1 64 THE WOODLANDS ORCHIDS 



is a thicket, green and strong and pleasant to the eye, 

 crowned with the flowers of Paradise, snow-white, several 

 inches broad, but tender and dainty as the lily of the valley. 

 Though open to the widest, and exquisitely frilled, their 

 petals are crumpled ; you might think fairies had been 

 gauffering them and left the work incomplete, surprised 

 by dawn. Baron Schroder and Mr. Wilson of West- 

 brook, Sheffield, had the only plants in England then ; 

 M. Kienast-Zolly, Consul at Zurich, the only plant known 

 elsewhere — a piece cut off when he sold the bulk. That 

 such a marvel had a legend I did not doubt. It is, in fact, 

 an albino of the common Sobralia macrantha ; in speaking 

 of it, by the way, to scientific persons, or in referring to 

 books, the word ' macrantha ' must be introduced. The 

 family is Central American, and examples reach this country 

 especially from Mexico. A variety so rare and so charming 

 would be found in some hardly known spot. But orchids 

 do not live in the desert. It would be strange if Indians 

 had not noticed such a wonder, and if they noticed, assuredly 

 they would prize it. They would not allow the plant to be 

 removed under ordinary conditions ; if a price were accepted 

 it would be very high, but more probably no sum would 

 tempt them. Therefore did I conclude at sight that Sobralia 

 Kienastiana had its legend. And I traced without difficulty 

 the outline which I have filled up. 



M. Kienast - Zolly dwelt many years at Orizaba in 

 Mexico, where he collected orchids with enthusiasm for his 

 own delight. An Indian servant gave zealous help, partly, 

 doubtless, for love of the flowers, but partly also for love 

 of the master whose ' bread he had eaten ' from childhood 

 — and still eats, I believe. This man, Pablo, ceaselessly 

 inquired for rarities among his own people, made journeys, 

 bargained, bought, and by times, they say — but stole is not 

 the proper word to use when an object has no owner nor 



