PREFACE. 
THE increasing interest taken in the genus Masdevallia, and the large number of species now in cultiva- 
tion, seemed to form a sufficient reason for publishing the present Monograph, which will be made 
as complete and exhaustive as the numerous difficulties attendant upon such an undertaking will allow. 
One of the greatest of these difficulties arises from the impossibility of referring to the late Professor 
Reichenbach’s immense collections of dried specimens, drawings, and unpublished descriptions, now sealed 
up, by the eccentric conditions of his Will, in the Vienna Museum for a period of 25 years from the date 
of his death, 1889, In thus rendering his collections inaccessible, Professor Reichenbach has precluded 
any comparison with many types of the genus Masdevallia, of which the greater number of species were 
first named and described by him. 
The drawings contained in the earlier Parts of this work will be prepared from Plants grown at 
Newbattle Abbey ; those in subsequent Parts will be taken from specimens liberally contributed by many 
persons interested in the genus. Besides a hand-coloured lithograph (natural size) of each species in 
cultivation, a vignette engraving from a photograph will be given, except in those cases where it is found 
impossible to obtain a photograph of the perfect plant. Drawings also of numerous species entirely 
unknown in this country, or known hitherto only as dried specimens, are generously promised by Consul 
F.C. Lehmann, whose exceptional advantages as a skilled botanist collecting for many years in those 
regions of Central and South America where alone Masdevallias are to be found, place him at the head 
of the authorities upon the genus. His drawings will be published in later Parts of the work, with names 
and descriptions supplied by him, and with a chapter on the geographical distribution of the genus, 
accompanied by a map. For each species which he has himself collected, he contributes a note stating 
the temperature and elevation of the locality in which he has found the plant. 
The Plates issued in each Part will be arranged—tor temporary conyvenience—in alphabetical 
order, and at the end of the work a synopsis will be given, indicating the sections into which the genus is 
divisible, and the order in which the entire book should be bound. 
Much pleasure is felt in thanking numerous friends for the help which they have given towards the 
progress of the work, especially those gentlemen on the Botanical Staff of the British Museum of Natural 
History, whose kind and willing aid has greatly lightened the task of preparing the text. Thanks are 
also due to Mr. F. W. Moore, of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin, for sending many rare 
specimens, which have proved of invaluable assistance in the completion of the Plates. Sir Trevor 
Lawrence, Bart., M.P., Mr. Sypyey Courtautp, Mr. Harry Veitcu, and Mr. James O'Brien have also 
been most generous in supplying useful specimens. 
It may be of interest to friends of the late Professor Reichenbach to know that some of the first 
Plates prepared for this work were submitted to him shortly before his death, and that they met with his 
cordial approbation. By his advice a few slight additions were made in the dissections, as for instance, 
the apex and section of each leaf and the apex of the column. 
Frorence H. Wootwarp, 
Betton, 
GRANTHAM. 
(1890.) 
