PREFACE. Xlil 
multitude of facts, told in some detail where such 
attention seems necessary, which can only be 
found elsewhere in baldest outline if found at all. 
Everything that relates to orchids has a charm for 
me, and IJ have learned to hold it as an article of 
faith that pursuits which interest one member of 
the cultured public will interest all, if displayed 
clearly and pleasantly, in a form to catch attention 
at the outset. Savants and professionals have 
kept the delights of orchidology to themselves as 
yet. They smother them in scientific treatises, or 
commit them to dry earth burial in gardening 
books. Very few outsiders suspect that any 
amusement could be found therein. Orchids are 
environed by mystery, pierced now and again by 
a brief announcement that something with an 
incredible name has been sold for a fabulous 
number of guineas; which passing glimpse into 
an unknown world makes it more legendary 
than before. It is high time such noxious super- 
stitions were dispersed. Surely, I think, this 
volume will do the good work—if the public will 
read it. 
The illustrations are reduced from those delight. 
ful drawings by Mr. Moon admired throughout 
the world in the pages of ‘“ Reichenbachia.” 
The licence to use them is one of many favours 
