succession of brilliant discoveries. These discoveries, so numerous twenty years 
ago, gradually became less frequent, but it appears probable that this auspi- 
cious vein may re-open, and we hope to see the return of this heroic epoch, 
not only, as I wrote in December, for the genus Cattleya, but for the whole family 
of Orchids. 
The group of four novelties which are figured in the présent part, furnish an 
excellent example in proof of the preceding argument. A certain number of 
others hâve either flowered already, are now in flower, or will be very soon, and 
will also be reproduced in succeeding parts; forming, I am persuaded, one of the 
richest collections of documents in the whole history of Orchids. 
I hope, therefore, that this new édition will be favourably received by the 
numerous public in England, who are occupied in the cultivation of Orchids, 
with a zeal so enlightened and a success so brilliant. Whatever the cause of this 
success, I consider it a suffîcient recompense for the good-will which has hitherto 
been accorded me by my subscribers to the French édition, and a satisfaction 
which has often proved an incentive to labour. 
As to the title of the work I hâve perhaps also to explain to my English 
readers. In establishing this Album devoted to Orchids I hâve wished to place 
it under the patronage of my venerable and revered father, M. John Jules 
Linden. No one, I hope, would wish to censure this homage, rendered by his 
son to a father who has introduced directly more than 1000 species of unknown 
Orchids, who has devoted ail his life to the sciences of botany and horticulture, 
and who has not ceased during the last fifty years to dote on ail his valuable 
discoveries.. My father travelled for twelve years, and during that time intro¬ 
duced a considérable number of plants. 
I hâve, moreover, only followed the example of a. master universally res- 
pected, the late D r Lindley, who published one of his works under the title 
“ Orchidaceae Lindenianae. ” 
Brussels, January 1891. The Publisher, 
Lucien Linden. 
