Nearly all the genera of this enormous family have species which grow in a temperate8 climate, if not in the temperate zone. At this moment, in fact, I recall but two exceptions, Vanda and Phal?nopsis. Many more there are, of course—half a dozen have occurred to me while I wrote the last six words—but in the small space at command I must cling to generalities. We have at least a hundred genera which will flourish anywhere if the frost be excluded; and as for species, a list of two thousand would not exhaust them probably. But a reasonable man may content himself with the great classes of Odontoglossum, Oncidium, Cypripedium, and Lycaste; among the varieties of these, which no one has ventured to calculate perhaps, he may spend a happy existence. They have every charm—foliage9 always green, a graceful10 habit, flowers that rank among the master works of Nature. The poor man who succeeds with them in his modest "bit of glass" has no cause to envy Dives his flaunting11 Cattleyas and "fox-brush" Aerides. I should like to publish it in capitals—that nine in ten of those suburban12 householders who read this book may grow the loveliest of orchids if they can find courage to try.
Odontoglossums stand first, of course—I know not where to begin the list of their supreme13 merits. It will seem perhaps a striking advantage to many that they burst into flower at any time, as they chance to ripen14. I think that the very perfection of culture is discounted somewhat in this instance. The gardener who keeps his plants at the ne plus ultra stage brings them all into bloom within the space of a few weeks. Thus in the great collections there is such a show during April, May, and June as the Gardens of Paradise could not excel, and hardly a spike15 in the cool houses for the rest of the year. At a large establishment this signifies nothing; when the Odontoglossums go off other things "come on" with equal regularity16. But the amateur, with his limited assortment17, misses every bloom. He has no need for anxiety with this genus. It is their instinct to flower in spring, of course, but they are not pedantic18 about it in the least. Some tiny detail overlooked here and there, absolutely unimportant to health, will retard19 florescence. It might very well happen that the owner of a dozen pots had one blooming every month successively. And that would mean two spikes20 open, for, with care, most Odontoglossums last above four weeks.
Another virtue21, shared by others of the cool class in some degree, is their habit of growing in winter. They take no "rest;" all the year round their young bulbs are swelling22, graceful foliage lengthening23, roots pushing, until the spike demands a concentration of all their energy. But winter is the most important time. I think any man will see the peculiar24 blessing25 of this arrangement. It gives interest to the long dull days, when other plant life is at a standstill. It furnishes material for cheering meditations27 on a Sunday morning—is that a trifle? And at this season the pursuit is joy unmixed. We feel no anxious questionings, as we go about our daily business, whether the placens uxor forgot to remind Mary, when she went out, to pull the blinds down; whether Mary followed the instructions if given; whether those confounded patent ventilators have snapped to again. Green fly does not harass28 us. One syringing a day, and one watering per week suffice. Truly these are not grave things, but the issue at stake is precious: we enjoy the boon29 of relief proportionately.
Very few of those who grow Odontoglossums know much about the "Trade," or care, seemingly. It is a curious subject, however. The genus is American exclusively. It ranges over the continent from the northern frontier of Mexico to the southern frontier of Peru, excepting, to speak roughly, the empire of Brazil. This limitation is odd. It cannot be due to temperature simply, for, upon the one hand, we receive Sophronitis, a very cool genus, from Brazil, and several of the coolest Cattleyas; upon the other, Odontoglossum Roezlii, a very hot species, and O. vexillarium, most decidedly warm, flourish up to the boundary. Why these should not step across, even if their mountain sisters refuse companionship with the Sophronitis, is a puzzle. Elsewhere, however, they abound30. Collectors distinctly foresee the time when all the districts they have "worked" up to this will be exhausted31. But South America contains a prodigious32 number of square miles, and a day's march from the track carries one into terra incognita. Still, the end will come. The English demand has stripped whole provinces, and now all the civilized33 world is entering into competition. We are sadly assured that Odontoglossums carried off will not be replaced for centuries. Most other genera of orchid2 propagate so freely that wholesale34 depredations35 are made good in very few years. For reasons beyond our comprehension as yet, the Odontoglossum stands in different case. No one in England has raised a plant from seed—that we may venture to say definitely. Mr. Cookson and Mr. Veitch, perhaps others also, have obtained living germs, but they died incontinently. Frenchmen, aided by the climate, have been rather more successful. MM. Bleu and Moreau have both flowered seedling36 Odontoglots. M. Jacob, who takes charge of M. Edmund de Rothschild's orchids at Armainvilliers, has a considerable number of young plants. The reluctance37 of Odontoglots to propagate is regarded as strange; it supplies a constant theme for discussion among orchidologists. But I think that if we look more closely it appears consistent with other facts known. For among importations of every genus but this—and Cypripedium—a plant bearing its seed-capsules is frequently discovered; but I cannot hear of such an incident in the case of Odontoglossums. They have been arriving in scores of thousands, year by year, for half a century almost, and scarcely anyone recollects38 observing a seed-capsule. This shows how rarely they fertilize39 in their native home. When that event happens, the Odontoglossum is yet more prolific40 than most, and the germs, of course, are not so delicate under their natural conditions. But the moral to be drawn41 is that a country once stripped will not be reclothed.
I interpolate here a profound observation of Mr. Roezl. That wonderful man remarked that Odontoglossums grow upon branches thirty feet above the ground. It is rare to find them at thirty-five feet, rarer at twenty-five; at greater and less heights they do not exist. Here, doubtless, we have the secret of their reluctance to fertilize; but I will offer no comments, because the more one reflects the more puzzling it becomes. Evidently the seed must be carried above and must fall below that limit, under circumstances which, to our apprehension5, seem just as favourable42 as those at the altitude of thirty feet. But they do not germinate43. Upon the other hand, Odontoglossums show no such daintiness of growth in our houses. They flourish at any height, if the general conditions be suitable. Mr. Roezl discovered a secret nevertheless, and in good time we shall learn further.
To the Royal Horticultural Society of England belongs the honour of first importing orchids methodically and scientifically. Messrs. Weir44 and Fortune, I believe, were their earliest employés. Another was Theodor Hartweg, who discovered Odontoglossum crispum Alexandr? in 1842; but he sent home only dried specimens45. From these Lindley described and classed the plant, aided by the sketch46 of a Spanish or Peruvian artist, Tagala. A very curious mistake Lindley fell into on either point. The scientific error does not concern us, but he represented the colouring of the flower as yellow with a purple centre. So Tagala painted it, and his drawing survives. It is an odd little story. He certainly had Hartweg's bloom before him, and that certainly was white. But then again yellow Alexandr?s have been found since that day. To the Horticultural Society we are indebted, not alone for the discovery of this wonder, but also for its introduction. John Weir was travelling for them when he sent living specimens in 1862. It is not surprising that botanists47 thought it new after what has been said. As such Mr. Bateman named it after the young Princess of Wales—a choice most appropriate in every way.
Then a few wealthy amateurs took up the business of importation, such as the Duke of Devonshire. But "the Trade" came to see presently that there was money in this new fashion, and imported so vigorously that the Society found its exertions48 needless. Messrs. Rollisson of Tooting, Messrs. Veitch of Chelsea, and Messrs. Low of Clapton distinguished49 themselves from the outset. Of these three firms one is extinct; the second has taken up, and made its own, the fascinating study of hybridization among orchids; the third still perseveres51. Twenty years ago, nearly all the great nurserymen in London used to send out their travellers; but they have mostly dropped the practice. Correspondents forward a shipment from time to time. The expenses of the collector are heavy, even if he draw no more than his due—and the temptation to make up a fancy bill cannot be resisted by some weak mortals. Then, grave losses are always probable—in the case of South American importations, certain. It has happened not once but a hundred times that the toil53 of months, the dangers, the sufferings, and the hard money expended54 go to absolute waste. Twenty or thirty thousand plants or more an honest man collects, brings down from the mountains or the forests, packs carefully, and ships. The freight alone may reach from three to eight hundred pounds—I have personally known instances when it exceeded five hundred. The cases arrive in England—and not a living thing therein! A steamship55 company may reduce its charge under such circumstances, but again and again it will happen that the speculator stands out of a thousand pounds clean when his boxes are opened. He may hope to recover it on the next cargo56, but that is still a question of luck. No wonder that men whose business is not confined to orchids withdrew from the risks of importation, returning to roses and lilies and daffodowndillies with a new enthusiasm.
There is another point also, which has varying force with different characters. The loss of life among those men who "go out collecting" has been greater proportionately, than in any class of which I have heard. In former times, at least, they were chosen haphazard57, among intelligent and trustworthy employés of the firm. Trustworthiness was a grand point, for reasons hinted. The honest youth, not very strong perhaps in an English climate, went bravely forth58 into the unhealthiest parts of unhealthy lands, where food is very scarce, and very, very rough; where he was wet through day after day, for weeks at a time; where "the fever," of varied59 sort, comes as regularly as Sunday; where from month to month he found no one with whom to exchange a word. I could make out a startling list of the martyrs60 of orchidology. Among Mr. Sander's collectors alone, Falkenberg perished at Panama, Klaboch in Mexico, Endres at Rio Hacha, Wallis in Ecuador, Schroeder in Sierra Leone, Arnold on the Orinoco, Digance in Brazil, Brown in Madagascar. Sir Trevor Lawrence mentions a case where the zealous61 explorer "waded62 for a fortnight up to his middle in mud," searching for a plant he had heard of. I have not identified this instance of devotion, but we know of rarities which would demand perseverance63 and sufferings almost equal to secure them. If employers could find the heart to tempt52 a fellow-creature into such risks, the chances are that it would prove bad business. For to discover a new or valuable orchid is only the first step in a commercial enterprise. It remains64 to secure the "article," to bring it safely into a realm that may be called civilized, to pack it and superintend its transport through the sweltering lowland to a shipping65 place. If the collector sicken after finding his prize, these cares are neglected more or less; if he die, all comes to a full stop. Thus it happens that the importing business has been given up by one firm after another.
Odontoglossums, as I said, belong to America—to the mountainous parts of the continent in general. Though it would be wildly rash to pronounce which is the loveliest of orchids, no man with eyes would dispute that O. crispum Alexandr? is the queen of this genus. She has her home in the States of Colombia, and those who seek her make Bogota their headquarters. If the collector wants the broad-petalled variety, he goes about ten days to the southward before commencing operations; if the narrow-petalled, about two days to the north—on mule-back of course. His first care on arrival in the neighbourhood—which is unexplored ground, if such he can discover—is to hire a wood; that is, a track of mountain clothed more or less with timber. I have tried to procure66 one of these "leases," which must be odd documents; but orchid-farming is a close and secret business. The arrangement concluded in legal form, he hires natives, twenty or fifty or a hundred, as circumstances advise, and sends them to cut down trees, building meantime a wooden stage of sufficient length to bear the plunder67 expected. This is used for cleaning and drying the plants brought in. Afterwards, if he be prudent68, he follows his lumber-men, to see that their indolence does not shirk the big trunks—which give extra trouble naturally, though they yield the best and largest return. It is a terribly wasteful69 process. If we estimate that a good tree has been felled for every three scraps70 of Odontoglossum which are now established in Europe, that will be no exaggeration. And for many years past they have been arriving by hundreds of thousands annually71! But there is no alternative. An European cannot explore that green wilderness72 overhead; if he could, his accumulations would be so slow and costly73 as to raise the proceeds to an impossible figure. The natives will not climb, and they would tear the plants to bits. Timber has no value in those parts as yet, but the day approaches when Government must interfere74. The average yield of Odontoglossum crispum per tree is certainly not more than five large and small together. Once upon a time Mr. Kerbach recovered fifty-three at one felling, and the incident has grown into a legend; two or three is the usual number. Upon the other hand, fifty or sixty of O. gloriosum, comparatively worthless, are often secured. The cutters receive a fixed75 price of sixpence for each orchid, without reference to species or quality.
When his concession76 is exhausted, the traveller overhauls77 the produce carefully, throwing away those damaged pieces which would ferment78 in the long, hot journey home, and spoil the others. When all are clean and dry, he fixes them with copper79 wire on sticks, which are nailed across boxes for transport. Long experience has laid down rules for each detail of this process. The sticks, for example, are one inch in diameter, fitting into boxes two feet three inches wide, two feet deep, neither more nor less. Then the long file of mules80 sets out for Bogota, perhaps ten days' march, each animal carrying two boxes—a burden ridiculously light, but on such tracks it is dimension which has to be considered. On arrival at Bogota, the cases are unpacked81 and examined for the last time, restowed, and consigned82 to the muleteers again. In six days they reach Honda, on the Magdalena River, where, until lately, they were embarked83 on rafts for a voyage of fourteen days to Savanilla. At the present time, an American company has established a service of flat-bottomed steamers which cover the distance in seven days, thus reducing the risks of the journey by one-half. But they are still terrible. Not a breath of wind stirs the air at that season, for the collector cannot choose his time. The boxes are piled on deck; even the pitiless sunshine is not so deadly as the stewing84 heat below. He has a store of blankets to cover them, on which he lays a thatch85 of palm-leaves, and all day long he souses the pile with water; but too well the poor fellow knows that mischief86 is busy down below. Another anxiety possesses him too. It may very well be that on arrival at Savanilla he has to wait days in that sweltering atmosphere for the Royal Mail steamer. And when it comes in, his troubles do not cease, for the stowage of the precious cargo is vastly important. On deck it will almost certainly be injured by salt water. In the hold it will ferment. Amidships it is apt to be baked by the engine fire. Whilst writing I learn that Mr. Sander has lost two hundred and sixty-seven cases by this latter mishap87, as is supposed. So utterly88 hopeless is their condition, that he will not go to the expense of overhauling89 them; they lie at Southampton, and to anybody who will take them away all parties concerned will be grateful. The expense of making this shipment a reader may judge from the hints given. The Royal Mail Company's charge for freight from Manzanilla is 750l. I could give an incident of the same class yet more startling with reference to Phal?nopsis. It is proper to add that the most enterprising of Assurance Companies do not yet see their way to accept any kind of risks in the orchid trade; importers must bear all the burden. To me it seems surprising that the plants can be sold so cheap, all things considered. Many persons think and hope that prices will fall, and that may probably happen with regard to some genera. But the shrewdest of those very shrewd men who conduct the business all look for a rise.
Od. Harryanum always reminds me—in such an odd association of ideas as everyone has experienced—of a thunderstorm. The contrast of its intense brown blotches90 with the azure91 throat and the broad, snowy lip, affect me somehow with admiring oppression. Very absurd; but on est fait comme ?a, as Nana excused herself. To call this most striking flower "Harryanum" is grotesque92. The public is not interested in those circumstances which give the name significance for a few, and if there be any flower which demands an expressive93 title, it is this, in my judgment94. Possibly it was some Indian report which had slipped his recollection that led Roezl to predict the discovery of a new Odontoglot, unlike any other, in the very district where Od. Harryanum was found after his death, though the story is quoted as an example of that instinct which guides the heaven-born collector. The first plants came unannounced in a small box sent by Se?or Pantocha, of Colombia, to Messrs. Horsman in 1885, and they were flowered next year by Messrs. Veitch. The dullest who sees it can now imagine the excitement when this marvel95 was displayed, coming from an unknown habitat. Roezl's prediction occurred to many of his acquaintance, I have heard; but Mr. Sander had a living faith in his old friend's sagacity. Forthwith he despatched a collector to the spot which Roezl had named—but not visited—and found the treasure. The legends of orchidology will be gathered one day, perhaps; and if the editor be competent, his volume should be almost as interesting to the public as to the cognoscenti.
I have been speaking hitherto of Colombian Odontoglossums, which are reckoned among the hardiest96 of their class. Along with them, in the same temperature, grow the cool Masdevallias, which probably are the most difficult of all to transport. There was once a grand consignment97 of Masdevallia Schlimii, which Mr. Roezl despatched on his own account. It contained twenty-seven thousand plants of this species, representing at that time a fortune. Mr. Roezl was the luckiest and most experienced of collectors, and he took special pains with this unique shipment. Among twenty-seven thousand two bits survived when the cases were opened; the agent hurried them off to Stevens's auction-rooms, and sold them forthwith at forty guineas each. But I must stick to Odontoglossums. Speculative98 as is the business of importing the northern species, to gather those of Peru and Ecuador is almost desperate. The roads of Colombia are good, the population civilized, conveniences abound, if we compare that region with the orchid-bearing territories of the south. There is a fortune to be secured by anyone who will bring to market a lot of O. n?veum in fair condition. Its habitat is perfectly99 well known. I am not aware that it has a delicate constitution; but no collector is so rash or so enthusiastic as to try that adventure again, now that its perils100 are understood; and no employer is so reckless as to urge him. The true variety of O. Hallii stands in much the same case. To obtain it the explorer must march in the bed of a torrent101 and on the face of a precipice102 alternately for an uncertain period of time, with a river to cross about every day. And he has to bring back his loaded mules, or Indians, over the same pathless waste. The Roraima Mountain begins to be regarded as quite easy travel for the orchid-hunter nowadays. If I mention that the canoe-work on this route demands thirty-two portages, thirty-two loadings and unloadings of the cargo, the reader can judge what a "difficult road" must be. Ascending103 the Roraima, Mr. Dressel, collecting for Mr. Sander, lost his herbarium in the Essequibo River. Savants alone are able to estimate the awful nature of the crisis when a comrade looses his grip of that treasure. For them it is needless to add that everything else went to the bottom.[2]
One is tempted104 to linger among the Odontoglots, though time is pressing. In no class of orchids are natural hybrids105 so mysterious and frequent. Sometimes one can detect the parentage; in such cases, doubtless, the crossing occurred but a few generations back: as a rule, however, such plants are the result of breeding in and in from age to age, causing all manner of delightful106 complications. How many can trace the lineage of Mr. Bull's Od. delectabile—ivory white, tinged107 with rose, strikingly blotched with red and showing a golden labellum? or Mr. Sander's Od. Alberti-Edwardi, which has a broad soft margin108 of gold about its stately petals109? Another is rosy110 white, closely splashed with pale purple, and dotted round the edge with spots of the same tint111 so thickly placed that they resemble a fringe. Such marvels112 turn up in an importation without the slightest warning—no peculiarity113 betrays them until the flowers open; when the lucky purchaser discovers that a plant for which he gave perhaps a shilling is worth an indefinite number of guineas.
Lycaste also is a genus peculiar to America, such a favourite among those who know its merits that the species L. Skinneri is called the "Drawing-Room Flower." Professor Reichenbach observes in his superb volume that many people utterly ignorant of orchids grow this plant in their miscellaneous collection. I speak of it without prejudice, for to my mind the bloom is stiff, heavy, and poor in colour. But there are tremendous exceptions. In the first place, Lycaste Skinneri alba, the pure white variety, beggars all description. Its great flower seems to be sculptured in the snowiest of transparent114 marble. That stolid115 pretentious116 air which offends one—offends me, at least—in the coloured examples, becomes virginal dignity in this case. Then, of the normal type there are more than a hundred variations recognized, some with lips as deep in tone, and as smooth in texture117, as velvet118, of all shades from maroon119 to brightest crimson120. It will be understood that I allude121 to the common forms in depreciating122 this species. How vast is the difference between them, their commercial value shows. Plants of the same size and the same species range from 3s. 6d. to 35 guineas, or more indefinitely.
Lycastes are found in the woods, of Guatemala especially, and I have heard no such adventures in the gathering123 of them as attend Odontoglossums. Easily obtained, easily transported, and remarkably124 easy to grow, of course they are cheap. A man must really "give his mind to it" to kill a Lycaste. This counts for much, no doubt, in the popularity of the genus, but it has plenty of other virtues125. L. Skinneri opens in the depth of winter, and all the rest, I think, in the dull months. Then, they are profuse126 of bloom, throwing up half a dozen spikes, or, in some species, a dozen, from a single bulb, and the flowers last a prodigious time. Their extraordinary thickness in every part enables them to withstand bad air and changes of temperature, so that ladies keep them on a drawing-room table, night and day, for months, without change perceptible. Mr. Williams names an instance where a L. Skinneri, bought in full bloom on February 2, was kept in a sitting-room127 till May 18, when the purchaser took it back, still handsome. I have heard cases more surprising. Of species somewhat less common there is L. aromatica, a little gem26, which throws up an indefinite number of short spikes, each crowned with a greenish yellow triangular128 sort of cup, deliciously scented129. I am acquainted with no flower that excites such enthusiasm among ladies who fancy Messrs. Liberty's style of toilette; sad experience tells me that ten commandments or twenty will not restrain them from appropriating it. L. cruenta is almost as tempting130. As for L. leucanthe, an exquisite131 combination of pale green and snow white, it ranks with L. Skinneri alba as a thing too beautiful for words. This species has not been long introduced, and at the moment it is dear proportionately. There is yet another virtue of the Lycaste which appeals to the expert. It lends itself readily to hybridization. This most fascinating pursuit attracts few amateurs as yet, and the professionals have little time or inclination133 for experiments. They naturally prefer to make such crosses as are almost certain to pay. Thus it comes about that the hybridization of Lycastes has been attempted but recently, and none of the seedlings134, so far as I can learn, have flowered. They have been obtained, however, in abundance, not only from direct crossing, but also from alliance with Zygopetalum, Anguloa, and Maxillaria.
The genus Cypripedium, Lady's Slipper135, is perhaps more widely scattered136 over the globe than any other class of plant; I, at least, am acquainted with none that approaches it. From China to Peru—nay, beyond, from Archangel to Torres Straits,—but it is wise to avoid these semi-poetic descriptions. In brief, if we except Africa and the temperate parts of Australia, there is no large tract132 of country in the world that does not produce Cypripediums; and few authorities doubt that a larger acquaintance with those realms will bring them under the rule. We have a species in England, C. calceolus, by no means insignificant137; it can be purchased from the dealers138, but it is almost extinct in this country now. America furnishes a variety of species; which ought to be hardy139. They will bear a frost below zero, but our winter damp is intolerable. Mr. Godseff tells me that he has seen C. spectabile growing like any water-weed in the bogs140 of New Jersey141, where it is frozen hard, roots and all, for several months of the year; but very few survive the season in this country, even if protected. Those fine specimens so common at our spring shows are imported in the dry state. From the United States also we get the charming C. candidum, C. parviflorum, C. pubescens, and many more less important. Canada and Siberia furnish C. guttatum, C. macranthum, and others. I saw in Russia, and brought home, a magnificent species, tall and stately, bearing a great golden flower, which is not known "in the trade;" but they all rotted gradually. Therefore I do not recommend these fine outdoor varieties, which the inexperienced are apt to think so easy. At the same cost others may be bought, which, coming from the highlands of hot countries, are used to a moderate damp in winter.
Foremost of these, perhaps the oldest of cool orchids in cultivation142, is C. insigne, from Nepal. Everyone knows its original type, which has grown so common that I remarked a healthy pot at a window-garden exhibition some years ago in Westminster. One may say that this, the early and familiar form, has no value at present, so many fine varieties have been introduced. A reader may form a notion of the difference when I state that a small plant of exceptional merit sold for thirty guineas a short time ago—it was C. insigne, but glorified143. This ranks among the fascinations144 of orchid culture. You may buy a lot of some common kind, imported, at a price representing coppers145 for each individual, and among them may appear, when they come to bloom, an eccentricity146 which sells for a hundred pounds or more. The experienced collector has a volume of such legends. There is another side to the question, truly, but it does not personally interest the class which I address. To make a choice among numberless stories of this sort, we may take the instance of C. Spicerianum.
It turned up among a quantity of Cypripedium insigne in the greenhouse of Mrs. Spicer, a lady residing at Twickenham. Astonished at the appearance of this swan among her ducks, she asked Mr. Veitch to look at it. He was delighted to pay seventy guineas down for such a prize. Cypripediums propagate easily, no more examples came into the market, and for some years this lovely species was a treasure for dukes and millionaires. It was no secret that the precious novelty came from Mrs. Spicer's greenhouse; but to call on a strange lady and demand how she became possessed147 of a certain plant is not a course of action that commends itself to respectable business men. The circumstances gave no clue. Messrs. Spicer were and are large manufacturers of paper; there is no visible connection betwixt paper and Indian orchids. By discreet148 inquiries149, however, it was ascertained150 that one of the lady's sons had a tea-plantation in Assam. No more was needed. By the next mail Mr. Forstermann started for that vague destination, and in process of time reached Mr. Spicer's bungalow151. There he asked for "a job." None could be found for him; but tea-planters are hospitable152, and the stranger was invited to stop a day or two. But he could not lead the conversation towards orchids—perhaps because his efforts were too clever, perhaps because his host took no interest in the subject. One day, however, Mr. Spicer's manager invited him to go shooting, and casually153 remarked "we shall pass the spot where I found those orchids they're making such a fuss about at home." Be sure Mr. Forstermann was alert that morning! Thus put upon the track, he discovered quantities of it, bade the tea-planter adieu, and went to work; but in the very moment of triumph a tiger barred the way, his coolies bolted, and nothing would persuade them to go further. Mr. Forstermann was no shikari, but he felt himself called upon to uphold the cause of science and the honour of England at this juncture154. In great agitation155 he went for that feline156, and, in short, its skin still adorns157 Mrs. Sander's drawing-room. Thus it happened that on a certain Thursday a small pot of C. Spicerianum was sold, as usual, for sixty guineas at Stevens's; on the Thursday following all the world could buy fine plants at a guinea.
Cypripedium is the favourite orchid of the day. It has every advantage, except, to my perverse158 mind—brilliancy of colour. None show a whole tone; even the lovely C. niveum is not pure white. My views, however, find no backing. At all other points the genus deserves to be a favourite. In the first place, it is the most interesting of all orchids to science.[3] Then its endless variations of form, its astonishing oddities, its wide range of hues159, its easy culture, its readiness to hybridize and to ripen seed, the certainty, by comparison, of rearing the proceeds, each of these merits appeals to one or other of orchid-growers. Many of the species which come from torrid lands, indeed, are troublesome, but with such we are not concerned. The cool varieties will do well anywhere, provided they receive water enough in summer, and not too little in winter. I do not speak of the American and Siberian classes, which are nearly hopeless for the amateur, nor of the Hong-Kong Cypripedium purpuratum, a very puzzling example.
On the roll of martyrs to orchidology, Mr. Pearce stands high. To him we owe, among many fine things, the hybrid50 Begonias which are becoming such favourites for bedding and other purposes. He discovered the three original types, parents of the innumerable "garden flowers" now on sale—Begonia Pearcii, B. Veitchii, and B. Boliviensis. It was his great luck, and great honour, to find Masdevallia Veitchii—so long, so often, so laboriously161 searched for from that day to this, but never even heard of. To collect another shipment of that glorious orchid, Mr. Pearce sailed for Peru, in the service, I think, of Mr. Bull. Unhappily—for us all as well as for himself—he was detained at Panama. Somewhere in those parts there is a magnificent Cypripedium with which we are acquainted only by the dried inflorescence, named planifolium. The poor fellow could not resist this temptation. They told him at Panama that no white man had returned from the spot, but he went on. The Indians brought him back, some days or weeks later, without the prize; and he died on arrival.
Oncidiums also are a product of the New World exclusively; in fact, of the four classes most useful to amateurs, three belong wholly to America, and the fourth in great part. I resist the temptation to include Masdevallia, because that genus is not so perfectly easy as the rest; but if it be added, nine-tenths, assuredly, of the plants in our cool house come from the West. Among the special merits of the Oncidium is its colour. I have heard thoughtless persons complain that they are "all yellow;" which, as a statement of fact, is near enough to the truth, for about three-fourths may be so described roughly. But this dispensation is another proof of Nature's kindly162 regard for the interests of our science. A clear, strong, golden yellow is the colour that would have been wanting in our cool houses had not the Oncidium supplied it. Shades of lemon and buff are frequent among Odontoglossums, but, in a rough, general way of speaking, they have a white ground. Masdevallias give us scarlet163 and orange and purple; Lycastes, green and dull yellow; Sophronitis, crimson; Mesospinidium, rose, and so forth. Blue must not be looked for. Even counting the new Utricularia for an orchid, as most people do, there are, I think, but five species that will live among us at present, in all the prodigious family, showing this colour; and every one of them is very "hot." Thus it appears that the Oncidium fills a gap—and how gloriously! There is no such pure gold in the scheme of the universe as it displays under fifty shapes wondrously164 varied. Thus—Oncidium macranthum! one is continually tempted to exclaim, as one or other glory of the orchid world recurs165 to mind, that it is the supreme triumph of floral beauty. I have sinned thus, and I know it. Therefore, let the reader seek an opportunity to behold166 O. macranthum, and judge for himself. But it seems to me that Nature gives us a hint. As though proudly conscious what a marvel it will unfold, this superb flower often demands nine months to perfect itself. Dr. Wallace told me of an instance in his collection where eighteen months elapsed from the appearance of the spike until the opening of the first bloom. But it lasts a time proportionate.
Nature forestalled167 the dreams of ?sthetic colourists when she designed Oncidium macranthum. Thus, and not otherwise, would the thoughtful of them arrange a "harmony" in gold and bronze; but Nature, with characteristic indifference168 to the fancies of mankind, hid her chef-d'?uvre in the wilds of Ecuador. Hardly less striking, however, though perhaps less beautiful, are its sisters of the "small-lipped" species—Onc. serratum, O. superbiens, and O. sculptum. This last is rarely seen. As with others of its class, the spike grows very long, twelve feet perhaps, if it were allowed to stretch. The flowers are small comparatively, clear bronze-brown, highly polished, so closely and daintily frilled round the edges that a fairy goffering-iron could not give more regular effects, and outlined by a narrow band of gold. Onc. serratum has a much larger bloom, but less compact, rather fly-away indeed, its sepals widening gracefully169 from a narrow neck. Excessively curious is the disposition170 of the petals, which close their tips to form a circle of brown and gold around the column. The purpose of this extraordinary arrangement—unique among orchids, I believe—will be discovered one day, for purpose there is, no doubt; to judge by analogy, it may be supposed that the insect upon which Onc. serratum depends for fertilization likes to stand upon this ring while thrusting its proboscis171 into the nectary. The fourth of these fine species, Onc. superbiens, ranks among the grandest of flowers—knowing its own value, it rarely consents to "oblige;" the dusky green sepals are margined172 with yellow, petals white, clouded with pale purple, lip very small, of course, purple, surmounted173 by a great golden crest174.
Most strange and curious is Onc. fuscatum, of which the shape defies description. Seen from the back, it shows a floriated cross of equal limbs; but in front the nethermost175 is hidden by a spreading lip, very large proportionately. The prevailing176 tint is a dun-purple, but each arm has a broad white tip. Dun-purple, also, is the centre of the labellum, edged with a distinct band of lighter177 hue160, which again, towards the margin, becomes white. These changes of tone are not gradual, but as clear as a brush could make them. Botanists must long to dissect178 this extraordinary flower, but the opportunity seldom occurs. It is desperately179 puzzling to understand how nature has packed away the component180 parts of its inflorescence, so as to resolve them into four narrow arms and a labellum. But the colouring of this plant is not always dull. In the small Botanic Garden at Florence, by Santa Maria Maggiore, I remarked with astonishment181 an Onc. fuscatum, of which the lip was scarlet-crimson and the other tints182 bright to match. That collection is admirably grown, but orchids are still scarce in Italy. The Society did not know what a prize it had secured by chance.
The genus Oncidium has, perhaps, more examples of a startling combination in hues than any other—but one must speak thoughtfully and cautiously upon such points.
I have not to deal with culture, but one hint may be given. Gardeners who have a miscellaneous collection to look after, often set themselves against an experiment in orchid-growing because these plants suffer terribly from green-fly and other pests, and will not bear "smoking." To keep them clean and healthy by washing demands labour for which they have no time. This is a very reasonable objection. But though the smoke of tobacco is actual ruination, no plant whatever suffers from the steam thereof. An ingenious Frenchman has invented and patented in England lately a machine called the Thanatophore, which I confidently recommend. It can be obtained from Messrs. B.S. Williams, of Upper Holloway. The Thanatophore destroys every insect within reach of its vapour, excepting, curiously183 enough, scaly-bug, which, however, does not persecute184 cool orchids much. The machine may be obtained in different sizes through any good ironmonger.
To sum up: these plants ask nothing in return for the measureless enjoyment185 they give but light, shade from the summer sun, protection from the winter frost, moisture—and brains.
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1
delusions
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| n.欺骗( delusion的名词复数 )；谬见；错觉；妄想 | |
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orchid
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| n.兰花，淡紫色 | |
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orchids
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| n.兰花( orchid的名词复数 ) | |
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pedants
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| n.卖弄学问的人，学究，书呆子( pedant的名词复数 ) | |
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apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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avowed
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| adj.公开声明的，承认的v.公开声明，承认( avow的过去式和过去分词) | |
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temperate
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| adj.温和的，温带的，自我克制的，不过分的 | |
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foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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flaunting
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| adj.招摇的，扬扬得意的，夸耀的v.炫耀，夸耀( flaunt的现在分词 )；有什么能耐就施展出来 | |
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suburban
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| adj.城郊的，在郊区的 | |
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supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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ripen
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| vt.使成熟；vi.成熟 | |
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spike
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| n.长钉，钉鞋；v.以大钉钉牢，使...失效 | |
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regularity
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| n.规律性，规则性；匀称，整齐 | |
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assortment
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| n.分类，各色俱备之物，聚集 | |
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pedantic
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| adj.卖弄学问的；迂腐的 | |
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retard
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| n.阻止，延迟；vt.妨碍，延迟，使减速 | |
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spikes
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| n.穗( spike的名词复数 )；跑鞋；（防滑）鞋钉；尖状物v.加烈酒于( spike的第三人称单数 )；偷偷地给某人的饮料加入（更多）酒精（ 或药物）；把尖状物钉入；打乱某人的计划 | |
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virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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swelling
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| n.肿胀 | |
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lengthening
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| （时间或空间）延长，伸长( lengthen的现在分词 )； 加长 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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gem
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| n.宝石，珠宝；受爱戴的人 [同]jewel | |
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meditations
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| 默想( meditation的名词复数 )； 默念； 沉思； 冥想 | |
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harass
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| vt.使烦恼，折磨，骚扰 | |
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boon
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| n.恩赐，恩物，恩惠 | |
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abound
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| vi.大量存在；(in，with)充满，富于 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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prodigious
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| adj.惊人的，奇妙的；异常的；巨大的；庞大的 | |
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civilized
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| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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wholesale
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| n.批发；adv.以批发方式；vt.批发，成批出售 | |
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depredations
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| n.劫掠，毁坏( depredation的名词复数 ) | |
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seedling
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| n.秧苗，树苗 | |
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reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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recollects
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| v.记起，想起( recollect的第三人称单数 ) | |
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fertilize
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| v.使受精，施肥于，使肥沃 | |
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prolific
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| adj.丰富的，大量的；多产的，富有创造力的 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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germinate
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| v.发芽；发生；发展 | |
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44
weir
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| n.堰堤，拦河坝 | |
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specimens
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| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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sketch
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| n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述 | |
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47
botanists
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| n.植物学家，研究植物的人( botanist的名词复数 ) | |
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48
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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49
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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50
hybrid
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| n.(动，植）杂种，混合物 | |
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perseveres
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| v.坚忍，坚持( persevere的第三人称单数 ) | |
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tempt
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| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
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toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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expended
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| v.花费( expend的过去式和过去分词 )；使用（钱等）做某事；用光；耗尽 | |
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55
steamship
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| n.汽船，轮船 | |
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cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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57
haphazard
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| adj.无计划的，随意的，杂乱无章的 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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martyrs
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| n.martyr的复数形式；烈士( martyr的名词复数 )；殉道者；殉教者；乞怜者（向人诉苦以博取同情） | |
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zealous
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| adj.狂热的，热心的 | |
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waded
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| （从水、泥等）蹚，走过，跋( wade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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perseverance
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| n.坚持不懈，不屈不挠 | |
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64
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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shipping
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| n.船运（发货，运输，乘船） | |
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procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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wasteful
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| adj.（造成）浪费的，挥霍的 | |
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scraps
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| 油渣 | |
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annually
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| adv.一年一次，每年 | |
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wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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concession
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| n.让步，妥协；特许(权) | |
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overhauls
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| v.彻底检查( overhaul的第三人称单数 )；大修；赶上；超越 | |
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ferment
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| vt.使发酵；n./vt.（使）激动，（使）动乱 | |
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copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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mules
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| 骡( mule的名词复数 )； 拖鞋； 顽固的人； 越境运毒者 | |
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unpacked
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| v.从（包裹等）中取出（所装的东西），打开行李取出( unpack的过去式和过去分词 )；拆包；解除…的负担；吐露（心事等） | |
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consigned
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| v.把…置于（令人不快的境地）( consign的过去式和过去分词 )；把…托付给；把…托人代售；丟弃 | |
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embarked
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| 乘船( embark的过去式和过去分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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stewing
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| 炖 | |
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thatch
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| vt.用茅草覆盖…的顶部；n.茅草(屋) | |
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86
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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mishap
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| n.不幸的事，不幸；灾祸 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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overhauling
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| n.大修；拆修；卸修；翻修v.彻底检查( overhaul的现在分词 )；大修；赶上；超越 | |
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90
blotches
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| n.（皮肤上的）红斑，疹块( blotch的名词复数 )；大滴 [大片]（墨水或颜色的）污渍 | |
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azure
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| adj.天蓝色的，蔚蓝色的 | |
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grotesque
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| adj.怪诞的，丑陋的；n.怪诞的图案，怪人（物） | |
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expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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95
marvel
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| vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异；n.令人惊异的事 | |
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96
hardiest
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| 能吃苦耐劳的，坚强的( hardy的最高级 )； （植物等）耐寒的 | |
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97
consignment
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| n.寄售；发货；委托；交运货物 | |
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98
speculative
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| adj.思索性的，暝想性的，推理的 | |
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99
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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100
perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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101
torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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102
precipice
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| n.悬崖，危急的处境 | |
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103
ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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104
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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105
hybrids
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| n.杂交生成的生物体( hybrid的名词复数 )；杂交植物（或动物）；杂种；（不同事物的）混合物 | |
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106
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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107
tinged
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| v.（使）发丁丁声( ting的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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108
margin
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| n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘 | |
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109
petals
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| n.花瓣( petal的名词复数 ) | |
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110
rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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111
tint
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| n.淡色，浅色；染发剂；vt.着以淡淡的颜色 | |
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112
marvels
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| n.奇迹( marvel的名词复数 )；令人惊奇的事物（或事例）；不平凡的成果；成就v.惊奇，对…感到惊奇( marvel的第三人称单数 ) | |
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113
peculiarity
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| n.独特性，特色；特殊的东西；怪癖 | |
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114
transparent
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| adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的 | |
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115
stolid
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| adj.无动于衷的，感情麻木的 | |
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116
pretentious
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| adj.自命不凡的，自负的，炫耀的 | |
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117
texture
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| n.(织物)质地；(材料)构造；结构；肌理 | |
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118
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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119
maroon
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| v.困住，使（人）处于孤独无助之境；n.逃亡黑奴；孤立的人；酱紫色，褐红色；adj.酱紫色的，褐红色的 | |
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120
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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121
allude
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| v.提及，暗指 | |
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122
depreciating
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| v.贬值，跌价，减价( depreciate的现在分词 )；贬低，蔑视，轻视 | |
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123
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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124
remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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125
virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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126
profuse
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| adj.很多的，大量的，极其丰富的 | |
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127
sitting-room
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| n.（BrE）客厅，起居室 | |
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128
triangular
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| adj.三角（形）的，三者间的 | |
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129
scented
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| adj.有香味的；洒香水的；有气味的v.嗅到(scent的过去分词) | |
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130
tempting
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| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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131
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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132
tract
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| n.传单，小册子，大片(土地或森林) | |
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133
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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134
seedlings
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| n.刚出芽的幼苗( seedling的名词复数 ) | |
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135
slipper
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| n.拖鞋 | |
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136
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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137
insignificant
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| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
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138
dealers
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| n.商人( dealer的名词复数 )；贩毒者；毒品贩子；发牌者 | |
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139
hardy
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| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
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140
bogs
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| n.沼泽，泥塘( bog的名词复数 )；厕所v.（使）陷入泥沼， （使）陷入困境( bog的第三人称单数 )；妨碍，阻碍 | |
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141
jersey
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| n.运动衫 | |
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142
cultivation
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| n.耕作，培养，栽培（法），养成 | |
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143
glorified
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| 美其名的，变荣耀的 | |
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144
fascinations
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| n.魅力( fascination的名词复数 )；有魅力的东西；迷恋；陶醉 | |
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145
coppers
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| 铜( copper的名词复数 )； 铜币 | |
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146
eccentricity
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| n.古怪，反常，怪癖 | |
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147
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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148
discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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149
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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150
ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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151
bungalow
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| n.平房，周围有阳台的木造小平房 | |
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152
hospitable
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| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
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153
casually
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| adv.漠不关心地，无动于衷地，不负责任地 | |
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154
juncture
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| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
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155
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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156
feline
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| adj.猫科的 | |
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157
adorns
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| 装饰，佩带( adorn的第三人称单数 ) | |
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158
perverse
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| adj.刚愎的；坚持错误的，行为反常的 | |
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159
hues
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| 色彩( hue的名词复数 )； 色调； 信仰； 观点 | |
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160
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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161
laboriously
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| adv.艰苦地；费力地；辛勤地；（文体等）佶屈聱牙地 | |
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162
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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163
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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164
wondrously
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| adv.惊奇地，非常，极其 | |
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165
recurs
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| 再发生，复发( recur的第三人称单数 ) | |
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166
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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167
forestalled
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| v.先发制人，预先阻止( forestall的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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168
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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169
gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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170
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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171
proboscis
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| n.（象的）长鼻 | |
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172
margined
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| [医]具边的 | |
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173
surmounted
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| 战胜( surmount的过去式和过去分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
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174
crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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175
nethermost
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| adj.最下面的 | |
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176
prevailing
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| adj.盛行的；占优势的；主要的 | |
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177
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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178
dissect
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| v.分割；解剖 | |
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179
desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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180
component
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| n.组成部分，成分，元件；adj.组成的，合成的 | |
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181
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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182
tints
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| 色彩( tint的名词复数 )； 带白的颜色； （淡色）染发剂； 痕迹 | |
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183
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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184
persecute
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| vt.迫害，虐待；纠缠，骚扰 | |
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185
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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