The Culture of Greenhouse Orchids 



in the throat. But this is a species, not an albino 

 absolutely new and unique, unheard of even, no 

 price can be set on it. Orchidists may be relieved 

 to hear that a trusty man is on his way to collect 

 myriads if he can find them. 



" One or two little stories to encourage the thrifty 

 amateur. Among the first importation of Odont. 

 crispum which Messrs. Sander despatched to the 

 Continent, a lucky Frenchman obtained a piece for a 

 few francs, which proved to be Odont. apiatum, still 

 unique. Messrs. Sander bought it back at such 

 a long price that there was no extravagant profit 

 in the 150 guineas which Baron Schroder paid 

 them. The first Odont. vexillarium superbum ap- 

 peared in a lot which Mr. Bath, of Footscray, bought 

 at an average of 1(M each. He disposed of it at 

 auction to Sir Trevor Lawrence for 72 guineas. 

 Messrs. Sander once sold a quantity of Odont. Pes- 

 catorei at 2s. Qd. each (about) ; an amateur at 

 Beading found among them a natural hybrid of 

 Odont. Pescatorei and Odont. triumphans, which he 

 returned to St. Albans in exchange at the rate of 

 60 guineas. But there is really no end to such 

 cheerful legends." 



A second letter : " SIR, Companions of our 

 pleasant mystery point out that the uninitiated 

 may find confirmation of a gross popular error in 



58 



