weighing the value of one and another, but the foun- 
dation of all our reasonings, if true, will still be found 
in nature. Robert Mudie has justly said ^^As for the 
productions of art, though many of them are curi- 
ous, and far from unworthy of our attention in order 
that we may ‘ learn to excel,’ they are at best, but 
second-hand applications of those properties and 
piinciples which we find original and fresh when 
we turn to nature itself. The very depth of human 
knowledge, and the very height and perfection of 
human art, are, in truth, nothing more than the 
revealing and applying a few of the laws and prin- 
ciples of nature; and though we often flatter our- 
selves that there is something profound in what we 
know, and mighty in what we do, it is still all in 
nature.” 
The Gymnadenia conopsia is a hardy British 
orchidaceous plant — handsome, and very fragrant. 
If cultivated in pots it should be potted in light 
sandy loam, with plenty of potsherds at the bottom 
of the pots ; and every spring it should be repotted 
in fresh soil ; that in which it has continued during 
the winter becoming sour and unfit for summer 
growth. If planted in the open ground, it should 
be planted in light loam and a shady situation. 
It may be collected from its native habitat, at any 
season, and being cleared from the earth that may 
attach to it, may be planted in pots or the open soil 
without fear of failure. We would, notwithstanding, 
remind our readers of the instructions given under 
Orchis latifolia. No 951. Humidity in summer — 
the season of growth, is important to the luxuriance 
of this plant. 
