A NEW FLORAL WONDBK. 



[From tlio London Mall.] 

 The amuml Temple garJens flower sliovv 

 opens to-day, and among the exhibits will 

 bo an oxlraordinary oreliid from llie collec- 

 tion of Mr Bander of St Albana. It is a 

 specimen of the Cattleya Reineckiana. The 

 wings of its scagnll-lilie blossom are white 

 as snow, while .the body portion is of gold 

 and vermilion, eight inches across. It ia 

 the largest ,and most beautiful Cattleya 

 ever known to the civilized world, and it 

 would take 1000 guineas to buy it. Ar- 

 nold, the famous orchid collector, sent it' 

 home to Mr Sander just before he lost his 

 life while hunting for further similar 

 treasures. Arnold was the man who, while 

 traveling for Messrs Sander in Venezuela, 

 made the acquaintance of a young fellow 

 who appeared to be roving for pleasure. 

 Arnold traveled with him for some dis- 

 tance, but a few chance words in a way- 

 side inn made Arnold aware that the sup- 

 nosed pleasure-seeker was really another 

 orchid collector, bent on the same errand 

 as himself, and using every means to sup- 

 plant him. At once Arnold -drew his re- 

 volver, and there and then gave his ac- 

 quaintance the option of either fighting a 

 duel with him or retiring from the field.. 

 The latter course was chosen. 

 * Arnold's death, soon afterward, under, 

 circumstances which have never yet been 

 cleared up, is by no means a solitary ex- 

 t ample of the perils of orchid hunting, and ■ 

 ! though in the more civilized districts the] 

 > work is comparatively easy, there are still; 

 '• countries in which an orchid seeker may* 

 • lie said to carry his life in his hands. Mr 

 Sander yesterday told a .Daily Mail report- 

 er that ho has at the present time a col- 

 lector wlio has been in his service for 

 years, and was well acquainted with Ar- 

 nold, who for love of his work voluntarily , 

 offered to go to the Kast in search of a 

 splendid orcnid known to exist there, but of 

 which hitherto only one solitary specimen 

 has been sent home. A magnilicent kind 

 in floral beauty, it surpass&j all its kin- 

 dred, but its habitat is located on the terra 

 of skull hunters and skull collectors. Jet 

 this enthusiast, fully awaro of the risks he 

 runs, has started with the determination 

 to return with it. Those who know the 

 treacherous character of the Javan sea na- 

 tives, and the deadly nature of the climate 

 found in the- jungle and swampy districts, 

 will obtain a slight idea of his undertakinjj. 

 Once before, taking advantage of a puni- 

 tive expedition organized by the chief of a 

 small island against a neighboring tribe, he 

 was within a short distance of the locality 

 ik which lie believes the coveted treaoure 

 to exist, and possibly, had the ti'ilie he ac- 

 companied been victorious, orchid collec- 

 tions would have been all the richer for 

 one more of nature's choicest gems. But it 

 was not to be. The opposing tribe; had re- 

 ceived notice, and the collector's friends 

 met with such a warm reception as caused 

 them to retreat with more precipitation 

 than in such a climate, and under such 

 circumstances, is conducive to comfort. 

 More than one narrow escape befell the 

 collector. The scar from a jagged fish spear 

 which grazed his cheek still remains, .and 

 shortly after he found himself facing two 

 of the enemy, armed with their long, curved 

 krisses, but fortunately he reached the 

 boats in safety, though with the total los5 

 of his equipment, and finally arrived at 

 Singapore. One experience such as this 

 would be sufficient for most men, but, noth- 

 ing daunted, he has returned again to try 

 to secure the orchid. No news has yet 

 beenSheard of his luck. 



