CULTURE OF OUCHIDEOUS PLANTS. 
439 
ARTICLE VII. 
OBSERVATIONS ON THE CULTURE OF ORCHIDEOUS PLANTS. 
BY DR. BINDLEY. 
(Extracted, from the Botanical Register, for 16999 
It is well known that the most considerable part of the Epiphytal 
Orchidese is found in the greatest vigour in damp sultry woods of 
tropical countries; and accordingly we endeavour, in our artificial 
cultivation, to form an atmosphere for them as nearly as possible like 
that which they would naturally breath in such stations. 
But it is sufficiently evident, that, although this kind of treatment 
is admirably suited to a considerable number, there are others which 
grow most unwillingly, or scarcely survive, under such circumstances. 
For instance, Dendrobium speciosum languishes in situations where 
the Stanhopeas are in their greatest splendour: and the Chinese 
Bletias almost perish by the side of Eulophia and Zygopetalon. This 
arises from the great difference in their respective constitutions, which 
are each adapted to distinct conditions of life, and our failure arises 
from our mistaking a general principle for an universal law. If a 
great majority of Epiphytal Orchideae swarms in damp tropical for¬ 
ests, there is a considerable minority which lives in an entirely differ¬ 
ent climate. This is the genus Oncidium, where almost all the 
species are of tropical habits, O. nubigenum is only found on the 
cool mountains of Peru, at the height of 14,000 feet; it will, there¬ 
fore, require a different treatment, altogether distinct from that of 
the mass of the genus. Dendrobium moniliform, and Catenatum, 
again occur only in Japan, as far north as 37 deg. or 38 deg., or the 
parrellel of Lisbon, and are periodically subject to a very low tem¬ 
perature. 
But the most remarkable instances of a disposition on the part of 
some Orchideous Epiphytes to depart from the ordinary habits of the 
tribe are found in Australia, and its dependency, New Zealand, 
