or to a great extent based on the resources of this herbarium and 

 library. It can be said safely, if not boastingly, that with a very 

 few exceptions, all orchid floristic studies, especially those of the 



World 



mm 



mes 



those who seek critical information about the unique Orchid 

 Family. Being at the cross roads of scientific and horticultural 

 endeavors, the facilities of the Ames Orchid Herbarium are con- 

 tinually used by a large number of visitors, especially those from 

 foreign countries. Among the holdings of the Herbarium, the 

 Philippine and Mexican collections are the most extensive in the 

 world. This truth is so aptly expressed by Dr. Valmayor in the 

 preface written in August 1983, to her two-volume "Orchidiana 

 Philippiana", after having spent a considerable time in the her- 

 barium for the preparation of these books: 



"The Ames Orchid Herbarium of Harvard University. . .is considered 

 the mecca for Philippine Orchidologists, and this is because almost all 

 the type specimens of Philippine orchids are represented in its collection. 

 . . . Moreover, the Orchid Library of Harvard University is so extensive 

 that almost all valuable early taxonomic books on orchids are to be 

 found there." 



May these kind words not only sum up the treasured history 

 of this herbarium, but also keep on echoing it in every concerned 

 heart for an unending and promising future. 



Leslie A. Garay 



Curator of the Herbarium 



THE ECONOMIC HERBARIUM OF OAKES AMES 



AND THE TEACHING COLLECTION OF 



USEFUL PLANT PRODUCTS 



M 



long been the study of economic botany which includes ethno- 

 botanical research. Extensive teaching and research in this inter- 



35 



