8 orohid-gkower's manual. 



In bringing these introductory remarks to a close, we 

 desire to record our deep sense of the obligations we owe to 

 the many travellers and collectors who have added so largely 

 to our knowledge of Orchids, and who have laboured so 

 arduously and incessantly to enable us to enjoy the beauties 

 of the choicest productions of the vegetable world without 

 meeting the dangers and difficulties with which they have had 

 to contend. We allude specially to such men as the brothers 

 Lobb, Hartweg, J. G. Veitch, Colonel Benson, O'Reilly, Rev. 

 C. Parish, Pearce, Bowmann, Weir, Hutton, Kramer, Porte, 

 Wallis, Linden, Skinner, Hugh Low, Schhm, Warscewicz, 

 Blunt, Roezl, Klaboch, Endi-es, Chesterton, and many others 

 Avho might be named, did space permit. Many of them, 

 alas ! have fallen victims to the fatigues of the undertaking, 

 and the pestilential climates to which they have been ex- 

 posed, thus suffering martyrdom for the cause of horticulture. 

 These were men who had in view the advancement of science, 

 and the enriching of our collections with new forms of plant 

 life ; and their example might be followed with advantage by 

 many of the latter day collectors, who, instead of sending 

 home a few plants in good order, allowing the skill of the 

 cultivator to grow and increase them at home, seem determined 

 to exterminate certain kinds of Orchids from their natural 

 localities, without any one deriving benefit thereby. When 

 such vast quantities are gathered, they arrive in this country 

 in an almost putrid state arising from overcrowding and 

 heating ; whilst, had a few dozens only been sent, and that 

 with proper care in packing, they would in all probability 

 have arrived in a living state. We are glad to find, however, 

 that latterly collectors are gaining more experience in this 

 matter, both as regards packing and means of transit, and that 

 plants arrive now in far better condition than was formerly 

 the case. 



