INTRODUCTION. XV 



and when we have done with these, there are de- 

 vices and tintings enough for the fabrication of a new 

 heraldry. Looking at the comparative novelty of the 

 knowledge of Orchids, of course we have to re- 

 member that our forefathers had not opportunities 

 like our own, and that the countries producing these 

 plants were seldom visited. Orchids need not have 

 remained unknown, because they are diminutive and 

 short-lived. That some are pigmies is shown in the 

 little Drymoda ; but Oncidium altissitmtm has golden 

 panicles nine or ten feet in length ; many Dendrobes 

 and some of the Laelias measure as much from root 

 to apex, and the reed-like Sobralias in their native 

 countries are thrice the height of a man. So with 

 their duration. Excepting as to their flower stems, 

 no Orchids are either annual or biennial, while many 

 are absolutely longeval. Colonel Benson tells us 

 of a Saccolabium giganteum in Burmah, which he es- 

 timated by trustworthy marks to be above one hun- 

 dred years old. 



" Living so long, Orchids, well managed, thus offer 

 not only beauty, but a thoroughly sound investment 

 for capital, their money value increasing every day, 

 and when of good quality they bring prices compar- 

 able with those of pictures. 



"At a sale this last summer (1875), the following 

 prices were obtained : 



"Cypripcdium Lowii, 220 shillings. Oncidium splen- 

 didum, eight bulbs, two young growths, 630 s. Sacco- 

 labium Russellianum, fourteen leaves, 588 s. Sacco- 



