WILD-PINES. 
43 
were Orchideous, but the chief belonged to the same 
family as the pine-apple, the resemblance to which 
has been recognised in the appellation provincially 
conferred upon them, Wild-pines. They are found 
in all situations, on the tops of the mountains, in the 
plains, by the sea side, in the depths of the forest, 
in the open pasture ; and on all sorts of trees, scarcely 
a tree being without some, large ones often carrying 
hundreds ; nor do they seem to attach themselves, 
as far as I can discern, to dying or diseased trees, 
more than to such as are in perfect health. One 
species, called Old-man’s-beard (Tillandsia usneoides), 
is very small and slender, but forms great matted 
bunches, with wiry stems, which often hang down like 
tufts of ragged hair. Others are highly ornamental. 
One, rather common, has a swollen base, much like 
the bulb of a lily (hence called Tillandsia hulbosa) ; 
and narrow, almost cylindrical, pointed leaves, of 
which those near the blossom are often crimson. 
A spike of flowers lengthened in form, and of crimson 
and purple hues, with singularly sheathing bracts, 
and projecting purple stamens, makes this a beautiful 
plant in the blossoming season. Another still more 
abundant kind, a species of Vriesia, throws out a 
long branching spike, of crimson and yellow flowers, 
imbricated or sheathed in a singularly compact man- 
ner. In the mountain-woods a crimson and purple 
species of JEchmea is very gorgeous ; but the most 
imposing of all is the noble Tillandsia lingulata ; 
the leaves of which are long, and shaped like those 
of the pine-apple, widened and, as usual, sheathing 
each other at their bases, and throwing out in July 
