AN ORCHID SALE. 31 
above high tide, a situation which the Dendrobes 
love. Mr. Micholitz required all his tact and all 
his most attractive presents before he could 
persuade the Papuans to let him even approach. 
But brass wire proved irresistible. They not only 
suffered him to disturb the bones of their ancestors, 
but even helped him to stow the plunder. One 
condition they made: that a favourite idol should 
be packed therewith; this admitted, they per- 
formed a war dance round the cases, and assisted 
in transporting them. All went well this time, 
and in due course the tables were loaded with 
thousands of a plant which, before the consign- 
ment was announced, had been the special glory 
of a collection which is among the richest of the 
universe. 
There were two memorable items in this sale: 
the idol aforesaid and a skull to which one of the 
Dendrobes had attached itself. Both were ex- 
hibited as trophies and curiosities, not to be dis- 
posed of; but by mistake, the idol was put up, 
It fetched only a trifle—quite as much as it was 
worth, however. But Hon. Walter de Rothschild 
fancied it for ,jhis museum, and on learning what 
had happened Mr. Sander begged the purchaser 
to name his own price. That individual refused. 
It was a great day indeed. Very many of the 
