PIlorKKDIN'OS OK THE 



tlio limits of snow, bnl tin* lii^lu'st /oiu's of the inouiitaiiis will 

 funusl) beautiful (ircoiihouse shrubs and bulbs, annuals, or her- 

 baixHius plants, which will live in the open garden during our 

 own summer weather. While, however, these are the j;^reat 

 objects of Nour mission, Orchidaceous epipliytes and stove plants 

 are to be gathered where opportunities occur, as must continuallv 

 happen. Having arrived at ^ anta I c you will be within reach of 

 the Ma^dalena, atid will r-onsecjuently ha\e a direct water com- 

 iiiunication with Santa Martlia and Cart hagcjia. It is desirable 

 that vou >i)ou!d well c\:imine the country in the nciglibourhood 

 of this ca))ital, and torm extensi\e collections, because there will 

 be no want of means of transport ; and when you have gathered 

 together what is most worthy of preservation, \ou will embark 

 on the Magdalcna w ith your collections, and return to England by 

 Hay of Santa Martha or Carthagena. You are, however, to 

 understand, that these instructions are merely iniended to express 

 the wishes of the Council in a general way, and that you are at 

 liberty to exercise your own discretion in regard to the manner of 

 carrying them into execution j the Society having a lirm reliance 

 upon your prudence and judgment ; and feeling persuaded that 

 no specific orders from England can be so framed as to provide 

 against tiie contingencies of a journey through countries so little 

 known to Europeans. ^ ou will, therefore, consult Mr. Skinner, 

 and your other Guatemala friends, as to the most proper course 

 for you to pursue ; and we trust they will furnish you with letters 

 to their correspondents and agents in the places to which you 

 may proceed. The English government have instructed their 

 agents to give you all possible assistance, and the Treasurer of 

 the Society will make arrangements for the necessary supply of 

 money for your journey. At Santa Fe you will find Mr. Turner, 

 the Ikitish Envoy to that state, who is now in London, and who 

 will be returned before you can reach that place. We shall 

 endeavour to interest him warmly in your favour. With regard 

 to packing your seeds I cannot too strongly recommend you to 

 carry them in open canvas bags well and freely exposed to the 

 air, and, in sending them to Europe by way of Cape Horn, a very 

 great point would be gained, if you could induce the captain of 

 any vessel that may bring them to sling your seeds in his cabin. 

 We should be willing to make him any reasonable remuneration 

 for his doing so. The last cases of Orchidaceje from Behze have 

 arrived in good order ; but it is evident that they would have been 

 in still better condition if the large masses of epiphytes had been 

 nailed firmly to the sides of the boxes, so that the centre might 

 remain free from pressure, for the plants which had suffered were 

 those in the centre of the chests, where they had fermented a 

 little." Signed, John Lixdley, Vice Secretary. 



