ORCHID NAMES 



This is a hateful theme. Assuredly I have no 

 prejudice against things Greek ; quite the reverse. 

 I offer myself a victim to all the gods of Philistia 

 by confessing that the story of mankind lost its 

 highest interest for me when Philoposmen perished 

 — if he might truly be called ultimus GrKcorum. 

 But that is not the point of view which concerns us. 

 Orchids have been damned by their names. I 

 recollect the words of a friendly editor, credited, 

 above all, with judgment in appreciating the 

 public taste. I had proposed to write some narra- 

 tives of adventure, since published, based on the 

 discovery of certain species. Said he, " Couldn't 

 you hang your stories on some other peg ? The 

 British public hates orchids ! " I had already 

 cause to suspect that it was so, and I asked of this 

 sagacious expert what the reason might be ? 

 " Oh, it's the names, I suppose ! " he answered. 

 Also, traditions not yet dispelled have their 

 influence, no doubt. Orchids are still regarded as 



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