Lindlei/s Seriiim Orchidaceum. 14-9 



place a much higher value on botanical accuracy, than on beauty 

 of execution ; but we think that, in such works as Mr. Bate- 

 man's and Dr. Lindley's both ought to be united in a high 

 degree. 



To enable the reader who has an opportunity of seeing the 

 Sertum and the Floral Cabinet to judge for himself, we re- 

 quest him to compare Stanhopea devoniensis, Sertum, pi. 1., with 

 Myanthus barbatus. Floral Cabinet, No. 37. ; Burlingtonm ve- 

 nusta, Sertum, pi. 2., with Cattleya labiata, Floral Cabinet, No. 26". 

 The remainder of the plates of orchideous plants in the Floral 

 Cabinet will very well bear comparison with the other plates in 

 the Sertum and the Orchidacea;. 



We call attention to this circumstance, as remarkable, ad as 

 deserving the attention of Dr. Lindley and Mr. Bateman. It is 

 evident that, if, in a cheap publication like the Floral Cabinet^ 

 such superiority of execution can be produced, it only requires 

 some improvement in the system of management to introduce at 

 least an equal style of art in metropolitan publications of a more 

 ambitious character. We feel confident that all the parties inte- 

 rested will thank us for calling their attention to the subject. 

 There can be no flowers more worthy of being represented in the 

 highest style of art than those of the Orchidaceae. 



It is almost needless to add that, though the Orchidaceae and the 

 Sertum are not absolute perfection in regard to the execution of 

 the plates, yet they arein every other respect so excellent, and 

 in pointy of magnificence so far before all other works on the 

 Orchidacese, that they cannot fail to command the admiration of 

 all botanists and patrons of botany ; and there is no doubt in our 

 minds, that, in this country, and at the present time, the demand 

 for them will be such as to pay their respective authors for their 

 liberality and public spirit in undertaking such works. It is true 

 the great demand of the public is for low-priced works, but there 

 is also a demand for what is truly excellent, without regard to 

 price. The Sertum Orchidaceum is dedicated to the Duke of 

 Devonshire, in the following words : •' To the munificent patron 

 of art, the princely friend of science, especially of botany ; at 

 whose command the noble palace and gardens of Chatsworth 

 have been created, rather than restored, in the heart of the wild 

 hills of Derbyshire, this history of some of the most beautiful of 

 his favourite flowers is gratefully dedicated by His Grace's most 

 faithful and most devoted servant, — The Author" 



The species described in Part i. are : Stanhbpea devoniensis, 

 pi. i. ; Burlingtonza venustaj pL ii. ; Dendrobium nobile, pi. iii. ; 

 Cymbidium giganteum, pi. iv. ; Cattl^ya bicolor, pi. v. f. i. ; 

 Sophronitis grandiflora, pi. v. f. 2. The first and the third 

 of these are introduced ; and such particulars of them as are 

 necessary to enable us to enter them in their proper places in 



L 3 



