The coloured plates of Alpine plants, which are the special feature of this book, are all reproduced from colour photographs taken directly from nature. The plants were all photographed exactly as they were found, with two exceptions, in the immediate neighbourhood of Rosenlaui in the Bernese Oberland during the month of July 1909; so that the pictures are true portraits of the flowers “at home.”
The Lumière process of colour photography which was used, depends on the action of light on a photographic plate after its passage through various coloured starch grains. The process is entirely beyond the control of the operator, and the exact colours are automatically reproduced. These photographs have in turn been carefully reproduced for this work by the three colour process.
The flowers here photographed were selected as good examples of common and typical species; and, of course, they represent but a very small portion of the rich flora of Switzerland. The present volume is intended as a short introduction to the subject, for the fuller study of which the following works are recommended:—
A. Gremli, “The Flora of Switzerland.” Translated by Paitson.
A. W. Bennett, “The Flora of the Alps.”
G. Hoffmann, “Alpine Flora.” Translated by E. S. Barton.
L. and C. Schröter, “Coloured Vade-mecum to the Alpine Flora.”
C. Schröter, “Das Pflanzenleben der Alpen.”
F. E. Hulme, “Familiar Swiss Flowers.”
“Hints and Notes for Travellers in the Alps,” being the General Introduction to Ball’s Alpine Guide.
They have all been freely referred to in the preparation of the accompanying notes.
Wherever possible the common name of each plant in English, French, and German has been given on the corresponding plate. It is hoped that this may be of use to the reader.
In conclusion I would like to thank the publishers for the great trouble they have taken in the preparation of the plates, and Mr Howard Farmer, of the Polytechnic School of Photography, for much valuable advice.
Somerville Hastings.
New Cavendish Street, W.
April 1910.