PREFACE. E. 
They are by no means complete, but alist of the contents of each has been kept, and 
it is intended, from time to time, to fill up the blanks, so as ultimately to have every 
species represented in them. The specimens thus issued have been poisoned and 
mounted on cartridge paper, and each sheet has been examined by Mr. Pantling 
prior to issue; and, in token of his belief in the accuracy of its name, it bears 
his initials. 
The herbaria to which these twelve sets have been issued are the following .— _ 
Kew ; British Museum ; Jardin des Plantes, Paris; Royal Herbarium, Berlin ; M. De 
Candolle's Herbarium, Geneva; Vienna (Hofmuseum); Brussels; Florence; St. Peters- 
' burg; Harward (United States of America) ; Leiden and Upsala. 
The warmest thanks of Mr. Pantling and myself are due to Sir Joseph Hooker, 
G.C.S.L, F.R.S., for the interest which he has taken in the progress of the work, and for 
much encouragement and sagacious advice; to Mr. W. T. Thiselton Dyer, F.R.S., C.M.G., 
с.т.ғ., Director of the Royal Garden, Kew, for his courtesy in allowing comparisons of 
critical species to be made with the rich orchid collections of the Royal Garden by 
Mr. В. A. Rolfe, whose knowledge of orchids is so extensive; and to Mr. W. Botting 
Hemsley, F.R.s., of the same Herbarium, for kind assistance. 
From my colleague, Dr. D. Prain, I have received much willing help and excellent 
advice during the progress of the work, and also in the issue of the named sets 
of specimens. 
GEORGE KING. 
Royal BOTANIC GARDEN, 
| CALCUTTA ; 
28th February 1898. 
