question the most 
interesting section of the whole group ; it 
occupies a prominent position in the flora of 
all European countries, and is well deserving 
all the attention necessary to its successful 
culture Apifera (the bee) ; tenthredinefera 
(the sawfly) ; aranifera, (the spider) ; and 
mascifera (the fly orchis,) are well known and 
deservedly admired. 
" Gymnadenia. Four species of this genus 
are found in Europe, and some botanists men- 
tion a fifth ; and an additional one is found in 
Canada. Viridis is the most common of the 
British kinds, but, from the colour of its 
flowers (green), is not a favourite. 
"Aceras. A small genus, very difficult to 
manage : there are but two species — the one, 
anthropophora (green man), is widely dis- 
seminated, being present in most places favour- 
able to its growth throughout Europe: the 
other, secundiflora has violet-coloured flowers, 
and is found only in the south of Europe. 
" Cypripedium. Calceolus is the only mem- 
ber of this genus that can be considered as 
belonging to this section of the work ; it is a 
native of Britain, and for singularity in form, 
and richness in colouring, may vie with the 
best ; yet, notwithstanding these inducements 
to its culture, it is extremely scarce, seldom 
indeed being seen under cultivation in aught 
but an enervated or perhaps starving condition. 
" Platanthera. This genus possesses only 
one European species, bifolia (two leaved), an 
inhabitant of British woods : this is the com- 
mon butterfly orchis ; the flowers are white, 
and very interesting 5 the genus is composed 
of this and two other species, but they are 
natives of Canada. 
"Having thus briefly glanced at the leading 
genera of the European division of these 
plants, without pretending to any analysis of 
them, I may remark, they have hitherto been 
found difficult to preserve in anything like 
their natural vigour ; this diminution of energy 
