The Louisiana populist., 1897-11-26
A NEW FLORAL WONDER.
SeagulI Orchid the Only One of Its Spec.
les in Existence.

les IN ExIStenCes
The annual Temple Garden flower
show opens to-day, and among the ex-
hibits will be an extraordinary orchid
from the collection of Mr.. Sander, of
St. Albans. 1t is specimen of the
Cattleya Reipeckiana.
The wings of it's seagull-like bios
SONS are white as snow, while the
body portion is Of gold and vermiliOn,
eight inches across 1t is the largest
and most beautiful Cattleya ever
known to the civilized world, and 1t
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 fur
ther similar treasures Arnold was the
man who, while travelling for Messrs.
Sander in Venezuela, made the ac-
quaintance of young fellow who ap-
peared to be rowing for pleasure. Ar
mold travelled with him for some dis
tance, but few chance words in a
wayside inn made Arnold aware that
the supposed 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
then and there gave his acquaintance
the option of either fighting duel
with him or retiring from the field.
The latter course, was chosen.
Arnolds death soon afterward, un-
der circumstances which have never
yet been cleared up, is by no means
solitary example 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 reporter that
he has at the present time collector
who had been in his service for 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 orchid known to exist
there, but of which hitherto 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 started with the
determination to return with it. Those
who know the treacherous character
Of the Japan Sea natives, and the dead.
ly nature of the climate found in the
| jungle and swampy districts, will OBJ.
tain slight idea of his undertaking
Once before, taking advantage Of
punitive expedition organized by the
chief of small island against neigh.
boring tribe, he was within short
distance of the locality in which he
believed the coveted treasure to ex.
ist, and, possibly, had the tribe he ac.
c0mpanied been victorious, orchid col
lect0rs would have been all the riehel
for one more of natures choicest gems
But it was not to be. The opposing
tribe had received notice. and the col
lectoi.'s friends met with such warn
reception as caused them to retreai
with more precipitation than in suci
climate and under such circum
stances is conducive to comfort. Nor
than one narrow escape befell the col
lector. The scar from a jagged fisl
spear which grazed his cheek still re
mains, and shortly after he found him
self facing two of the enemy armed
| with their curved ,krisses, but fortu
nately he reached the boats In safety
though with the total loss of his equip
ment, and finally arrived at Singapore
| One experience such as this would b
| sufficient for most men, but, nothing
daunted, he has returned again to tr.
| to secure the orchid. No news has ye
been heard of his luck. .-Londol
| Times.