INTRODUCTION. 



When- Orchids were less numerous in our Hot-houses, and less known than tlioy arc at the present day, 

 the magnificent works of Batemnn and Idndlcy were the means of diffusing information concerning them 

 among those who could command such costly luxuries. Then, and long since then, the taste was rather in 

 the direction of making extended collections of these plants, irrespective of their merits as ornamental 

 objccis; but now, that the store of materials is so much more richly furnished, it has become almost 

 a necessity to limit the number to he accommodated, and thence it follows as a natural consequence that 

 those only arc selected which are the most highly prized for their beauty. Every year, too, is adding not 

 only new and beautiful varieties of the more ornamental of the species already known, but also new ones 

 which outvie the most lovely of those of the olden time. Among the novel varieties thus obtained are 

 comprised many which, though real gems for the Orehid-housc, are rather ignored by those who look al 

 the subject from a purely scientific point of view, and which, as they get passed over in books, are in 

 some danger of remaining unknown to growers generally. 



The present publication is designed to present the lovers of Orchids with portraits of such of the most 

 beautiful and recent acquisitions among the cultivated forms of this remarkable race of plants as those 

 just alluded to. In carrying out this design, we shall not regard it as important whether the plant we 

 figure be what is called a species, or what is designated a variety. Though conforming to the best of our 

 ability to (he botanical standard of nomenclature, we shall look upon a fine variety of any popular genus of 

 the Orchidaceous race as being at least equally interesting to cultivators as the varieties of Pelargoniums, 

 Kascs, or Fuchsias, which find ready illustration in our garden literature, and as being nlao in every way 

 worthy of representation, on a scale ami in a style befitting it* rank among exotic flowers. 



The family of the Orohidaceaj, it must be remembered, has long enjoyed a large share of the favour 

 of those whose means enable them to engage in the culture of tropical plants, which favour has, no doubt, 

 been won and held by them in consequence of the gorgeous character of their remarkably formed and 

 ir (he most part, exquisitely coloured flowers. We say they have not only won and held this position 

 mong the few, but that they hold also a high place in the estimation of the many. H proof be demanded. 

 I the inquirer go and witness the delight with which visitors hang around these choice exotica al our 

 rand floral exhibitions. There they still command, as ever, the highest admiration. 



Notothstanding all this, no recent publication has appeared in this country, the very foremost 

 ta regards the introduction ami successful cultivation of the plants themselves, illustrating, on a scale 



all commensurate with their natural grandeur, the splendid novelties which are king year after j 



acquired. Though new species and new varieties have been imported to a large extent, though c 



eurs and cultivators have increased in numbers, and though great additional skill, together with im- 



red appliances, have been brought to bear on their cultivation, yet no attempt has been made to illustrate 



rich accumulations, except in the limited pages of the monthly magazines. Those only who have any 



[uaintance with the noble aspect of the plants in a growing state, can fully appreciate the sacrifice in 



tuty which is made to bring many of the subjects within the compass even of a quarto. 



it is (0 supply this deficiency in garden literature that the present series of Figures and Descriptions 

 Sleet Orchidaceous Bants has been commenced. The publication has been projected us a labour of 

 . not of profit; but being costly in its production, the extent to which it may be carried beyond the 



year 



('III- 



