PREFACE 



Fifteen years have elapsed since the pubHcation, in 1896^ 

 of the first vohime of this work ; and, although this delay has 

 arisen from causes entirely beyond my own control, viz., from 

 advancing years and ill-health, yet I feel that some explanation 

 is due to the purchasers of the previous volume who may wish 

 t(^ have what they would call and consider a "complete" work. 



This wish is very natural. But in the present instance I 

 fear that from the very nature of the case it can hardly be 

 fulfilled by myself. In a country like the South African Union, 

 so imperfectly explored and so difficult of exploration by 

 botanical collectors, some years must elapse before the same 

 proportion of the existing vegetation can be known, as is the 

 case in older and more populous countries, such as Great Britain. 

 Still the work goes on though it continues slowly, and many 

 new species have been added to the list of known South 

 African Orchids during the last twenty years. 



As I have endeavoured to draw the Orchids here figured 

 from living plants only, and have succeeded in a large proportion 

 of cases in doing so, yet this naturally presents many difficulties. 

 At seventy-seven years of age one cannot be constantly travelling, 

 and one is therefore dependent to a great extent on the good-will 

 and kind assistance of friends and others interested in the subject, 

 often living at a distance or travelling in other parts of the 

 Colony. Amongst these, and in addition to those mentioned 

 in the preface to the first volume, must now be named, first 

 and foremost, with my expression of the warmest gratitude. 

 Miss Alice Pegler, of Kentani, Tembuland, who, in spite of 

 delicate health, has been indefatigable in exploring the Flora 

 of her neighbourhood, of which she has sent a large collection, 

 amongst which are numerous Orchids, some of which will be 

 found figured in this volume. 



Also, I am greatly indebted to Miss C. B. Newdigate, of 

 Forest Hall, near Plettenberg Bay and Knysna, who has most 



