HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION OF EXOTIC FERNS. 11 



the Congo, in 1816, though I believe it possible that 

 some of the first-known Western- African species aro 

 attributable to him. Lockhart was one of the few 

 who did not fall a victim to the deadly climate of that 

 country. After lying a long time in the hospital at 

 Bahia, he returned to England, and shortly afterwards 

 received the appointment of Superintendent of the- 

 Botanic Garden in Trinidad, where he died in 1845 r 

 after a service of a quarter of a century in that island,, 

 during which period he sent many fine plants to Kew. 



The principal collectors employed directly or indi- 

 rectly in the service of Kew during the Directorship of 

 Sir William Hooker, and to whom the garden is in- 

 debted for any additions to its Fern collection, are 

 Messrs. Pur die, Seemann, Milne, Barter, and Mann. 

 The first of these, Mr. Y^illiam Purdie, was engaged as- 

 collector in 1843, in which year he was despatched to 

 Jamaica, and after spending several months in the- 

 exploration of that island, and forwarding many 

 valuable plants to Kew, he proceeded to Santa 

 Martha, and was employed for more than two- 

 years in various parts of New Granada. To him we 

 are indebted not only for numerous showy flowering* 

 plants, but for a considerable number of our garden 

 Ferns. 



Upon the death of Mr. Thomas Edmonston,* Mr. 

 (now Dr.) Berthold Seemann was appointed his suc- 

 cessor, as botanist to H.M.S. Herald, and joined that 

 vessel at Panama, in January, 1847, remaining with her 

 until her return to England in June, 1851. Previously 



* Mr. Edmonston was shot by the accidental discharge of a 

 rifle, at Sua Bay, Ecuador, January 24, 1846. 



