xii PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION. 



for Orchids, and 14 silver ones for Ferns. Mr. Warner's 

 collection not being so large as those of many others, it 

 was only the last two years that Mr. Williams competed 

 in the highest class of twenty plants." 



Since the first appearance of these observations, I 

 have revised them, and have added notices of several 

 desirable, showy, and new species ; and the following 

 pages will contain short and plain, but, it is believed, 

 accurate descriptions of more than 260 of the best 

 Orchids now in cultivation. I cannot resist this oppor- 

 tunity of expressing my gratification at finding that it 

 has come to my knowledge that the publication of these 

 papers has already induced several persons to commence 

 the cultivation of this interesting class of plants. 



B. S. W. 



