LIBRARY 

 NEW YORK 



INTRODUCTION Ta^'r^'den'' 



The purpose of the serial of which this fascicle is the initial 

 number is to illustrate, from type material when possible, new or 

 recently described orchid species, and species heretofore inade- 

 quately figured ; to publish the original descriptions of all species 

 so figured, with additional characterizations, full synonomy, and 

 geographical distribution ; to furnish descriptions and descriptive 

 lists of orchidaceous plants, which may prove useful in the study 

 of regional floras ; and to communicate the results of critical in- 

 vestigations among special genera. 



The first of these objects when properly fulfilled is of unques- 

 tioned benefit, as a careful drawing more quickly brings to mind 

 the character of a plant than does the most skilful and lucid 

 word-picture, especially when the distinctions an author may wish 

 to accentuate are subtle or based on comparative values. Further- 

 more, portraits of types with analytical figures to show generic 

 and specific characters are most serviceable in the absence of 

 authentic material, and reduce to a great extent the tedious re- 

 search and endless perplexity which often attend the determina- 

 tion of an unknown plant. 



Original descriptions are of necessity widely scattered in mono- 

 graphic works, floras, and periodical literature, so that to consult 

 them is not always possible or convenient. To assemble the 

 original descriptions of even the few species treated of in this 

 serial will, it is hoped, prove serviceable. The additional obser- 

 vations must frequently take the form of redescriptions based on 

 extensive collections, and are intended not only to amplify, where 

 this is necessary, the work of the author of a given species, but 



