THE ORCHID REVIEW. 293 
Wedderburn was an enthusiastic amateur of Orchids, and, as need hardly 
be explained, was in the habit of visiting the Sale Rooms where things new 
and strange are sometimes to be found. One day, after a preliminary 
to his I keeper that he felt as if something was about to 
happen, he started out to attend a great sale of Orchids from India and the 
Andaman Islands, the spoils of a collector who was never heard of again, 
though, of course, his plants were. Nothing very important happened, 
however, at least so it might appear to the casual observer, though he 
secured the inevitable ‘‘ few dried sticks,” including the very one under 
which the collector’s dead body was found, and these were deposited 
lovingly on the dinner table, pro. tem., for the facts being detailed over the 
soup nearly led te a contretemps, and the things had to be removed in 
deference to the prejudices of the worthy housekeeper. Next day there 
were great preparations for potting the new arrivals, which being duly 
accomplished, they were placed in the Orchid house, and progress was 
teported from time to time. Eventually all proved dead but the one afore- 
mentioned, on which a new growth appeared. Nothing, however, would 
reconcile the worthy housekeeper to it; it was enough that she saw the 
“tentacles” gradually developing. In due time the buds appeared, and the 
psychological moment was at hand when they would unfold their mysteries. 
Our hero now sallied forth to inspect the wonder. It would at least bea new 
Species, possibly a new genus. He entered the house. Could it be? Yes, 
there were the strangely marked blossoms, and he inspected them eagerly. 
They were scented, too. But what is this ?—a haze floated before his eyes, 
his head began to swim, he swayed and—Had the sight been too much for 
him ? 
Dinner waited, but our hero came not. Had he not gone to inspect Gr 
new Orchid? so our housekeeper wended her way in that direction. But 
on opening the door what a sight met her view. There was our hero on 
the floor, with the tentacles of the plant entwined around his prostrate 
form. The brave woman rushed to the rescue. But the smell 1 Her 
head, too, began to swim, and another catastrophe was ae 
Quickly realising the situation she made a dash for the door, aa 
fortunately teached in time, and with a suitable weapon the glass o "@ 
Structure was quickly demolished, allowing the smell to diffuse. Agar ASF 
dashed to the scene of the tragedy, and this time succeeded in rr, 
hero ftom the clutches of the monster, whose tentacles naturally ei 
Considerable damage. The handy man now turned up, and the ve This 
bore off to the house, where he was slowly nursed back to life ct 
's the outline, and my readers can fill in the details for themselves 
Please, should they fail to fall in with the original. 
