CHAPTER IV. 



COLLECTION AND TRANSPORTATION. 



AS much depends upon the care used in the collection 

 of Orchids, and as the most healthy plants may be 

 ruined by careless packing and transportation, a chapter 

 on these subjects may not be out of place. It is easy to 

 collect Orchids which grow on the ground or on the lower 

 branches of trees. Those in healthy and vigorous con- 

 dition should be selected, as offering the greatest chances 

 of exportation in a living state. All, which by their foliage 

 appear to be of different species, should be collected, for 

 unless the plants are in bloom no judgment can be formed 

 of what the flower will be, and the foliage is no criterion 

 of excellence, many Orchids with insignificant foliage pro- 

 ducing the most gorgeous flowers. 



It is not easy to collect Orchids which grow upon the 

 lofty trees, where their presence is only known by the 

 brilliancy of the flowers, or their powerful perfume. To 

 climb them, is almost impossible, on account of the height, 

 and not unattended with danger because of the poisonous 

 snakes which frequently lurk in the crotches of the 

 branches, or hide in the hollows of the trunk. 



The only means of getting them is to cut down the 

 tree, which is by no means an easy task ; the wood is like 

 iron, and turns the edge of the best tempered axe ; this, 

 together with the immensity of the tree, presents almost 

 insuperable obstacles to collectors. When, however, the 



