Page:Makers of British botany.djvu/218

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176
JOHN LINDLEY
Sutrina Diplocentrum Gomphicis Bicornella
Trigonidium Cryptopus Baskervilla Hemipilia
Quekettia Oeonia Pelexia Glossula
Zygostates Mystacidium Herpysma Pachites
Phymatidium Cirrhaea Zeuxine Herschelia
Centropetalum Notylia Haemaria Monadenia
Doritis Sertifera Hylophila Schizodium
Aëranthes Tropidia Drakaea Forficaria
Uncifera Pterichis Burnettia Brachycorythis
Acampe Prescottia Chloraea
Sarcanthus Pseudocentrum Stenoglottis

When it is remembered that Bentham, who elaborated the orchids for the Genera Plantarum, held broader views of generic limits than the majority of botanists, the fact that 114 or more than a third of the genera retained are Lindleyan is a striking testimony to the accuracy and range of Lindley's work in the group. Pfitzer in the work already cited retains 127 of Lindley's genera. In no other great family probably has one man left so large a mark as Lindley has left in the Orchidaceae. In this connection it may be added that 40 of Robert Brown's Orchid Genera and 50 of Blume's are retained by Bentham and Hooker.

The number of species of orchids known in his time Lindley doubtingly estimated at 3000. Collectors since that time have increased that number probably to 6000. The fact that about 1100 species of orchids are known from British India, outnumbering those of any other family by about 300, will doubtless surprise the majority of botanists.

Before closing this notice of a remarkable and versatile man some reference must be made to his pioneer work in the field of palaeobotany—a subject that has markedly advanced in recent times at the hands of Lindley's fellow-countrymen. In cooperation with Hutton there were published (1831—1837) the three volumes of Lindley and Hutton's Fossil Flora of Great Britain, an authoritative work, profusely illustrated with figures of the known fossils, and by no means entirely superseded at the present day. The introductory chapters to the volumes bear the mark of Lindley's handiwork, and that to volume III. contains the results of an extensive series of experiments carried out by Lindley to determine the capacity of various plants to resist the agencies of disintegration. These results have become