68 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
Orchids; and here they are scattered, so that the best results are obtained 
by going across the rough country to any likely looking clump of trees. 
The whole district surrounding Shoaghyn is rich in Orchids, and the Sittang 
river affords a natural road. The Karen hills are also easily accessible from 
this side. 
It was in Shoaghyn that I first saw the pretty Dendrobium lasioglossum. 
Knowing how fond the Burmese ladies are of wearing Orchid flowers in 
their hair, I have always found it a good plan to visit the native market, 
to see what flowers are for sale. On my first visit to the market at this 
place I found bunches of this Dendrobium in flower. It is found about 
thirty miles out, but as our collectors do not now Visit this district this 
plant does not nowcome home. Not far from this, also at an easy distance, 
is found in quantity D. Bensoni# majus. This is immensely superior to 
the form found by Benson in the Arracan hills, and is now the variety most 
usually seen in collections. The plant is distinct, the bulbs being fat and 
plump, and not thin as in the form which grows in the Arracan hills. 
Shoaghyn is an excellent halting-place on the road, on account of the 
district being so richin Dendrobiums. It was here that Dendrobium -thyrsi- 
florum used to abound, until the district. was denuded by the collectors, 
but as for some years the collector has not been there, the plants have had 
time to re-establish themselves. If the traveller has an elephant with him, 
‘by making Shoaghyn his head-quarters, he can collect with comfort, as it is 
not difficult to get comfortable quarters there. It is an easy matter to 
collect Orchids if any one will go to the expense of hiring an elephant, but 
without one it is most difficult to penetrate into the most likely country. 
There is no better hunting-ground than a swamp in which are growing 
scattered trees. In such situations Orchids abound, and the various species 
can be gathered by hand from the elephant’s back. The greater number of 
the collectors I have met with make no personal search, but wait for what- 
ever the native collectors bring in for disposal. Certain varieties are 
required for the market, and these are alone brought in. 
‘That there are many good Orchids still to be found-in Burmah I feel 
convinced. Ground Orchids have been greatly neglected, and among these 
there are some beautiful things. I am aware that it is supposed that 
Burmah is practically worked out. A great deal was done by Parish, anda 
certain amount of work has been done by Dr. King, but there is still room 
for some one with plenty of time to take up the interesting task of searching 
for fresh treasures, and I hope that before long some one will be found to 
supplement the work already done. It is only by personal trouble that 
work of this kind can be accomplished, and the present. mode of sitting at 
home and sending native collectors out, | is not ogee to eee = 
novelties. e 
