HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION OF EXOTIC FERNS. 11 
the Congo, in 1816, though I believe it possible that 
some of the first-known Western- African species are 
attributable to him. Lockhart was one of the few 
who did not fall a victim to the deadly climate of that 
country. After lying a long time in the hospital at 
Bahia, he returned to England, and shortly afterwards 
received the appointment of Superintendent of the 
Botanic Garden in Trinidad, where he died in 1845, 
after a service of a quarter of a century in that island, 
during which period he sent many fine plants to Kew. 
The principal collectors employed directly or indi- 
rectly in the service of Kew during the Directorship of 
Sir William Hooker, and to whom the garden is in- 
debted for any additions to its Fern collection, are 
Messrs. Purdie, Seemann, Milne, Barter, and Mann. 
The first of these, Mr. William Purdie, was engaged as 
collector in 1843, in which year he was despatched to 
Jamaica, and after spending several months in the 
exploration of that island, and forwarding many 
valuable plants to Kew, he proceeded to Santa 
Martha, and was employed for more than two 
years in various parts of New Granada. To him we 
are indebted not only for numerous showy flowering 
plants, but for a considerable number of our garden 
Ferns. 
Upon the death of Mr. Thomas Edmonston,* Mr. 
(now Dr.) Berthold Seemann was appointed his suc- 
cessor, as botanist to H.M.S. Herald , and joined that 
vessel at Panama, in January, 1847, remaining with her 
until her return to England in June, 1851. Previously 
* Mr. Edmonston was shot by the accidental discharge of a 
rifle, at Sua Bay, Ecuador, January 24, 1846. 
