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 are 

 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 1 845, 

 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. Purdie, Seemann, Milne, Barter, and Mann. 

 The first of these, Mr. William 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. 



