STORY OF VANDA SANDERIANA 



There are those who pronounce Vanda Sanderiana the state- 

 liest of all orchids. To compare such numberless and varied 

 forms of beauty is rather childish. But it will be allowed 

 that a first view of those enormous flowers, ten or more upon 

 a stalk — lilac above, pale cinnamon below, covered with a 

 network of crimson lines — is a memorable sensation for the 

 elect. 



We may fancy the emotions of Mr. Roebelin on seeing 

 it — the earliest of articulate mortals so favoured. His 

 amazement and delight were not alloyed by anticipation, for 

 no rumour of the marvel had gone forth, Roebelin was 

 travelling 'on spec' for once. In 1879 ^'*- Zander learned 

 that the Philippine Government was about to establish a mail 

 service from Manila to Mindanao. Often had he surveyed 

 that great island longingly, from his arm-chair at St. Albans, 

 assured that treasures must await the botanist there. But 

 although the Spaniards had long held settlements upon the 

 coast, and, of course, claimed sovereignty over the whole, 

 there had hitherto been no regular means of communication 

 with a port whence steamers sailed for Europe, A collector 

 would be at the mercy of chance for transmitting his spoil, 

 after spending assuredly a thousand pounds. It was out of 

 the question. But the establishment of a line of steamers to 

 Manila transformed the situation. Forthwith Roebelin was 

 despatched, to find what he could. 



