ORCHID COLLECTING STANDLEY 373 



be a matter of great importance. There is apparently an optimum 

 elevation at which they reach their best development. For the La 

 Palma region this must be at about 6,000 feet. At another locality 

 only a very few miles away, but of slightly greater elevation, orchids 

 v/ere found to be far less plentiful, although the other vegetation 

 was luxuriant and attractively varied. 



At higher elevations the scarcity of orchids is still more pro- 

 nounced. Upon the upper slopes of the Volcano of Poas, one of 

 the most remarkable natural monuments of Central America, al- 

 though there are humid forests, and trees loaded with epiphytic 

 vegetation, orchids are few in both species and individuals. Toward 

 the summit of the Volcano of Turrialba their absence is even more 

 striking, and not over half a dozen species were found. This is the 

 more remarkable since the wet forests of Turrialba are richer in 

 ferns than any locality seen by the writer in Costa Rica, and other 

 epiphytes are present in quite as great abundance as at La Palma. 

 It must be that the altitude is too great and the temperature too 

 low for the needs of orchid growth. It seems certain, therefore, 

 that the expectations of those who have stated that a whole new 

 orchid flora would be found on the higher slopes of the Central 

 American mountains are doomed to disappointment. 



There are many other localities in central Costa Eica that furnish 

 a wealth of orchids. In the wet mountains south of Cartago their 

 variety is perhaps as great as at La Palma, although individuals 

 are hardly as numerous. It may be noted, too, that most of the 

 species found in the latter region are different from those of La 

 Palma. Even in the immediate vicinity of San Jose and Cartago, 

 especially about the latter city, orchids grow upon nearly all the 

 roadside trees, and even upon fence posts. At La Palma one could 

 make a fine collection without ever leaving the wagon road. 



Costa Rican conditions are extremely favorable for forming a 

 living collection of orchid plants, j^et little has been done in this 

 direction. Some years ago Dona Amparo Zeledon assembled in San 

 Jose an extensive collection of the more showy species, the plants 

 having been collected principally by Werckle. Specimens from 

 plants of this collection have been made the types of new species 

 by Schlechter. At the present time, because of the absence of its 

 owner, this collection has unfortunately deteriorated, and compara- 

 tively fcAv plants remain. 



Frequently about San Jose and Cartago one sees small collections 

 of orchids about the houses, most of the plants those which produce 

 conspicuous flowers. One of the finest local collections is that of 

 Father Benavides, in Heredia. This consists of a very large number 

 o-f plants and includes a wonderful display of Cattleyas and other 

 20397—25 25 



