HORTUS VEITCHII 



entered our service as a traveller, and made several journeys 

 to South America in search of Orchids. 



The special object for which Chesterton was engaged was the 

 introduction of the much-talked-of and long- desired " scarlet 

 Odontoglossum " (Miltonia vexillaria), the existence of which 

 was made known through Bowman, afterwards by Wallis 

 and Roezl, all of whom made unsuccessful attempts at its 

 introduction. 



Provided with but the scantiest information as to the native 

 habitat, long kept secret and shrouded in mystery, Chesterton 

 started, and not only succeeded in discovering the plant, 

 but safely introduced it to Chelsea, where it flowered for the 

 first time in 1873. Some of the finest forms of Odonto- 

 glossum crispum were sent home by Chesterton, one named 

 Chestertonii by Professor Reichenbach in compliment to its 

 discoverer : some fine Masdevallias were also sent home, 

 including the beautiful Masdevallia coccinea Harryana. 



After his engagement with us terminated Chesterton 

 continued to collect plants on his own behalf and for several 

 other firms until his death, which took place in South America 

 in 1883. 



The following obituary note was contained in the Shipping 

 List of January 30th 1883 : 



"Mr. J. H. Chesterton, the botanist, died at Puerto Berrio 

 on the 26th. He had been quite ill, but left the hotel 

 ' San Nicholas,' thinking that he had sufficiently improved 

 to be able to make his trip up the river. Sad mistake ! 

 He continued to decline, and was barely put on shore at 

 Puerto Berrio ere he died. Poor Chesterton's reckless spirit 

 rendered him very efficient as a plant- collector." 



Reference: " Veitchs' Man. Orch. PI." pt. viii. p. 113. 



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