106 ABOUT ORCHIDS. 
collectors now—for Cattleyas of value come from 
hence, besides this precious Odontoglot—there 
are still no means of transport, saving Indians and 
canoes. O. vextllarium would not be thought 
costly if buyers knew how rare it is, how expensive 
to get, and how terribly difficult to bring home. 
Forty thousand pieces were despatched to Mr. 
Sander in one consignment—he hugged himself 
with delight when three thousand proved to have 
some trace of vitality. 
Mr. Watson, Assistant Curator at Kew, recalls 
an amusing instance of the value and the mystery 
attached to this species so late as 1867. In that 
year Professor Reichenbach described it for the first 
time. He tells how a friend lent him the bloom 
upon a negative promise under five heads—“ First, 
not to show it to any one else; (2) not to speak 
much about it; (3) not to take a drawing of it ; 
(4) not to have a photograph made; (5) not to 
look oftener than three times at it.” By-the-bye, 
Mr. Watson gives the credit of the first discovery 
to the late Mr. Bowman; but I venture to believe 
that my account is exact—in reference to the 
Antioquia variety, at least. 
The other form occurs in the famous district of 
Frontino, about two hundred and fifty miles due 
north of the first habitat, and shows—savants 
