IMPORTING ORCHIDS. 37 



- IMPORTING ORCHIDS, 



HAVING been repeatedly questioned in reference to this 

 important subject, perhaps a brief allusion to it here may not 

 be out of place, more especially as it is generally acknowledged 

 that there is much to do in this way ere even our great 

 collections approach completeness. We are moderately rich 

 in epiphytal species, but terrestrial Orchids are but poorly 

 represented, even in our best public and private collections, 

 and will no doubt continue to be so until private enterprise 

 clears the way to their introduction to this country. There 

 are many localities where an enterprising collector might do 

 well. The vegetation of Central Africa is as yet comparatively 

 unknown, though not unheard of, and even the plants of the 

 southern or Cape district, including some of the finest 

 terrestrial Orchids that could be grown, are as yet unknown 

 to cultivators. The Orchids of Upper and Lower Assam, 

 not to mention those of other parts of the great continent of 

 India, are in the main unknown to cultivators. Suddyah in 

 Upper Assam is a rich locality for new or rare plants, which 

 grow profusely in the neighbouring mountains. It is difficult 

 for any European to enter these mountain gorges, as the wild 

 tribes object to this ; they, however, allow natives to enter, 

 and they will bring down both flowers and plants, or both, for 

 a mere trifle. These tribes, the Mishmeys and Nagahs, come 

 down to Suddyah and Debrooghan to trade during the winter 

 season, and return during the warm season to their hills. An 

 officer lately in the Bengal army has kindly supplied me 

 with his experience of various parts of India, and mentions 

 many lovely Lilies, Primulas, Rhododendrons, and Ferns which 

 he has met with in profusion whilst hunting and shooting in 

 the mountains, but which he has never seen in cultivation. A 



