6 M)\ Collets Botanical Researches in Guiana. 



were ever found growing on the same tree. Perhaps the most 

 beautiful epiphyte yet introduced to this country is one which 

 has recently flowered at Messrs. Loddiges's, and which is called 

 by Dr. Lindley, in honour of its discoverer, Oncidium Lance- 

 dnum. It is remarkable that this plant afforded the only instance 

 observed by Mr. Colley of the attention either of the settlers 

 or natives being attracted by Orchidese. In proceeding up the 

 large river, he met with a man who had growing near his door, 

 a plant of this species, which, according to his account, had ar- 

 rested his notice by its delightful and powerful fragrance, long 

 before he either saw the plant or could find where it grew. 

 Neither money nor entreaty could induce him to part with it; 

 and though he took Mr. Colley to the spot where he obtained it, 

 not another morsel of it could be found : Mr. Colley, however, 

 met with it in another place. 



It may be asked, " How are you to know how many, if any, 

 of the plants will be new ? " To this I reply, that, although 

 there are upwards of three hundred in cultivation, among which 

 there is so strong a family likeness that many persons, especially 

 ladies, are perpetually pronouncing them to be " all exactly 

 alike ; " still so wonderfully are the pseudo-bulbs and stems 

 varied, that an eye conversant with Orchidese will at first sight 

 pronounce a species to be newly or previously introduced, and 

 very rarely prove mistaken in its decision. 



Among the general collections of Mr. Colley are the seeds of 

 many beautiful climbing plants, several of which there is every 

 reason to believe new, inasmuch as Mr. Colley, though well 

 acquainted with the different plants cultivated in our stoves, 

 has never seen anything at all like them before. There are 

 also seeds, somewhat resembling those of the beech, borne in 

 large clusters, from which the Indian belles obtain a reddish 

 orange colour, which they use to heighten the beauty of their 

 complexions. 



For the benefit of future collectors, I must warn them against 

 the use of an Indian-rubber cloak in a tropical country; for the 

 heat of the sun soon melts the preparation, w^hich, of course, not 

 only ceases to exclude the wet, but glues itself to the skin. 



It now only remains for me to add of Mr. Colley, that, though 

 often exposed to the drenching dews of night, in a hammock 

 slung between two trees, and though harassed by privations in 

 every form, still such was his iron constitution, that, during the 

 whole five months of his stay, he enjoyed the most perfect health. 

 This, and his own enthusiasm for the pursuit, eminently fit him 

 for a botanical collector ; and, as he has so satisfactorily fulfilled 

 his engagement to me, I should have great pleasure in recom- 

 mending him to any society or individual who might be disposed 

 to employ him in a similar capacity. 



