Orchid species in Australia are estimated at more than 1700 species, in 100 + genera. In 1943 Rev. Rupp (son of an immigrant German orphan, turned Anglican minister, and in retirement a significant member of Sydney's Herbarium) collated results of all orchid collections in NSW from around 1880 up until 1943 when this book was published. 248 are recorded, 57 in the general Blue Mountains area, and (bells, please) 2 in Blackheath. A biography by Lionel Gilbert, 'The Orchid Man', makes an interesting read, especially when you think how travel, exploring and recording weren't as easy as today.