John Lindley

“ When, however, we consider how many plants are now common of which the same opinion was formerly entertained, and moreover how much beyond the skill of the last race of gardeners is that of the present day, I think it would be discreditable to the art, and a libel upon the science of horticulture, to say that in the cultivation of these plants there are any difficulties which patience and skill ought not to overcome. ”

“ The moment a small insect touches its point, the labellum makes a sudden revolution, brings the point to the bottom of the column, passing the anther in its way, and thus makes prisoner any insect which the box will hold. When it catches an insect it remains shut while its prey continues to move about; but if no capture is made the lid soon recovers
(256) Prasophyllum giganteum; ovariis cylindraceis subsessilibus bracteâ acutâ plus duplò longioribus, sepalis acutis lateralibus supernè distinctis basi cohærentibus, labello oblongo-lanceolato undulato, folio dimidium superius caulis breviore. ”

“ This description applies only to Glossodia and Caladenia, the species of all which seem to have the same natural habit.
Another plan of growth is to form a bulb at the end of long woolly roots, as in Drakæa (fig 5 &: 7) , Caleana (fig. 4) , and Leptoceras (fig. 8) ; and this sometimes takes place in an excessive degree, as is shewn at fig. 6, where a a are the new bulbs, and b the mother which brought them forth. Mr. Drummond has traced them in one species for more than a foot. ”

“ Next to Thelymitra in point of beauty are the species of Glossodia, Diuris, and Caladenia; among which are numerous species of the most exquisite forms and gayest colours. Glossodia Brunonis, Endl., has violet flowers two inches in diameter, spotted with brilliant purple; both it and G. emarginata224 have large roots, enveloped in numerous coarse skins,
(217) Macdonaldia. Perianthium regulare, patulum. Labellum sessile, foliolis conforme. Columna semiteres triloba, cucullata, laciniis nunc appendiculatis. Anthera terminalis, in stigma incumbens—Caulis flexuosus, foliosus, apice pauciflorus. ”

“ He says, "we have a fine showy orchis which propagates freely by the roots, and which I have no doubt would answer well in the open air in England, if the roots were treated like the Persian Ranunculus, and kept in a dry warm room in winter. The roots of the flowering plants are about six inches long, and resemble a good deal the roots of Anthericum Liliastrum, being thickest at the end farthest from the stem. Two or three are produced annually, and the old ones decay. ”

“ The great obstacles to encounter in the outset are, 1. to obtain the
roots in a perfectly healthy condition; and 2. to know exactly what the natural habits are of each particular species. Upon the latter point at least we possess quite information enough to authorize an attempt at their cultivation. In a valuable paper by Mr. James Drummond, in the Gardener's Magazine, vol. ”

“ These coated species grow mostly on the exposed sides of hills, where the soil is a strong loam, mixed with a large proportion of gravel, and where their numerous coats must be of the greatest use in protecting their roots from the excessive heat of the summer sun. ”

“ Caladenia longicauda (Plate VIII. A) ; folio anguste oblongo canaliculato villosissimo caule furcate elato multò breviore, sepalis petalisque acuminatis glandulosis, labello ovato-oblongo obtuso basi cordato fimbriato ultra medium serrate: glandulis conformibus 4-seriatis versus apicem evanescentibus———Varies in height from one to two feet, and proportionably in the size of the flowers.
(243) Caladenia discoidea; folio oblongo-lineari obtuso villoso caule subbifloro breviore, sepalis petalisque acutissimls aristatis, labelli evalis pectinati disco glandulis depressis sine ordine onusto. ”

“ Macdonaldia (Biaurella) spiralis; folio radicali spirali caulino solitario ovato, caule unifloro, floribus purpureis, cuculli laciniis lateralibus carnosis dolabriformibus intermediâ obsoletâ, antherâ obtusâ apice papillosa.
(222) Macdonaldia (Biaurella) cyanea; caule stricto subbifloro, floribus cyaneis, cuculli laciniis lateralibus apice dentatis intermediâ obsoletâ, antherâ apice trilobâ. (Van Diemen's Land.)
(223) Macdonaldia venosa.=Thelymitra venosa. R.Br.
(224) Glossodia (Elytranthe) emarginata; caule unifloro, columnæ alâ integer-
and as sweet as a chesnut, even when dried ”

“ Caladenia sericea; folio oblongo-ovato molliter sericeo caule 1-2-floro pluriès breviore, sepalis petalisque obtusiusculis, labelli cuneati glandulis minutis 4-seriatis basi maximis carnosis: lobis æqualibus integerrimis intermedio disco glanduloso.
(237) § Pentisea. Sepala et petala subæqualia patula haud producta; labello indiviso undique glanduloso.
Caladenia gemmata; folio ovato undulato coriaceo caule villoso unifloro aphyllo pluriès breviore, labello subrotundo-ovato acuto glandulis depressis undique tecto.———Flowers purple. ”