STORY OF CYPRIPEDIUM CURTISII 189 



there was an inscription — ' C.C.'s contribution to the adorn- 

 ment of this room.' 



Hurriedly he sought a pencil and wrote — ' Contribution 

 accepted, Cypripedium collected, C. E,' 



It was not such a smart replique as the occasion seems to 

 demand. But Ericsson is perfectly well satisfied with it to 

 this day. 



We can imagine how blithely he set to work that morn- 

 ing. Cypripedium Curtisii was selling in London at the 

 moment for many guineas — a small plant too. And he had 

 found the goose with golden eggs innumerable, waiting to 

 be picked up. These orchids ' travel ' well. There was no 

 great distance to carry them before embarkation. The 

 good fellow's fortune was made, and he had the pleasure of 

 knowing it well earned. 



With such cheerful thoughts, Ericsson sallied out day 

 after day for a while, searching the mountain. He had a 

 following of miscellaneous ' natives ' by this time, experienced 

 in their work. The neighbourhood was rich. Every 

 evening they brought in a load of orchids more or less 

 valuable, but never Cypripedium Curtisii. He engaged men 

 of the district and showed them the picture. Some recog- 

 nised it, and undertook to bring specimens ; but they were 

 always mistaken. The invalids withdrew, one after another. 

 Ericsson found himself alone. His accumulated spoil of 

 plants, well worth shipping, began to be as much as he could 

 transport. As time went by, despair possessed him. After 

 all, it did not follow that Mr. Curtis had found the prize 

 just here because he painted it on the wall. To discover a 

 new and fine orchid is a great achievement, and the lucky 

 man might very well commemorate it anywhere when 

 choosing a device. 



Finally, 'time was up.' To wait longer would be 

 sacrificing the great heap of treasures secured. After 



