The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-06
A NEW FLORAL WONDER.
Sea-Guu Orchid, Only One ia Civilized
World, and Worth 1000 Gufneas.
London Daily Mail.


The annual Temple Gardens flower show
opens to-day and among the eXhlblts VIII
be an extraordinary orchid from the COL
lection of Mr. Sander, of st. Adams. IL Is a
specimen of the Cattleya Reineckiana.
The wings of it's -gull-l1ke blossom are
white as snow, While The body portion Is
of gold and Vermilion, eight inches across.
Ii is the largest and most beautiful cat
tleya ever known to the civilized world,
and it would take 600 guineas to buy IT,
Arnold, the famous orchid collector, sent II
home to Mr.. Sander just before he lost his
life while hunting for further similar treas
ures Arnold was the man who, While
travelling for Messrs. Sander in Venezuela,
made the acquaintance of young fellow
who appeared to be rowing for pleasure.
Arnold travelled with him for some dis
lance, but q few chance words In way
side inn made Arnold aware that the sup
posed pleasure seeker was really another
orchid collector bent on the same erranu
as himself, and using every means TO sup
plant him. At once Arnold drew his revolt
yer, and there and then gave his acquaint-
ance the option of either fighting a duel
with him or retiring from the field Inc
latter course was chosen.
circumstances which have never yet been
cleared up, is by no means solitary ex-
ample of the perils of orchid hunting ana
though in the more civilized districts the
work is comparatively easy, there are still
countries in which an orchid seeker may
be said to carry his life in his hands Mr..
Sander yesterday told a Daily Mail report
er that he mas at the present tlIne a cor
lector who has been in his service Tor years,
and was We'll acquainted with Arnold, WHO,
for love of his work, voluntarily offered to
go to the East in search of splendid or
child known to exist there, but of which
hitherto only one solitary specimen has
been sent home. magnificent kind In
floral beauty, it SurpaSSes all its kindred,
but its habitat is located on the terra of
skull hunters and skull collectors. Yet this
enthusiast, fully aware of the risks he
runs has started with the determination
to return with it. Those who know the
treacherOuS character of the Javan sea ma
tiVes and the deadly nature of the climate
found in the jungle and swampy districts,
Once before, taking advantage of punt
tive expedition organized by the chief or a
small island against q neighboring tribe, ne
was within a short distance of the locality
in which he believes the coveted treasure
to exist. and, possibly had the tribe he ac-
companied been victorious orchid collec-
tions would have been all the richer for
one more of natures choicest gems. But
it was not to be. The opposing tribe had
met with such a warm reception as caused
them to retreat with more precipitation
than in such climate and under such cir
cumstances, 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 kriss-
es. but fortunately he reached the boats in
safety though with the total loss OF his
equipment. and finally arrived al Sfnga-
pore one experience such this would
be sufficient for most men. but, nothing
daunted he has returned again TO try TO
secure the orchid. No news has yet been
heard of his luck.