120 THE WOODLANDS ORCHIDS 



sacred idols should travel with the plants, and be treated with 

 all honour on the way. They would not assist in collecting, 

 but after the distribution of brass wire they helped to pack 



the cases. 



Thus it happened that one of the Dendrobes sold at 

 ' Protheroe's ' on October i6, 1891, was attached to a human 

 skull. As for the idols, they were bought by the Hon. 

 Walter Rothschild, and we are free to hope that they are 

 treated with reverence, as per agreement. 



