Vili PREFAOE, 
discovery of new Orchids, are equalled by his readiness to 
make fresh observations, and furnish new material, so that his 
name will be found frequently mentioned in these pages; also 
to Prof. MacOwan, B.A., F.L.S., who has assisted me with 
living plants, and duplicate specimens from the Cape Govern- 
ment Herbarium under his charge; to Dr. Marnotu, who 
has helped me in various ways, and has been the first observer 
of several Orchids on the Cape Peninsula; and lastly, to Mr. 
RussELL Hauuack, of Port Elizabeth, who has sent me several 
specimens from that neighbourhood, which have aided in eluci- 
dating those of our district. 
I take this opportunity of respectfully soliciting from 
friends of Natural History, known and unknown, contri- 
butions of living specimens of native Orchids from any part 
of South Africa, in aid of further study, and with the view 
of preparing an account of all the species south of the tropic. 
Considerable numbers of species are only known to science, 
and therefore imperfectly known, from dried specimens, while 
it is certain that many novelties yet remain to be discovered. 
Several species have never been found since THUNBERG’s, 
BurcHewu’s and Drece’s time, and only exist in few, or even 
single and imperfect specimens. Such are Disa bracteata, 
D. porrecta, D. excelsa, D. telipogonis, D. gladioliflora ; Pachites 
appressa, from the top of the Swellendam Mt.; Forficaria 
graminifolia, from Du Toit’s Kloof; Coryciwm vestitum, from 
Piquetberg; and many others. The parcel post now affords 
great facilities for transmission, and with moderately careful 
packing Orchids will keep their freshness for several days. 
Any such parcels addressed to me, ‘“‘ Sherwood, Kenilworth, 
near Cape Town,” will be most gratefully received, and the 
expense of postage will be gladly returned. see 
Kew, October, 1888. 
