Wardian cases

Zachary B. Kaufman (zbk49255@challenger.atc.fhda.edu)
Sun, 3 Nov 1996 04:59:42 GMT

A few days ago I received PITCHER PLANTS OF BORNEO in the mail. On
page 11, it makes mention of "Wardian cases." The use of these cases
suposedly greatly increased the survival rate of Nepenthes shipped
back to Europe (19th century I believe).

Does anyone know what a Wardian case consisted of? What it looked like?
I've always wondered how the heck something like a Nepenthes could be
shipped and kept alive back in the 19th century. It must of taken
quite a long time to get back to Europe. And somehow I doubt growlights
and electric heaters were used.

--Zachary--