The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-04
A NEW FLORAL WONDER.
Largest and Most Beautiful CattlcyR
on Exhibition In London.
From the London Mail.


From the London Mail
The annual Temple Gardens flower show
opens to-day, and among the exhibits will
be an extraordinary orchid from the col
lection of Mr.. Sander of st. Adams. 1t is
a specimen of the Catt1eya Reineckiana.
The wings of its seagull-like blossom are
white as snow, while the body portion is
of gold and vermillion, eight inches across.
1t is the largest and most beautiful Gait
leya ever known in the civilized world,
and it would take 1000 guineas to buy it.
Arnold, 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
taveling for Messrs. Sander in Venezuela,
made the acquaintance of a young fellow
who appeared to be rowing for pleasure.
Arnold travelled with him for some dis
lance, but few chance words in a way
side inn made Arnold aware that the sup
posed pleasure seeker was really another
orchid collector, bent on the same errand
as himself, and using every means to
supplant him. At once Arnold drew his
revolver 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-
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
be said to carry his life in his hands
Mr.. Sander told Daily Mail reporter
that he has at the present time a col
lector who has been in his service for
years, and was well acquainted with Ar
mold, who for love of his work voluntar-
lily offered to go TO the east in search OF a
splendid orchid known to exist there, but
of which only one solitary specimen has
been sent home.
A 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 start
ed with the determination to return with
It. Those who know the treacherous char
acter OF the Javan sea natives, and the
deadly nature OF the climate found In the
Jungle and swampy districts, will obtain
a slight idea OF his undertaking. Once be-
fore, taking advantage Of a punitive ex-
petition organized by the chief OF a small.
island against neighboring tribe. he was
within a short distance Of the locality In
which he believes the coveted treasure to
exist. and possibly, had the tribe he accom-
panied been victorious, orchid collections
would have been all the richer for one
more OF natures choicest gems. But It
was not 10 be- The opposing tribe had
received notice, and the collectors friends
met with such a warm reception as caused
them to retreat with more precipitation
than In such a climate. and under such
circumstances, II conducive 10 comfort.
More than one narrow escape befell the
collector The scar from a jagged fish
spear which grazed his check still remains.
and shortly after he found himself facing
two OF the enemy. armed with their long,
curved krisses, but fortunately he reach
ed the boats Ia safety, though with the
total loss OF his equipment, and finally ar
rived at Singapore. one experience such
as this would be sufficient for most men.
but, nothing daunted, he has returned
again 10 try 10 secure the orchid. No
news has yet been heard OF his luck.