: FIG. 69. ORCHIS FUSCA.

(One-fourth natural size; 1 and 2, natural size of flower.)]

The full size of a flower is shown in the drawing. The sepals are seen
to be broad, converging, and pointed; the lip, which is rough, is
three-parted; lobes, unequal and ragged; the side ones are long and
narrow, the middle lobe is twice notched in an irregular manner; the
spur is straight with the stem; bracts, short; the flowers are densely
produced, forming a compact bunch 3in. to 4in. long, on a spike rather
over a foot tall; they continue in perfection three weeks or a month.
The leaves are 9in. or more in length, lance-shaped, and fully an inch
broad in the middle; they are of a pale, shining, green colour, the
root leaves resting on the ground.

I find this Orchid capable of withstanding very rough treatment, but it
requires some time (two years) to get fairly established. Silky loam and
leaf soil are suitable for it; a moist situation, but in no way of a
stagnant character, should be given, and the position should also be
carefully selected, so as to secure the brittle and top-heavy flower
spikes from strong winds, otherwise it will suffer the fate of hundreds
of tulips after a gale. It is propagated by root division after the
foliage has died off.

Flowering period, end of May to end of June.

Origanum Pulchellum.

BEAUTIFUL MARJORAM; _Nat. Ord._ LABIATAE.

This is indeed a well-named species or variety, whichever it may be;
little seems to be known of its origin, but that it is distinct and
beautiful is beyond doubt. It shines most as a rock plant; its long and
bending stems, which are somewhat procumbent, have as much rigidity
about them as to prevent their having a weak appearance; the tips,
moreover, are erect, showing off to advantage the handsome imbricate
bracts, bespangled as they are with numerous rosy-purple blossoms. The
long and elegant panicles of bracteae, together with the pleasing
arrangement thereof, are the main features of this subject.

The rosy flowers are very small, and have the appearance of being packed
between the bracteoles; still, their gaping forms are distinctly
traceable, but the pretty lipped calyxes are quite hidden; the bract
leaves are roundly-oval, acute, cupped, and touched with a nutty-brown
tint on the outer sides; the spikes have many minor ones, being as fine
as a thread, covered with short soft hairs, and of a brown colour; the
leaves are 3/4in. long, oval, entire, a