UC-NRLF

B M 31S 107

ORCHIDS

. THE

REPORT

ON THE

ORCHID CONFERENCE

HKI.D AT

SOUTH KENSINGTON

On MAY 12th and 13th. 1885.

M A C M I L L A N A N 1) C 0.

1886.

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kes up the Gases and Moisture, and retains same for several days without

ying, or being re-dipped.

One dipping will last from THEEE Days to a WEEK.

Messrs. Fred. Horsman & Co., of Colchester, reports:— "We have used TKEPHO,

.th great success, having potted many thousand orchids with it."

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ItTIE'W"

OUST "V^ I IsT IB S .

Demy 8vo., with numerous Illustrations, price 10s. 6d., Post Free.
Dedicated by Special Permission to the President and Council of the Royal Horticultural Society.

VINES AND VINE-CQLTURE :

Being a Treatise on the Cultivation of the Grape Vine, with Descriptions of the

Principal Varieties.
By AKCHIBALD F. BARBON,

Superintendent of the Royal Horticultural Society's Gardens at Chiswick and South Kensington ;
Secretary of the Fruit Committee ; Honorary Member of the Cercle d' Arboriculture de Belgique, etc.

Chapter

O O UST T IE IsT T S.

I.— Historical Sketch.
II.— Propagation of the Vine.
III.— Hybridising: and Raising Vines from

Seed.
IV.— Vine Borders : their Formation . Soil,

&c.

V.— Structure* for Grape Growing.
VI.— Heating of Vineries.
VII.— Planting of Vines : when and how

to do it.

VIII —The General Management of Vineries.
IX.— Pruning and Training the Vine.
X.— Disbudding and Stopping the Shoots.
XI.-The Setting of the Fruit
XII.— The Thinning of the Fruit.
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Plates I.— XXX — Illustrations of the best kinds of Grapes.

Chapter XIV.— The Packing of Grapes.

XV.— The Pot Culture of Vines.
, XVI.- Fruiting Vines in Pots.
„ XVII.— Pot Vines as Decorative Table Plants.
„ XVIII.— Ground Vineries.
„ XIX.— The Great Grape Conservatory at

Chiswick.

„ XX.— Vines on Open Walls.
„ XXI.— Diseases and other Injuries.
„ XXII.— Noxious Insects.
„ XXIII. — Selections of Grapes for Special

„ XXIV.-TheUClassiflcation of Grape Vines.
„ XXV.— The Varieties of European G rapes.
', XXVI.— The Varieties of American Grapes.

Opinions of the Horticultural Press.

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standard work on the Vine."

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complete and thorough a descriptive list of the best varieties of Grapes."

Opinions of Horticulturists.

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that a book can tell about Vines and Grape-growing."
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To be had of A.. F. BARRON, Royal Horticultural Gardens, Chiswick, near London.

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OP

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ORCHIDS

BEING THE

REPORT

ON THE

ORCHID CONFERENCE

HELD AT

SOUTH KENSINGTON

On MAY 12th and 13th, 1885.

pontoon:
MACMILLAN AND CO.

1886.

The Gift of Beatrix Farrand

to the General Library
University of California, Berkeley

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PREFACE.

THE ORCHID CONFEBENCE, organised by the Royal Horticultural
Society, may be considered as one of the greatest successes
ever known in Floral Exhibitions, and one, moreover, with a
special object in view, every point in which was brought to the
desired conclusion. There was an extensive and splendid show,
lasting two days, and also a Conference, at which the
attendance of Orchid growers was numerous and influential,
and tended much to advance the objects of the Society, viz., to
exhibit a representative collection of Orchids in flower, together
with any other objects desirable for their culture, and to spread
a knowledge of their habits and requirements.

In furtherance of these objects, interesting Papers were read
and discussed, and much useful and valuable information elicited.
The Exhibition was marked by a beautiful display of rare and
showy Orchids, many of these being very large specimens ;
in fact, the greatest number of new and fine Orchids ever
assembled at one show in this country were here displayed.
It was also marked by the extraordinary facilities offered by the
collection at one Exhibition of a great number of alh'ed plants
for comparing and estimating their distinguishing features ; as
an example of which may be mentioned the extraordinary
representation of five specimens of nearly all the large white-
flowered Cattleyas known — an occurrence hitherto unprecedented.
Many other instances might be cited, but a perusal of the Report
will give sufficient information on all points.

The Council of the Royal Horticultural Society, in publishing
this Report, beg most heartily to thank all those who so kindly
assisted them in bringing the Conference to such a successful
issue, and they are much indebted to Dr. Hogg, of the Journal of
Horticulture, for the woodcuts of the Orchids represented in these
pages.

F. MASON,

SOUTH KENSINGTON, lion. Secretary, R. H. S.

Junwmj 4th, 1886.

342

CONTENTS.

PAGE

President's Address 11

Professor REICHENBACH —

On Proliferous Roots of Orchids 18

„ TrilabeUia Continua 19

„ Luddemannia (Cycnoches) Pescatorei 20

Mr. H. J. VEITCH, F.L.S.—

On the Hybridisation of Orchids 22

Mr. JAMES O'BRIEN —

On the Cultivation of Orchids 50

„ the Orchid House 53

„ the Staging .. 54

„ Watering Orchids 55

,, Potting Orchids .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 55

,, Materials for Potting . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

„ Shading and Heating 58

,, Arrangement of the Plants .. .. .. .. .. 59

„ the Cost of Orchids 61

Discussion on Orchid Nomenclature 62

Discussion on the Use of Manure in Orchid Growing . . . . . . 64

Report by F. W. BURBIDGE, Esq., F.L.S., on Plants Exhibited

(Horticultural) 73

List of Genera, Species, Varieties, and Hybrids shown. . . . 75

Alphabetical List of the Genera of Orchids 94

Report by H. N. RIDLEY, Esq., M.A., F.L.S., on Plants Exhibited

(Botanical) 139

THE CONFERENCE.

WEDNESDAY, MAY the 13th, 1885.
SIR TEEVOE LAWEENCE, BART., M.P., in the Chair.

THE PRESIDENT, in opening the proceedings, said : The
business before us to-day is of such a nature that it will
take a considerable time to get through it, and therefore I think
it is necessary to commence what we have to do at once. I
think, ladies and gentlemen, I ought to apologise to you for
making any introductory remarks. The Conference on Orchids,
which we are now about to commence, has largely to do with
the botanical and scientific aspect of the cultivation of Orchids,
and I need hardly say that I should not venture to express any
opinion whatever on matters of botanical science in connection
with this subject. It is only as a horticulturalist that I have
the honour to occupy the position that I now occupy, and there-
fore I must ask you to be so kind as not to suppose that I am in
any way presuming or proposing to give any opinion on the
botanical or scientific side of the question. I think you will one
and all agree with me that the Eoyal Horticultural Society and
the Conference Committee have every reason to be satisfied
with the success which has attended the Conference. (Hear,
hear,) I very much doubt whether such a collection of Orchids
has ever been gathered together as that we have in the
conservatory below, and I believe it would be impossible to
gather together such a collection of orchids as is there displayed
in any other part of the world. (Hear, hear.) The thanks of
the Conference Committee are due to those amateurs who have
helped them on this occasion, and also to those members of the

12 REPORT ON THE

trade who have done so, and on behalf of the Committee I beg
to tender to them our very sincere thanks for the efforts and
exertions they have made to make the Conference and its show
a success.

The Eoyal Horticultural Society has for many years been
under a debt of gratitude to members of the horticultural trade
who have at all times supported it to their utmost ability, and
who have largely contributed to this show, and to the interest
connected with it. (Hear, hear.) Under the somewhat new
aspect which the horticultural trade in the neighbourhood of
London has assumed, several of the principal nurserymen are at
the present moment very much occupied with shows of Orchids on
their own premises, and therefore we could hardly expect
them to denude their premises for two days of the principal
attractions they possess. Therefore, while we are veiy con-
siderably indebted to the horticultural trade for the help they
have given us, there is no doubt that the great bulk of the show
is made up of the contributions of amateurs round London. I
hope, however, that on another occasion we may have help
from amateurs all over the kingdom. We should very much
like to see more of those magnificent Orchids, which a great many
of us have heard of and some, perhaps, know, from the neighbour-
hood of Liverpool and Manchester, and I have reason to believe
that the visitors who have come to the Conference from those
parts are fired by a spirit of emulation, and will on another
occasion do all they can to show that they ca.n cultivate Orchids
in the north of England as well as, if not better, than we can
in the south. As regards the merits of the show, I think
I may be allowed to quote the authority of no less a person than
Sir Joseph Hooker. He expressed to me, and to other
persons, his very great admiration for the show and his great
appreciation of its value in promoting the cultivation of Orchids.
Inasmuch as I think that Sir Joseph Hooker, like a great many
persons who are devoted to scientific botany, is not, as a rule,
very enthusiastic on behalf of shows, this testimony, coming from
him, is of the more value. Eeferring to Kew Gardens, I think
it is very much to be regretted that, mainly owing to the
excessive economy with which money is given to that very
valuable institution, there is no sufficiently representative col-
lection of Orchids there at present. I believe the authorities at
Kew are fully alive to the great interest that is taken in Orchid

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 13

growing throughout the length and breadth of the kingdom, and
we may hope that they will do their very utmost to ensure this
result — that the collection of Orchids at Kew shall be equal to
those of the other natural orders of plants. In fact, it would be
very unwise that they should not do so, because it is very much
the custom and fashion with gentlemen who possess collections,
when they leave this world, to leave their collections to some
public institution, and I do not see the least reason to doubt
that, if there were to be found fine ranges of Orchid houses at Kew
ready to receive plants, some wealthy bachelor would leave his
collection to the public, as being perhaps, on the whole, his
best heir.

With regard, ladies and gentlemen, to the absentees from
the Conference, I am requested by Professor Eeichenbach to
express his very great regret that threats of an attack of pneumonia
have prevented him being present here to-day. I know the
reality of his regret, and I know he has been longing and most
anxious to come here to see the skill which has been displayed,
and the enterprise which has been shown, by English Orchid
growers. He has been so kind as to send a paper, which I shall
read to you, and he writes to say that, had he been here, he would
have wished to be permitted to express his warmest thanks to
English Orchidologists, and also to have paid a tribute to the
memory of the late John Lindley. (Hear, hear.) In connection
with the cultivation of Orchids and the science of Orchidology,
there is no name which has a greater respect universally felt
for it than that of the late Professor Lindley. (Hear, hear.) I
think I am bound to say that, while in the absence of Professor
Eeichenbach we lose one of the greatest exponents of the scientific
Orchidology, the loss is, I think, also a great one to him, for I am
sure he would have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the collection here
to-day. Then I also have a letter from Dr. Patterson, of the Bridge
of Allan ; he says : "I need not tell you how deeply interested I
am in the obj sets of this the first Orchid Conference held, and I
sincerely wish it success. Here I may say that for over half-a-
century I have derived the greatest pleasure and instruction from
the cultivation of these plants." Then among the gentlemen who
would at all events have contributed to our show — and very
remarkable contributions they would have been — we also very
greatly regret the absence of Mr. Stevens and the plants which
might have been sent from the Duke of Sutherland's, at Trentham.

14 REPORT ON THE

More splendid specimens of the genus Odontoglossum are to be seen
at Trentham than in any other part of the world. Now,
ladies and gentlemen, I do not think anybody can walk round
the show to-day without thoroughly understanding how we who
are fond of Orchids come to be very enthusiastic about them. If
you want to find a justification for the hobby, I would say walk
once or twice round the show and you will find it. Whether
you regard the splendour and richness of colouring, the
delicate grace and beauty of the flowers, or the weird and
fantastic characters of some of them, I think you will find a
justification for, and will understand, the affection which Orchid
growers have for their children. Many of the English Orchids
are called after insects, and a great many foreign Orchids bear a
striking resemblance to small creatures more or less allied to
insects. Then in Orchids there is a most extraordinary variety ;
I do not suppose that in any family of plants there is anything
approaching to the variety that Orchids display. There is
another very remarkable circumstance, to which I believe there
is some reference in the paper from Professor Reichenbach which
I am going to read to you, and that is that in some cases you
get what appear to be in all respects totally different flowers
growing on the same plant. Again, most Orchids are epiphytes,
and grow on trees, although there is a singular variety of growth
among them. Some few, on the other hand, are in their habit
more like plants in herbaceous borders. But I think the most
singular circumstances connected with Orchids are the peculiar
contrivances, on account of which it is hardly possible that they
should become fertilized except by the intervention of insects or
the hand of man. Nothing has been more remarkable
than the rapid increase in our knowledge of this family.
Looking back to the first volumes of the Botanical Magazine,
which appeared in 1787, I find that in the first ten volumes,
there were only two Orchids illustrated out of 360 plates ;
while if you look at the first ten volumes of the third series of
the same magazine, which appeared between the years 1845 and
1854, you find that there are no less than one hundred different
species of Orchids illustrated out of the same number of
plates ; and now, so far as possibility goes, it would be possible
to fill almost every part of the Botanical Magazine with new
species of Orchids if it were desired to do so. Indeed, I may say
that I have occasionally, as a subscriber to that periodical, felt a

OBCHED CONFERENCE. 15

little disposed to complain that we do not get a few more Orchids
in it — (hear, hear) — and I sometimes think they might worthily
replace some of the rather insignificant " foreign weeds with
barbarous binomials " which are to be found there. I believe
there are now hardly fewer than five thousand different species
of Orchids known, and out of that number I should think there
are close upon two thousand under cultivation. I can say with
regard to one particular genus, the Dendrobium, that I have
had in my own collection upwards of one hundred species
under cultivation at the same time. There is another curious
circumstance to be noted in connection with Orchids, and that is
that I do not see, in the case of most of them, there is the least
reason why they should ever die. The parts of the Orchideas
are annually reproduced in a great many instances, and there is
really no reason why they should die, unless, as is generally the
case with those in captivity, they are killed by errors in cultivation.
I suppose it is quite possible to give plants, and especially
Orchids, constitutional diseases such as human beings suffer
from. I believe it is quite possible to give what answers to gouty
affections and other such diseases to plants by injudicious diet,
and by feeding them either too well or on improper food. There
is yet another curious circumstance to which I will refer. I think
the industry and research of collectors is making us better and
better acquainted with the fact that in some of the principal
genera of Orchids — inCattleya, in Dendrobium, for example — there
exist albinos, and that shows a little, I think, the contrariety of
human nature. For, whereas, in these genera we search out and
endeavour to secure the albino varieties, hi others that are
naturally white we endeavour to secure coloured varieties. Then
with regard to the collecting of Orchids, in former years col-
lectors were sent out by wealthy amateurs, gentlemen who
wished to adorn their gardens with new plants and flowers ;
for instance, the Duke of Devonshire and the Duke of Northumber-
land, and other people occupying similar positions, and the
Royal Horticultural Society did a great deal of very good
work in employing very enterprising and skilful collectors. But
all that, so far as private people are concerned, has come to an
end, and I think, on the whole, it is to the advantage of the
cultivation of Orchids that these matters should have passed
into the hands of business people, who collect Orchids as a matter
of commerce ; and in referring to that for a moment, I think we

16 REPORT ON THE

should not do justice to the persons to whom we owe many
beautiful genera and species of Orchids if we were not to pay
some tribute to them. I would especially mention the firm
of Hugh Low and Co., who have for many years past devoted
their energies to this object, and who have expended much capital
and enterprise in this direction. Then there are Messrs. Veitch
and Sons, Messrs. B. S. Williams and Sons, Mr. Bull, Messrs.
Backhouse, and last, but not least, Mr. Sander. These, among
other firms, have in past years devoted a great deal of enterprise
to this matter. I have got here a list of countries covered by
the collectors of one firm only. It is a most comprehensive list,
and includes the Argentine Republic, Borneo, Brazil, the Guianas,
Ceylon, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, British Honduras,
British India, Upper Burmah, Jamaica, Java, Labuan, Madagas-
car, Mexico, the Celebes, Uruguay, Nicaragua, Panama, Penang,
Malay Peninsula, Singapore, the Phillippines, Trinidad, San
Salvador, the United States, Colombia and Venezuela. That list
shows, at all events, that there has been no want of very wide
travel in the collectors, and perhaps it may lead people to suppose
that we have very nearly collected all the Orchids we are likely to
get ; but I do not think that is at all the case. In fact, with
regard to one particular Orchid, one of the principal importers of
plants (Mr. Sander) told me that his collectors had been searching
for it for many years. Though it was known where it was
growing, they could not find it ; but, perhaps, some day it may
turn up and be found growing in great profusion. I refer to
the Odontoglossum navium ma jus. There is one other incident I
may mention with regard to the enterprise of collectors. You
all know that Mr. imThurn and Mr. Perkins have lately
made the ascent of Roraima, a mountain in British Guiana.
Within a very few hours of their making that ascent, Dr.
Seidl, collecting for Mr. Sander, also made the ascent, and when
he got to the top a very great disappointment was experienced.
It was supposed to be covered with forests in which there was
also believed to be a very great variety of beautiful Orchids ; but it
was found to be very nearly bare, and violent rains had washed
the soil completely away, and hardly anything was to be found
except a fine bladder- wort, or Utricularia. It appears to me, too,
that the public seem to take a great interest in Orchids. Anybody
who is accustomed to attend auctions knows that every now and
then foolish persons, like myself, are carried away by a momen-

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 17

tary spirit of competition and give a great deal more for plants
than in all probability they are worth. That is a weakness of
all collectors, but what I should venture to say is this : that
it never can be a very wise or judicious thing to give a large price
for an imported Orchid, although it may be said to be extremely
rare. Some collector may the next day send over a shipload of
the same plant, so that a plant which to-day may be worth
£10 or £50 would be only worth as many shillings to-morrow.
I have known instances in which collectors have told pitiful tales
of the privations that they have gone through in order to procure
a particular plant. One collector was said to have waded up to his
waist in mud for a fortnight before he found what he was looking
for. But when persons desire to buy Orchids which have been
raised by cross fertilization in this country, I think it is much
more reasonable that they should give a considerable price for
them. To begin with, they are the results of horticultural skill
in this country and can never be imported from abroad; and
when you consider the vast amount of careful labour and watch-
ing which is involved in raising seedling Cattleyas from the
minute seed into a flowering state, I think you may fairly admit
there is some ground why persons who have succeeded in raising
them should think that they are entitled to charge a large price for
them. I think I am correct in saying that the first Cattleya seed-
ling raised in this country was seventeen years before it flowered,
and during all that time it required very careful watching. But
with regard to imported Orchids, I might instance, as examples
of rarity and beauty combined, that at the present Conference,
among the collections which are shown in the conservatory below,
there are three very beautiful varieties of the Odontoglossum
crispum, for which we are indebted to Baron Schroder ; one
of them suffused all over with a sort of port wine stain,
another very richly spotted, and the third varying somewhat
from them. I believe you might spend a lifetime in searching
for, and might flower millions of plants before you would
meet with three such varieties as these. Of course we all know
that when you get any exceedingly rare and at the same time
very beautiful species, it is naturally competed for on all sides,
and if plants of that character are sold at a high price, I think
there is full justification for it. I do not think I can detain
you any longer. I am very much obliged to you for having
listened to my remarks. I see that it has been suggested

B

18 EEPOBT ON THE

by Dr. Masters that these few remarks should be called an
address, but as I am not so accustomed to make addresses as my
friend Dr. Masters is, and as I have really never made anything
but a political address, I venture to confine myself to the word
" remarks," and I can only hope you will forgive their exceedingly
discursive and not very interesting nature. (" No, no," and
applause.) Now, ladies and gentlemen, the first business that we
have to-day is to read the communication from Professor
Reichenbach. This communication only arrived yesterday, and,
as I have not had time to read it over beforehand, perhaps you
will forgive me if I make any small mistakes. (Hear, hear.)

The President then read the following communication from
Professor Keichenbach : —

I. ON PKOLIFEROUS ROOTS OF ORCHIDS.

There have been various records of buds originated on roots
of Orchids, lately in the instances quoted by Messrs. Lendy and
Salter.

I have long attached great interest to this case, though I
have made but few observations, only one plant having often
showed me this method of propagation. It is the Bird's-nest
Orchid (Neottia nidus avis], which very often perishes after having
flowered, while in other cases it produces fresh shoots from the
axils of certain sheaths. In other cases it brings a fresh plant
at the very top of a root fibre. I saw this in 1849, when I
observed the fact at Tharand. I learned very late it had been
observed before by J. P. E. Vaucher in 1841 ; after Vaucher
and me it was seen by Irnisch, Prilleux, Hofmeister, who got it
from me ; then it was formally denied by Drude and re-observed
and neatly described by Eugen Warming, the excellent Scandi-
navian botanist.

The second case was observed in my Phalanopsis deliciosa,
gathered in 1843 by Zollinger. My specimen shows a young
plant on a root having just emitted such a small rootlet of its
own as described by Mr. Salter. The specimen can be seen in
my herbarium.

The third case is a sad one. A Cyrtopodium (if I remember
rightly a Savannah plant from Venezuela) gave a fine shoot from
a root in Consul Schiller's collection, under Mr. Schmidt's able
management, I believe, in 1867. I watched it carefully. Finally
a young assistant gardener broke it accidentally and threw the

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 19

shoot and part of the root away, hoping the loss would never be
remarked.

The last case is of Saccolabium micranthum (Lindl.). Director
Lucien Linden sent me lately a fine Cochin Chinese plant, with
a young two-leaved shoot on a root. The whole plant was
boiled and carefully dried. It can be seen in my herbarium.

[The President here remarked that a fine specimen of
Phalanopsis Stuartiana, showing this peculiarity of growth, had
been contributed to the show by Mr. Macdonald, of Perth.
The plant was brought from the conservatory for inspection.]

II. TRILABELLIA. CONTINUA.

I had seen various cases of monstrous accidental trilabellia
inter na-. In all those cases there were no anthers developed at
all, and the genuine free style had a terminal upright stigmate,
hollow, without the least pronation (deflexion).

The finest thing of this kind that ever came in my reach
was a grand flower of Oncidium Papilio, with three lips, three
sepals, and a fusiform apostasioid style, without the least indigita-
tion of anthers or filaments. It was most kindly presented me
by my excellent second eldest English correspo^lent, Mr.
J. Day. I remember having seen a very fine Cattleyoid flower
of that kind (if I remember rightly Lalia ehgans) in the hands of
Professor Thiselton Dyer.

All cases of that shape were accidental only, and I always,
having missed the stamens as soon as there were apostasioid
styles, adopted the view of an Antagonismus, the columna being
reduced and partly made normal to pay the vast expense of the
luxury of three lips.

There came, however, some instances to my mind, where the
trilabellia occurs enclosing a common columna with its pronation
and its normal anther. In these cases all the flowers were
equally trilabellia, and this was observed once more on the next
shoots of the same plant.

The first case was that one of Oncidium pratextum Leeanum.
The Sanderian traveller, Mr. Osmer, was struck by a panicle
loaded with such flowers, so that he made the unusual and keen
attempt to dry them. They are now, thanks to Mr. Sander's
liberality, at my side, eight in number. The plant itself came
into the glorious collection of Mr. William Lee, where it pro-
duced identical flowers, eleven of which lay before me, thanks to

B2

20 REPORT ON THE

the kind possessor, who will, I hope, watch his precious unique,
telling us how long it lasts trilabellia.

The second case was observed by my highly-valued cor-
respondent, Major Lendy, both in 1884 and 1885. It is not
quite so evident as the just quoted Oncidium, inasmuch as the
Phalccnopsis Stuartiana Lendy ana has but one normal lip, yet
the petals approach lips much more than petals. The blunt
triangular blades are unguiculate and bear a callus over the
mid-base of the lamina.

The third case is that of Dendrobium nobile Cooksonianuw , of
Mr. Norman C. Cookson. The flowers are very distinct from the
D. nobile Tollianum, having the petals very thick and hairy
over the base, and enjoying the colours of the lip.

III. ON LUDDEMANNIA (CvCNOCHEs) PESCATOREI.

This so-called " genus " has proved exceedingly troublesome.
It was Schlim who discovered it near Ocana ; when there were
fresh hunting grounds, Director Linden sent a plant to the late
Pescatore, of La Celle de St. Cloud. There it has flowered. I
think but one flower is preserved in Dr. Lindley's collection.
I have four of that typical inflorescence. Dr. Lindley took it as
a fresh Cycnoches, an opinion we have seen lately reaccepted
by an author whose own principles should have prevented
him from doing so, since both leaves and bulbs are those
of an Acineta in our plant, while all Cycnoches have them like
those of Catasetum and Mormodes. As soon as I had obtained
both garden and wild-grown materials, I published my genus
Luddemannia, in honour of my late friend Luddemann, who had
flowered it.

Director Linden having gat what formerly they called a great
supply, let us say thirty plants, sent them to his correspondents,
and got, by-the-bye, a certain Stoicismus in having to endure the
most unfriendly letters of his customers, who accused him of send-
ing Acinetas for Cycnoches, asking for the genuine plant. I believe
Mr. Louis Schlim sent a second cargo, all of which flowered as
Acinetas. I remember having seen Mr. Keferstein, of Krollnitz,
near Halle, quite savage about this, my Acineta erythroxantha,
that had developed out of what he had paid for as a Cycnoches.
In 1856, Director Linden, after having fully acknowledged Mr.
Schlim's so -of ten -proved accuracy, told me all his bad ex-
periences, finally adding, " Je n'y vois que de feu." As to poor

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 21

Schlim, who may have got " des lettres a mieval " from Mr.
Linden, he expressed his sentence on a label I have, stating,
" monstre d'un Peristeria." The case was nearly forgotten ;
almighty Time had washed away the bad impression.

The "genus" reappeared with Messrs. Veitch. A fine, rich
plant was literally loaded with hanging young inflorescences, one of
which had developed and appeared to be a fresh Luddemannia,
showing fine marks of distinction. Messrs. Veitch were so very
kind to let me have the plant. Unfortunately, all the inflor-
escences perished while travelling, notwithstanding the excellent
packing of the firm, and when the plant flowered next year it
showed me the abominable inflorescence of Adneta erythroxantha.

A quite distinct Luddemanniana, the third one, appeared
with a stiff erect inflorescence and quite peculiar flowers. It was
discovered January, 1874, by the late Wallis, who stated it had
the bulb of an Adneta and a leaf of Peristeria. I am afraid
Wallis made a mistake. Who might distinguish clearly the
leaves of those genera ? I would guess Wallis intended to write,
it had the bulb of a Peristeria, and thus could be a sex of
Peristeria elata.

Grand inflorescence of the old Luddemannia Pescaiorei were
collected and admirably dried for me by Mr. B. Roezl.

Finally, good plants of Luddemanniana were gathered by
Messrs. E. Klabock and Lehmann, perhaps on the same spot.
I am not sure who came first. The majestic likeness presented
at the sale is well known. I was led to regard Mr. Lehmaiiii'.s
plant a new type, from his representation and description and
the one dried inflorescence. The other inflorescence and two
fresh ones proved to be the typical L. Pescatorei. I had the first
from Consul Kienast Zolly, of Zurich, the other from an English
benefactor, whose name will be, I hope, kindly supplied by
Mr. Sander, who forwarded me the very well-grown, grand
specimen. It is my ardent wish to have once more fresh state -
ments of the pleiomorphic state of those flowers, which may be
sexes of Acimta, perhaps also of Peristeria.

I have obtained well -developed seed from the Adneta ery-
throxantha produced from the Luddemanniana of Messrs. Veitch.

I hope much from that most skilful observer, Herr Consul
Kienast Zolly, and from the English gentleman who had such fine
flowers. I expect Director Linden, of Brussels, will feel a
certain satisfaction in reading this note.

22 REPOfiT ON THE

The Presiden^on concluding the second head of Professor
Keichenbach's paper, said : That is the end of the learned
Professor's second communication, and I am reminded by it
that in referring to the collectors of Orchids, I omitted to give
sufficient credit to Mr. Sander, whose energy in this direction has
been very remarkable. I believe Mr. Sander now employs
thirteen collectors. He has given me very interesting details
of the work they have done. Many of these gentlemen, who
have very considerable botanical knowledge, are Germans, and
in several instances such was their zeal that they lost their
lives in the prosecution of their duties. From that it will be
seen that the dangers and difficulties attaching to Orchid
collecting are very considerable ; it being well known, of course,
that the climates in which researches have to be made are often
very dangerous to European constitutions. Altogether the
energy and enterprise displayed by Mr. Sander has been very
remarkable.

At the conclusion of the third communication from the
Professor, the President said that if any gentleman wished to
make any remarks on the subject of these communications, this
was the time to make them. No response, however, being made
to his invitation, he continued : It is obviously very difficult
to discuss the exceedingly intricate subjects dealt with in the
paper which I have just read on the spur of the moment, and
therefore I think the most appropriate course will be to ask
Mr. Veitch to read his communication.

Mr. H. J. VEITCH, F.L.S., then read a Paper on
" THE HYBRIDISATION OF ORCHIDS."

He said : In a communication " On Hybridisation among
Vegetables," by Dean Herbert, of Manchester, published in 1847,
in the second volume of the Journal of the Horticultural Society of
London, I find the following remarkable passage : —

" Cross-breeding amongst Orchidaceous plants would perhaps
lead to very startling results ; but, unfortunately, they are not
easily raised from seed. I have, however, raised bletia, cattleya,
Herminium monorchis, and Oplirys aranifera from seed ; and if I
were not, during the greater part of the year, absent from the
place where my plants are deposited, I think I could succeed in

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 23

obtaining crosses in that order. I had well-formed pods last
spring of orchis by pollen of ophrys, as well as of other species of
orchis which had been forced ; and if I had remained on the spot,
I think I should have obtained some cross-bred Orchidaceous seed.
An intelligent gardener may do much for science by attempts of
this kind, if he keeps accurate notes of what he attempts, and
does not jump at immature conclusions."

This is the earliest authentic information I have been able to
obtain of attempts to raise new forms among Orchids by cross-
breeding, and with what success the Dean himself has told us in
his own words. At that time, and for some years afterwards,
there was a prevalent notion among gardeners that muling among
Orchids was an impossibility, and, so far as I am aware, no one
attempted it besides Dean Herbert till it was taken up by Dominy,
at our Exeter nursery, about the year 1853. The cause of the
prevalent belief of that age in the impossibility of hybridisation
among Orchids is not, I think, far to seek.

Dean Herbert was a man of science, and was well acquainted
with the structure of Orchid flowers ; to him their fertilisation by
hand presented no difficulty ; to horticulturists and gardeners it
was quite different. Not only had they, in common with many
others, not the slightest suspicion of the fertilisation of Orchids
by insect agency, but, moreover, very few of them possessed even
an elementary knowledge of botany. They could, it is true, distin-
guish accurately the stamens and pistils of many flowers familiar
to them, and they were aware of the functions of those organs,
but the confluence of those organs into the solid column of an
Orchid flower was to them a profound mystery. It was unfor-
tunate, too, that Dean Herbert's injunction to keep accurate notes
of what was attempted was not followed in the early days of
Orchid hybridisation, whence the uncertainty that still hangs over
the parentage of some of the earlier acquisitions.

It was Mr. John Harris, a surgeon, of Exeter, who suggested
to Dominy the possibility of muling Orchids, and who pointed
out to him the reproductive organs seated in the column, and
showed that the application of the pollinia to the stigmatic sur-
face was analagous to the dusting of the stigma of other flowers
with pollen. This simple fact being once fairly grasped, the
work of hybridisation proceeded apace. The flowers of showy
species of cattleya, la?lia, calanthe, &c., were fertilised with the
pollinia of other species, and even the flowers of supposed different,

24 REPORT ON

but of course allied, genera, were also operated upon in the same
way. Capsules were produced in abundance, which in due course
proved their maturity by dehiscing, and thus the long and
anxiously desired seed was at length at hand. Then arose a great
difficulty, a difficulty which still exists, and which our long
experience has enabled us to make only a short step towards over-
coming, to discover the most suitable method of raising seedlings.
The seeds of Orchids are minute chafty bodies of extreme light-
ness. So minute are they that an ordinary pocket lens is power-
less to enable one to know whether the seeds are likely to contain
a germ or are mere lifeless dust. When growing wild, it is evident
that the contents of the mature capsules after dehiscence are
more or less scattered by the wind, perhaps wafted to great dis-
tances, until they settle on the branches of trees, on shelving
rocks or other suitable situations where the seeds can germinate,
and the seedlings firmly affix themselves. Following, or at least
believing that we were following Nature, so far as the altered
circumstances of artificial cultivation allowed, every method or
available means that could be thought of was brought into
request to secure the germination of the seed. It was sown upon
blocks of wood, pieces of tree-fern stems, strips of cork, upon the
moss that surfaced the pots of the growing plants, in fact, in any
situation that seemed to promise favourable results. But as it
was in the early days of Orchid hybridisation, so it is now, we
seem as far off as ever from, hitting upon a method by which at
least a moderate amount of success may be calculated upon ;
failures were at first, as now, innumerable, and numberless such
are without doubt inevitable. Among the most cogent causes of
failure in the raising of seedling Orchids, there can be no doubt
that the altered conditions of climate, especially the deficiency of
sunlight, and the artificial treatment to which the plants are
necessarily subject in the glass houses of Europe, are the greatest.
The capsules neither can nor do attain the perfection natural
to them in their native countries, and it is more than probable
that, independently of the capsules grown in our houses being
the production of cross-breeding, they do not yield a fractional
part of the quantity of good seed they would do in their native
land. And so with their progeny — the tender seedlings are
brought into life under circumstances so different from what they
would have been in their native land, that it is not at all surpris-
ing that multitudes of them perish in their earliest infancy. The

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 25

capsules are not only less perfect in our houses than they would be
in a state of nature, but they also require a longer time to arrive at
maturity, a circumstance that must tell against the progeny.
The cause of this is also climatic, chiefly of course the enormous
diminution of sunlight and sun heat. To make this clear, I will
adduce one illustration, and for that purpose I select the New Gra-
nadian cattleyas of the laliata group, because they are among the
best of subjects for the operations of the hybridist. These cat-
tleyas have their home chiefly in the ravines and valleys of the
Cordilleras, at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 feet above
sea level, and between the second and tenth parallels of north
latitude. The plants by being transferred from proximity to the
equator, where on clear days the sun darts his rays either per-
pendicularly upon the place in which they are growing, or at a
comparatively small angle to them, to a high latitude like ours,
where the smallest angle at which the sun's rays can fall upon our
houses is about 28 deg., and that only for a few days at mid-
summer, an angle which daily increases, till at midwinter it
reaches 75 deg., suffer an enormous diminution of solar light. Now
light, in passing through the atmosphere, even under the most
favorable circumstances, is subject to absorption, or is intercepted
by it, but the amount varies with the angle ; thus, it has been shown
that of a given quantity of light falling perpendicularly upon a given
point, one-fifth of it is absorbed or intercepted by the atmosphere ;
if it fall at an angle of 50 deg. more than one fourth is inter-
cepted, and at an angle of 75 deg. fully one-half. Hence, in the
winter months, even when the days are clear and bright, we can
get no more than five-eighths (a little more than one-half) of the
solar light these New Granadian cattleyas receive in their native
country, on the assumption that other circumstances remain the
same. It is quite evident, then, at what a disadvantage we are
placed, as regards the ripening of capsules of Orchids whose
native home is near the equator, to say nothing of local
difficulties, such as the smoky atmosphere and fogs of London.

It is not unreasonable to infer, in the absence of more
accurate knowledge obtained by direct observation, that the
capsules of the New Granadian cattleyas require but a short
period to attain maturity in their native country, and that this
period extends only over the two or three months of what is
there called the dry season, but which in that region is subject
to frequent showers. In our houses, the time required for

26 KEPORtf ON THfi

maturing the capsules of cattleyas of the labiata group ranges
from eleven to thirteen months, for Lalia purpurata it is about
nine months, for Phalanopsis Schilleriana six months, Cypripedium
Spicerianum eleven to twelve months, C. insigne' ten months,
masdevallia four months, calanthe three to four months, Zygope-
talum Mackayi when crossed with maxillaria about six months
Odontoglossum maculatum, Dendrobium aureum, Anguloa Clowesii,
Chysis bractescens, and Maxillaria Harrisoniana each about twelve
months. But, of course, these periods are only approximate ;
the time required for the ripening of the capsules is considerably
influenced by the state of the weather and external circum-
stances, especially by the amount of direct sunlight during the
year. I note that our experience does not differ essentially from
that of M. Bleu, of Paris, who has published in the journal of
the Societe Rationale d' Horticulture the periods of ripening of
the capsules of several Orchids crossed by himself, although it
might be expected that in the warmer and drier climate of Paris
the periods would be somewhat shorter.

Adverse as are some "of the influences under which we work
to obtain capsules, there is but little difficulty in getting them,
and in abundance too ; sometimes even from crosses that, to the
systematic botanist, would seem almost beyond belief ; but then
comes the crux. Good seed is the all important factor in pro-
ducing healthy seedlings, and this, unfortunately, from causes
already partially adverted to, is obtainable but in a very minute
proportion of the whole. Seed we get in profusion, but so
little of it germinates that the patience of the most persevering
is put to a severe test. The seeds of hundreds of capsules have
been sown without yielding a single result. In very many cases
only a solitary plant had been raised from a capsule that must
have contained thousands of seeds ; in very few instances indeed
has the number of seedlings from one cross reached a hundred.
It is true that we have raised many seedlings in the aggregate,
but many of them have appeared when least expected, and when
we consider the myriads of seeds that have been sown, and the
comparatively few plants raised, we cannot be said to have
achieved very great success. It may here be noted that with the
exception of cypripedium, which bears the stress of fruit-bearing
better than any other genus, many plants bearing capsules
become greatly debilitated. During the season the capsule is
being matured, growth frequently ceases altogether, and when

OfiCfllD CONFERENCE. . 27

the plant operated upon is not strong, it not infrequently perishes
even before the seed is ripe.

[Diagrams of seeds, and seedlings in various stages of develop-
ment here introduced. See Plates, pp. 37 — 45.]

If the ripening of the capsules takes place under such adverse
influences, the same influences are by no means propitious to the
early infancy of the progency. The period from germination to
the formation of the first roots, which, for want of a better
phrase, and for the present purpose, I will call the thalloid
state of the young plant, and which sometimes occupies several
months, is the most critical in the life of seedling Orchids raised
in glass structures ; it is especially so with cypripedium, calanthe
and phala?nopsis, and seedlings of these we accordingly find to be
the most difficult to preserve prior to their getting firmly rooted.
A succession of dull, cloudy days in winter, and even a few hours
of London fog, will cause a great mortality, not only among
these, but among all seedlings in a similar stage.

The cares and solicitudes of the raiser of Orchid seedlings
are by no means diminished when the infant plants are fairly
rooted; they must still be constantly tended with the most
assiduous care. To neglect the watering, for instance, for a
single day, or even for a few hours in the height of summer,
may prove fatal ; and so, on the other hand, an excess of
coddling, giving them too much heat or too much water, by
stimulating them into growth before their natural season arrives,
is equally a source of danger. Nor is it the only one. We
know of an instance of the splendid Dendrobium nolile nobilius
being crossed with D. aureum ; the capsule was matured in due
course, and the seed sown, but only one seedling was raised.
This, as may be readily supposed, was tenderly cared for, but all
to no avail ; the seedling had grown to about half-an-inch, when
one night a vulgar snail devoured the precious morsel at a single
meal. (Laughter.) We, too, have had our troubles. Among
our earliest phalasiiopsis crosses we succeeded in raising a single
seedling from a capsule of Plialanopsis amabilis crossed with
P. rosea, which we were particularly anxious to save, as it would
have solved the question of the parentage of P. intermedia or Portii,
which is a supposed natural hybrid between the same two species.
The plant had made three healthy leaves ; it was well established
in a small pot, which, to be the more secure from danger, was
placed upon an inverted pot that stood in a pan of water. One

28 REPORT ON THE

morning, to the great dismay of Seden, it was discovered that
a slug had eaten off two of the best leaves, and would, if not
trapped, certainly devour the remainder. Anxious to save the
treasure, the plant was watched incessantly for hours in the
expectation that sooner or later the marauder would make his
appearance ; to induce him to do so the moss was constantly
plunged into water ; the repeated duckings had at length the
desired effect, the culprit issued from his lurking place and the
plant was saved. The two little circumstances I have narrated
speak for themselves.

And now, how long must the hybridist wait before his labours
are rewarded with a sight of the flower whose appearance he has
been awaiting with longing expectation, and upon which many
hopes have been built, too often, unfortunately, to end in disap-
pointment.

The shortest periods from the germination of the seed to the
production of the flower yet observed are those of dendrobinm,
that is, D. aureum crossed with D. nobile and vice versa, three to
four years ; phaius and calanthe about the same ; masdevallias four
to five years ; chysis about the same. Then come longer intervals ;
zygopetalum five to nine years, according to the cross, thus,
Z. maxillare crossed with Z. Mackayi, five years, vice versa nine
years, a curious, but to us, unaccountable circumstance, as is the
case of Cypripedium Schlimii, which crossed with C. longifolium
flowers in four years ; but the vice versa cross takes six years.
Lycaste takes seven to eight years ; laelias and cattleyas may be
said to flower from ten to twelve years from the seeds.

[Seedlings of different genera at various stages of growth were
here shown. See Plates, pp. 37 — 45. J

I will now glance at some of the results obtained by us from
muling. Dominy began to hybridise Orchids at our Exeter
nursery in 1853, and continued his operations for some time after
removal to Chelsea in 1864. Seden began at Chelsea in 1866,
and has worked uninterruptedly from that time to the present.
Our experience, therefore, extends over a period of more than
thirty years, during which the field of operations has been greatly
enlarged, especially of late years, our experiments being made
upon a vast number of cultivated Orchids, including many
hundreds of crosses, not only between allied species but also
between species of different genera.

Among the results obtained by Dominy at Exeter, Calanthe

DECKED CONFERENCE. 29

Dominii, raised from G. masuca x C. furcata, will always be
regarded with interest, as being the first hybrid Orchid that
flowered. It flowered for the first time in October, 1856, on
which occasion the spike was shown by my father to Dr. Lindley,
who exclaimed, on seeing it, "You will drive the botanists mad,"
an expression quite characteristic of the rigid systematists who
flourished prior to the publication of Darwin's " Fertilisation of
Orchids by Insect Agency." The first hybrid cattleya that flowered
was C. hybrida, a plant now lost, but which was soon followed by
the flowering of C. Brabantia. The first hybrid cypripedium to
flower was C. Harrisianum, which justly commemorates the name
of Dr. Harris, a gentleman who first suggested the hybridisation
of Orchids. Among other noteworthy acquisitions raised at
Exeter were Cattleya Dominiajia, Lalia Exoniensis, Calanthe
Veitchii, and Lalia Veitchii. The last-named flowered for the first
time at Chelsea. Dominy also raised some seedling vandas, but
they were afterwards lost. Seden's acquisitions are more
numerous, and many of them unquestionably prove that sub-
stantial progress is being made, in spite of the innumerable
difficulties that beset the raising of seedling Orchids. To any
one wiio has compared Oypriptdium cardinale, C. Schroder a, and
C. Sedeni candiduliun, with the original C. Schlimii, this progress
is manifest enough. And so with C. cenanthum superbiun,
C. Leeanum superbum, and C. llorfjania; nor ought I to omit
mention of Lcclia flammea, still unique in colour among Orchids,
Masdevallia Chelsoni, Calanthe Sedeni, also obtained by other
operators, and Dendrobium micans.

The following details may prove to be of some interest.
Among cattleyas we find that all the members of the labiatn
group and also the Brazilian species with two-leaved stems, as
(.'. intermedia, C. Aclanditr, C. superba, &c., cross freely with each
other, and with the Brazilian laelias, which also cross freely with
each other. It is worthy of note, too, that those hybrids which
have a two-leaved cattleya for one parent and a one-leaved laslia
or cattleya for the other, have some stems with one and others
with two leaves, and the flowering does not seem to be affected
thereby. [A plant with this peculiarity here shown.] But
neither the cattleyas nor the Brazilian Mias will cross freely with
the Mexican Lalia albida, autumnalis, majalis, rubescens (better
known in gardens as acunnnata), &c. Numerous crosses have
been effected both ways, and capsules have been produced, but

80 REPORT ON THE

the seed has always proved barren. Lalia anceps appears to be
an exception, for it seeds freely whether crossed with a cattleya
or with any of the Brazilian laelias. The period from the germi-
nating of the seed to the appearance of the first flower varies
immensely in the different crosses, thus Lalia triophthalma raised
from seed sown in 1875 flowered in 1883, this is the shortest
period known to ns ; Lalia caloylossa from seed sown in 1858,
flowered for the first time in 1877, or nineteen years, this is the
longest period known ; the others have taken periods that may
be said to average from ten to twelve years.

Among cypripeds some very curious facts have been elicited
through muling. Thus, the East Indian species cross freely with
each other, and a numerous progeny has resulted therefrom.
The South American species, the selenipedia as they are called,
also cross freely with each other, and many new forms have been
obtained ; the hybrids in both sections flower within a few years
from the seed being sown. But in the case of the crossing of
Indian with South American species, the process has been much
slower in producing results. An infinitely smaller percentage of
the seed germinates, and those seedlings that survive are so slow
in arriving at the flowering stage, that up to the present time not
a single plant has produced a flower, although the plants continue
strong and healthy in appearance and increase in size every year.
One thing is certain, the three-celled ovary of the selenipeds
offers no impediment to fertilisation by the pollinia of Cypripeds
with a one-celled ovary, for we have plants raised from C. caudatum
x C. barbatum, and many other like crosses between other species
have yielded seed.

Cypripedium Sedeni was a remarkable cross in many respects,
it was, in fact, raised from two crosses, C. Schlimii x C. longifolium,
and the same two vice versa. It will be observed that in this
case, one of the parents, C. longifolium , is much more robust in
habit and growth than the other parent, C. Schlimii. [Plants
of C. longifolium, C. Schlimii, and C. Sedeni, were here shown.]
No perceptible difference was observed between the plants raised
from the two separate crosses, they agreed in habit, foliage,
colour of flower, in fact, in every particular. No such similar
result has been obtained by us among cypripeds. A vice versa
cross between the same two species produces seedlings that vary
more or less from those produced from the first cross. Thus
C. tessellatum resulted from C. barbatum x C. concolor, and

OKCHID CONFERENCE. 81

C. tessellatum purphyrium from C. concolor x C. barbatum. We
have also an instance of two recognised species each being
crossed by a third, but both crosses producing like results, thus
C. lonyifolium x C. Schlimii, and C. Eoezlii x C. Schlimii produced
seedlings whose flowers are indistinguishable from each other,
although as might be expected, the foliage of the C. Roezlii progeny
is like that of its parents, the more robust of the two ; hence the
specific rank of C. Eoezlii is very questionable.

Not only do recognised species of each section, East Indian
and South American, cross freely inter se, but the hybrids also
cross freely with them. The beautiful C. cenanthum superbum
has for its parents C. Harrisianum, itself a hybrid, and C. insigne
Maul ii. As regards the habit and foliage of hybrid cypripeds, the
progeny usually takes a form intermediate between the two
parents, but sometimes it is more robust than either. [Plants of

C. grande, and its parents shown.]

Large as is the field offered by the great genus Dendrobium for
the operations of the hybridist, comparatively little has yet been
effected. Doniiny raised the hybrid that bears his name many
years ago in our Exeter nursery. It was followed some years
later by D. Ainsworthii, which appeared in Dr. Ainsworth's col-
lection at Manchester in 1874. Plants of the same cross raised
by West appeared about the same time in the Fairfield nursery,
near Manchester, and later, in the collection of Mr. Brymer, at
Dorchester, by another operator, the parents being D. aureiim x
I), nobile. Subsequently Seden raised D. splendidissimum from
the same cross, and still later, Mr. Swann obtained D. Leechianum
from D. nobile x D. aureum or the -vice versa of the others. The
seedlings raised from all the crosses are found to be variable ;
members of one progeny approaching so closely varieties among
the others, that the original distinctions set up between them
cease to be appreciable, but without egotism I venture to claim
for splendidissimum larger flowers with more substance in sepals
and petals, caused probably through our having hybridised finer
varieties of the two parents. Nevertheless, to avoid confusion,
the progenies should, I think, to use an academical expression,
be bracketed.

Of the eight hydrid dendrobes that have already flowered

D. nobile is one parent of five, and D. aureum of three of the
same five, and of one other, so that only two, D. micans and

32 REPORT ON THE

D. rhodostoma, have yet flowered that have a parentage in which
neither nobile nor aureum participated.

Crosses between species of phalaenopsis have been effected by
several operators, and capsules readily obtained. We only know,
however, of three instances besides our own where seedlings were
raised ; the first by Dodds, in 1868, in the collection of Sir John
Greville Smith, at Ashton Court, near Bristol, but they were
afterwards lost; then Grey, gardener to the eminent orchid-
ologist, Mr. Corning, of Albany, New York, raised some seedlings,
but they, too, were afterwards lost ; and, lastly, Mr. Hollington,
at Enfield, who has, I believe, one seedling still living. Our own
experience with phala3nopsis dates from 1875 ; our first cross
was between P. grandiflora and P. Schilleriana, but with that and
with several succeeding crosses no results beyond the capsules
were obtained. The first capsule to yield seedlings was gathered
from P. grandiflora x P. rosea ; a few of these are still living.
Then we obtained a few from P. aiiuibilis and P. rosea, which
grew with more vigour than their elder brethren, and may not
improbably flower within the next two years. Still later we
obtained seedlings from P. Schilleriana x P. rosea, P. grandiflora
x P. Luddemanniana, and from two or three other crosses.

Calanthe has probably received attention from more operators
than any other genus in the great Orchidean family, a circum-
stance that can be best accounted for by results being obtainable
in a shorter period than from any other genus. It may be that
calanthe being more terrestrial than epiphytal, there is a predis-
position to earlier maturity. The capsule of calanthe usually
ripens in three to four months, and the seed takes from two to
three months more to germinate ; the seedlings under favourable
circumstances will flower in the third or fourth year ; hence it
happened that, although seedlings cattleyas were in existence
before seedling calanthes, the first hybrid Orchid to flower was a
calanthe. Calanthe Veitchii flowered for the first time in 1859, and
was at that time believed to be a true bigeneric cross, but such it
cannot be now regarded, as Mr. Bentham, in the " Genera
Plantarum," has referred the pollen parent Limatodes rosea to
calanthe. Not so, however, is Phaim irroratus, raised by Dominy
from P. grandifolius x Calanthe nivalis, and P. irroratus purpurem,
raised by Seden from P. grandifolius X Calanthe vestita rubro-macu-
lata, and a third progeny that has not yet flowered, which was

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 33

obtained by the last-named hybridiser from Phaius grandifoliiis
and Calanthe Veitchii. These are entitled to be called bigeneric
crosses. In one of the cases only a single plant was raised, and
in each of the other two the number was very restricted. It is a
curious fact, too, that in habit, aspect, and in other respects the
progeny is well-nigh intermediate between the two parents, being
neither quite evergreen like phaius, nor deciduous like calanthe.

Masdevallias were taken in hand at an early date, but failures
were frequent, caused probably by the fact that masdevallia, as a
genus, is far more heterogenous than was at first supposed,
whence a mixture of the different sections may not possibly be
effected. M. Chelsoni was at length raised from M. amabilis x
M. Veitchiana ; then M. Fraseri from M. ignea x M. Lindeni, by
Mr. Fraser, of Derncleugh, Aberdeen, but the seedlings were
reared by us ; aod lastly, M. Gairiana from M. Veitchiana x M.
Davisii. Capsules have been obtained from M. Veitchiana- x M.
infracta, M. polysticta x M. tovarensis, M. Harry ana x M. Veitch-
iana, and a few others, but all attempts to intermix M. chimara
and its allies with the brilliant -flowered species have proved
fruitless.

Great as is the difficulty of raising seedlings from Orchids
requiring a high temperature for their cultivation, it is still
greater in the case of those that receive " cool treatment," if we
except masdevallia. Odontoglossum affords a striking instance
of this, paradoxical as it may seem, especially as so many
undoubted natural hybrids between different species of this genus
have appeared among the importations of the last ten years.
Numerous crosses between various species, both Mexican and
New Granadian, have been effected, and capsules with apparently
good seed have been produced, but with the utmost care that
could be bestowed no progeny has yet been raised. Mr. Cookson,
of Newcastle, has, indeed, stated in The Garden, of February 10th,
1883, that he succeeded in raising a fine lot of odontoglossum
seedlings, of which the pollen parent was 0. crispum and the seed
parent either 0. gloriosum or 0. Uro-Skinneri, but which he was
not quite sure. He has since informed us that all of them have
perished. And so with the miltonias, usually classed with
odontoglossum, and grown in an average higher temperature, as
(•exillanum, Ewzlii, and phalcenopsis. The only seedlings we have
been able to raise were obtained from a cross between the two

84 REPORT ON THE

last named, and these were unfortunately lost within a few months
after the germination of the seed. I may here note that the late
Mr. Bentham, when working up the Orchid eas for the " Genera
Plantarum " must, I think, have been misinformed when he
states under " Miltonia vexillarium," page 563, that " fide hortu-
lanorum facile cum Odontoglossis variis nee cum Miltoniis genuis
proles hybridas gignunt." Our experience is the very opposite
of this. Vexillarium crosses readily with the flat-lipped
miltonias, as spectabilis, although thus far we have failed
to raise any progeny from these crosses, but not with the
true odontoglots ; often as it has been attempted, no capsules are
produced. Thus, while our experience in muling among
odontoglots goes far to disprove the statement I have just quoted,
it at the same time confirms unmistakeably Mr. Bentham's view
as to the proper generic place of vexillarium, and its allies Roezlii,
phalanopsis and Warscewiczii.

I have already taken up so much of your time that I must
forbear entering into details of the crossings, and results of
them, among other genera, and into the scientific aspects of
hybridisation it is not my province to lead you. Nevertheless,
I may be permitted to refer to a few facts that have come under
our observation that have a practical bearing as well as a
scientific one.

It will be gathered from what I have already said that our
hybridising operations have extended over a rather wide field ;
that they have not been confined to the crossing of different
species of the same genus, but hundreds of experiments have
been made between species of different genera. The question
thence naturally arises : How will these bigeneric crosses affect
the stability of the genera as at present circumscribed ? And,
what changes of nomenclature will be necessary to place the
Orchidese on an intelligible basis as regards names ? Glancing
over the whole range of our operations, and the results obtained
from them, I may safely reply that thus far the stability of the
genera is scarcely affected, and the changes in nomenclature
need be very few indeed. Leaving the progeny derived from
species of cattleya x laelia out of consideration, the last-named
genus being confessedly an artificial one, only two bigeneric
hybrids have yet flowered ; these I have mentioned above,
Phaius irrocatus, and P. irrocatus purpureus. Many years ago

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 35

Dominy raised Ancectochilus Domini from Goodyera discolor and
Ancectochilus xanthophyllus, and Goodyera Veitchii froui G. discolor
and Ancectochilus Veitchii. Plants derived from both crosses are
still in cultivation, but the names they bear are simply garden
names. We have plants, but which have not yet flowered,
raised from Cattleya triana crossed with Sophronitis yrandijlora,
and from Cattleya intermedia crossed with the same species of
sophronitis. We have, besides, a seedling whose parents are
Cattleya triana and Brasavola Diybyana, but as the last-named is
now referred to laelia, this can hardly be regarded a bigeneric
cross. With these few cases I have exhausted the list. But
when we enumerate the capsules with apparently good seed
that have been obtained from bigeneric crosses, but from which
no seedlings have been raised, the list is somewhat more formid-
able. Some of the most remarkable of these were produced by
Acanthephippiun Curtisii x Chysis bractescens, Bletia hyacinthina x
Calanthe masuca, Chysis aurea x Zygopetalum Sedeni, Odontoglossum
bictonense x Zygopetalum ma.iillare, Zygopetalum Mackayi x Lycaste
Skinneri. But, on the other hand, we have obtained a large
number of capsules of the normal size, and to all appearances
externally perfect, not only from bigeneric crosses, but even
between species of the same genus, which contained not a single
seed. And, lastly, I may note that Zygopetalum Mackayi has
been crossed with several species of odontoglossum, and seedlings
raised from some of the crosses, but every one that has yet
flowered has proved to be Zygopetalum Mackayi.

The hybridisation of Orchids by the hands of the cultivator
is still in its infancy, we are but on the threshold ; and now that
muling among them has become a pastime of absorbing interest
with amateurs — amongst whom special mention must be made
of Sir Trevor Lawrence, Sir William Marriott, Sir Charles
Strickland, Mr. Bowring, of Forest Farm, Windsor, Mr. D. 0.
Drewett, of Newcastle, and Mr. Goss, of Torquay — it would be
rash indeed to attempt to predict what may be in store. But,
reviewing the sum total of results already obtained, can we,
considering the ceaseless watching and assiduous care seedling
Orchids require before reaching the flowering stage, look upon
them with unmixed satisfaction ? How few of the best of them
bear favourable comparison with the numberless lovely flowers
borne by plants that owe their origin to the unerring instinct
of the little winged tribe that unknowingly, and, perhaps, uncou-

c 2

36 REPOKT ON THE ORCHID CONFERENCE.

sciously, have performed their allotted tasks for ages past, and
proving, by the perfection of their work, how inapt an operator
is man.

I cannot conclude this paper without availing myself of this
opportunity of publicly expressing my personal obligation to
Professor Keichenbach for the great trouble he has taken in
examining, reporting on, and naming our various hybrids, to do
which has occupied much more of his valuable time than is
generally supposed. (Applause.)

This paper was illustrated by a number of coloured drawings
showing the development of seedlings at various stages of their
growth, extending over some years.

The PRESIDENT: Ladies and Gentlemen, there will be now
an opportunity of discussing the exceedingly interesting paper
we have just heard, and if anybody wishes to make any remarks
upon the subject, now will be the proper time.

Dr. MASTERS, F.R.S., said : I am afraid that the number of
amateurs and commercial gentlemen who are present to-day will
have been so struck with the value of the paper we have just
heard read that they will think there is nothing left for the
botanist to say ; but I hope you will allow me to say that I have
listened to that paper with the utmost admiration. I have been
much struck by its value, and the number of facts brought
forward in it, many of them of surpassing interest, renders it one
of the very finest papers ever delivered before this Society.
(Hear, hear.) I am anxious to say this at once, and not to go
into any points of detail, because they are far too numerous to be
discussed on this occasion. The only contribution I would make
in the way of discussion is this, that amongst the hundreds and
thousands of Orchid seeds I have seen, not one- tenth have been
perfect ; and this is the reason in all probability why so few of
them have germinated under Mr. Veitch's care. The ordinary
Orchid seed is a really circular or elliptical bag or membrane,
and in the centre of it there is a very small, almost microscopical,
germ, and in not one-tenth of the seeds is this little germ present.
I merely now wish to repeat that Mr. Veitch's paper is one of
the grandest ever delivered before the Royal Horticultural
Society. (Applause.)

The PRESIDENT then rose and said : Ladies and (Gentlemen,
Mr. Veitch mentioned my name as one of those who have had
some experience as hybridizers, and I can entirely corroborate,

PLATE I.

Seed of Phaleenopsis. Seedling Phalsenopsis, 4 months. Phalaenopsis, 9 months.

Phalaenopsis, 2£ years.

Phalaenopsis, 3 years.

PLATE II.

Seed of Eucypripedium.

Seed of Selenipedium.

PLATE III.

Seedling Cypripedium, 6 months.

Cypripedium, 9 months.

Cypripedium, 12 months.

Cypripedium, 16 months.

Cypripedium, 2 years.

PLATE IV.

Seed of Dendrobium.

Seedling Dendrobium, 4 months.

Dendrobium, 7 months. Dendrobium, 12 months.

Dendrobium, 2 years.

PLATE V.

Seed of Cattleya.

Seedling Cattleya, 6 months. Cattleya, 9 months. Cattleya, 12 months.

Cattleya, 16jmonths.

Cattleya, 2 years.

REPORT ON THE ORCHID CONFERENCE. 47

if it were necessary to do so, what he has said about the
exceeding difficulty there is in getting fertile seed. Mr. Darwin,
in his book on the " Fertilization of Orchids," mentions
that, having made a microscopical examination of the
seed pods sent to him, he often found that in an entire pod there
was not one fertile seed ; but, on the other hand, every now and
then, for some reasons which at present it is impossible to
understand, seed pods do produce a vast number of fertile seeds,
and I, myself, have before now from a cross between cypripedia
produced so large a number of plants that I have been constrained
to throw a number away. With regard to dendrobia, too, I have
had pods which have produced a very large number of plants. I
have also had seed from odontoglots which has certainly
germinated, but it only arrived at a size which was scarcely
distinguishable without the aid of a microscope, and very
speedily died. So far as the very small experience I possess
as a hybridizer goes, I should say it is far more difficult to raise
the seedlings of some hybrid crossings than it is to raise very
delicate children. Those errors I referred to in the few opening
remarks I made, of diet and treatment, which I am afraid
all our knowledge has not enabled us to avoid with regard
to children, the very limited experience we have got with
regard to the progeny of Orchids does not enable us
to avoid in their treatment. A very singular circumstance is
mentioned by Mr. Fitzgerald in his book on " Australian Orchids,"
which shows the extreme difficulty with which they are
fertilized. He mentions a magnificent specimen of the Dendrobium
speciosum, the Brisbane Lily, and says that there were no
fewer than 40,000 flowers open at the same time on that plant ;
but though the plant was growing in the open air and was open
to the visits of insects, only one flower produced a seed pod.

There was one circumstance I omitted 10 refer to in my
opening remarks, which I wish to mention now in con-
nection with Mr. Veitch's name, and which is very appropriate
in that connection. The Veitch Memorial Medal Committee
were so kind as to place at the disposal of the Conference
Committee three medals. The Conference Committee were
anxious to award these medals in the directions which
they thought most appropriate. On previous occasions these
medals have been awarded for very remarkable instances
of cultivation in Orchids, but we thought we might properly

48 REPORT ON THE

make a departure on this occasion from precedents, and con-
sequently the committee have decided to award the three medals
in this way — one medal to Professor Keichenbach for his very
eminent services in connection with scientific . Orchidology,
services of which Mr. Veitch has made an appropriate recogni-
tion, and services which everybody interested in Orchids feels
to have been of the most remarkable nature. The next medal we
thought we should like to award to a gentleman whose name is
immortalized in connection with many Orchids, which he was
the first to discover and introduce into this country. That
gentleman is the Kev. W. S. Parish, who was for a long time
a chaplain in the East India Service, stationed in Burmah, and
to whose discoveries we owe a large number of Burmese
Orchids. (Hear, hear.) The award in the case of the third
medal, I think, renders my mentioning the matter especially
appropriate on this occasion. We thought we could not more
wisely award it than to that very skilful hybridizer, Mr. Seden —
(hear, hear) — to whose skill we owe many of the beautiful
hybrids which have been produced in Mr. Veitch's nursery. Of
course, in awarding that last medal we did not at all overlook
the services rendered by a gentleman whom I saw in the room
a short time ago, I mean Mr. Dominy. (Hear, hear.) But we
had only three medals to award, and so, of course, we could not
award more than three, and we thought perhaps it would be
more judicious to award a medal to a soldier who is still fighting
in the ranks than to a veteran — great as our debt of gratitude
is to him — who has retired from them. (Applause.)

Mr. VEITCH : May I say that, representing as I do the
Veitch family, nothing could gratify me more than that the
medal founded in our father's memory should have been given
to Seden. He entered my father's service twenty-five years ago,
and has been in our employ ever since, and a more zealous
foreman it would be impossible to find. I wish to bear testi-
mony to my pleasure that Seden should have the medal.

Mr. B. T. LOWNE : I wish to point out that one of the
difficulties in rearing seedling Orchids arises, I believe, from the
fact that the pollen is only developed from the prolification of
the mother cells, after the pollinia are placed upon the stigma.
I think it is possible that the stimulation due to the presence of
the pollinia gives rise to the development of the capsule, even
whilst the ovales remain unimpregnate.

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 49

Mr. JAMES B AXEMAN then rose and said : I have particular
pleasure in proposing a vote of thanks to Mr. Yeitch for his
admirable paper. I am sure that he, and Mr. Dominy also,
will know and appreciate the effort it costs me to make this
proposal, for I have been brought up with the very strongest
abhorrence of hybridizers. (Laughter.) I fell into evil hands
early in life. My first Orchid-growing friend wras Mr. Huntly.
When I paid Mr. Huntly a visit at his snug rectory in
Huntingdonshire, he pointed out to me his cacti and his Orchids,
and said, " I like those plants, in fact they are the only plants
I grow, because those fiends (meaning the hybridizers) cannot
touch them." (Laughter.) You must make a little allowance
for a botanist, for hybridizers do give botanists a lot of trouble —
(laughter) — but, however strong my prejudices wrere, I must
confess that wrhen I saw such plants as the cattleya down-
stairs, if I was not converted, I was, at all events, what
comes to the same thing, shut up. (Laughter. ) I have the
greatest pleasure in moving this vote of thanks to Mr. Veitch.
(Applause.)

Mr. JOHN DAY said he had great pleasure in seconding the
motion, for he thought Mr. Veitch richly deserved the thanks of
the Conference for his splendid paper. Mr. Bateman had
already said all that was necessary, and he had nothing to add
except that he was sure everybody would join in thanking
Mr. Yeitch most cordially.

The vote of thanks was then carried unanimously.

Mr. YEITCH, responding to the vote, said : I am exceedingly
obliged to you, ladies and gentlemen, for your kindness. I look
upon you all here as one large family, and if anyone can con-
tribute to the pleasure of those they meet, or can add to the
scientific knowledge of the country, I think it is his duty to do
so. Mr. Bateman is such a kind-hearted, genial gentleman,
that many a time I have asked myself why, when he came into
my houses, he used to act in such an extraordinary manner
when he saw a hybrid. Now I have found it out ; it was this
friend of his who he has mentioned who set him the bad
example. (Laughter.) However, I am very glad to find that
Mr. Bateman has lived sufficiently long to get rid of his pre-
judices against the hybrids, and I hope I shall before long be
able to name one after him. (Laughter.)

D

50 REPORT ON THE

The PRESIDENT then called upon Mr. O'Brien to read his
paper on

" THE CULTIVATION OF ORCHIDS."

Mr. JAMES O'BRIEN said : The subject of Orchid culture being
almost inexhaustible, I shall only be able to touch briefly upon some
of its phases, and in doing so, whilst endeavouring to make some
remarks acceptable to all Orchid growers, I shall direct them
principally towards the amateur. A glance at what has been
written on the subject many years ago, proves that there may be
rules laid down for the culture of any or all of the Orchids, and
that a good result once attained may always be secured by
following the same line of treatment. Whenever I read a
detailed account of the treatment given to an exceptionally fine
plant by some grower of forty or fifty years ago, I find that in
our practice of to-day we need not depart from it in the least to
ensure' the same good results, which ought, however, to be
attained by us with much less trouble than by those of olden
time, by reason of the much better accommodation we have.

Orchids, from the time of the earliest arrivals, have always
been appreciated, and as early as the year 1800, when the lovely
Aerides odoratum and many other showy things were introduced,
their habits and culture seem to have been understood fairly well,
but the bad construction of the houses and their defective
heating by means of flues and other contrivances militated sadly
against the culture of the small growers and the varieties
requiring cool treatment ; and hence, while many continued the
culture of the more robust kinds, and attracted visitors from
distant parts to see them when in bloom, no general progress
was made until the period between 1835 and 1850, which was
perhaps the richest in importations of fine handsome Orchids.

During that period the fine discoveries of Messrs. Veitch's
collector (Lobb) with aerides, saccolabiums, and vandas ;
Griffiths with his cymbidiums and dendrobes ; Skinner, Barker,
and Hartweg, in Mexico, Guatemala, and along the Andes ; and
other collectors, made quite a revival among the Orchid growers,
and the result of new energy being put into the matter was that
with some of the showier Orchids such perfection was attained
that I fear we could not even now match some of the specimens
mentioned as being exhibited at the Horticultural Society's Shows

OBCHID CONFERENCE. 51

at the famed Chiswick Gardens, where in those days a good
collection of Orchids was to be found. Among the best exhibits
for many years appear those from Mrs. Lawrence's renowned
collection at Baling Park, that home where our worthy President,
Sir Trevor Lawrence, first acquired that love for Orchids which
he has turned to such good account in forming and keeping up,
always in good condition, the best representative collection of
Orchids which was ever got together.

Among the specimens exhibited in 1845-6-7 are enumerated :
from Mrs. Lawrence, Ealing Park, Abides odoratum, with
sixteen leading growths and between thirty and forty flower
spikes ; Cattleya crispa, with over twenty spikes ; Saccolabium
pmmorsum, covered with bloom ; Epidendrum bicorniitum, with
many spikes ; Oncidium ampliatum ma jus, with many spikes,
forming a head of golden flowers over four feet across ; and
Odontoylossum grande, quite worthy of being a leading plant in a
collection. J. H. Schroder, Esq., of Stamford Green, is also
credited with Calanthe veratrifulia, with eighteen spikes, and
many other fine plants. J. J. Blandy, Esq., with Saccolabium
fiuttatum, with eighteen flower spikes. E. S. Holford, Esq., of
Weston Birt, with Aerides odoratum, with twenty-seven to thirty
spikes. Sigismund Kucker, Esq., also produced specimens
which it is pleasant to read about ; and among other things,
Robert Hanbury, Esq., in November, 1845, exhibited a robust
plant of the autumn-flowering Cattleya labiate, with four spikes,
bearing sixteen flowers between them, and forming a specimen
which any of our best collections would be glad to give room to
at the present day.

Of plants described as being very fine in different places forty
years ago, but which are yet rare, and in some cases the
specimens mentioned are not to be matched, are Renanthera
coccinea, in the gardens belonging to A. Palmer, Esq., at Cheam,
with seven panicles on a plant, each bearing from 100 to 110
flowers, and an equally good one of it in the possession of R. S.
Holford, Esq., on one of the panicles of which were one hundred
and seventeen of its showy scarlet flowers. Good specimens are
also mentioned of the yellow Calanthe curculigoides from the
Straits of Malacca ; AngrcBCum bilobum, with a dozen long flower
spikes ; the rose-coloured Eulophia guineensis ; and in the gardens
of the Horticultural Society, in 1847, a Lalia superbiens with nine
large heads of bloom.

D 2

52 EEPOET ON THE

These notes .show that the love for Orchids, which existed
from the time the first plants came into the country, has steadily
increased, and that their widely-diffused culture of the present
day, far from being a modern fashion in flowers, is but the
result of the steady progress of that which always existed, and
always will exist, as long as that love for flowers, which is one
of the chief characteristics of the inhabitants of these isles,
remains. For those who want novelty as well as beauty, too,
there is as good a prospect still as for those who wish simply
for the beautiful, for if we turn to the works of Dr. Lindley,
Professor Keichenbach, and other writers on Orchid lore, we
there see such a host of lovely things figured or described, but
not yet imported, as to prove bewildering even to one, like
myself, who has made Orchids a study from childhood. So far
as I am concerned, I never could see that there was any diffi-
culty in growing the greater part of our handsomest Orchids,
provided the one who took them in hand had a real liking for
them, and a determination to use his own eyes and his best
judgment for their benefit. In such a case success follows
invariably, for Orchids, like the domestic animals, soon find out
when there is one who is fond of them about them, and they
seem to be happy and to thrive and establish an understanding
with such a guardian, indicating to him their wants in many
important matters as plainly as though they could speak.

It is this kind of understanding that should be aimed at,
as it goes a great way towards securing success, as well as
giving pleasure to the pursuit ; and it is the existence or the
want of this kind of relation between the plants and their master
which makes all the difference between a good grower and a bad
one — between a healthy collection and a shabby one. Be sure,
that without someone takes an unfeigned and steady interest in
the plants, they will not thrive, but if one can be found to be
watchful over their interests, and apply what knowledge he can
get by what he sees or reads of in other collections, a good
measure of success is sure ; and hence some of our smaller
amateurs, by their diligence and real liking for their plants,
often grow things to perfection which have puzzled more scien-
tific men. In growing a general collection of Orchids, however,
many stubborn subjects will be met with, but as the bad-doers
of the past have given way, those of the present will follow, no
doubt, in the case of all who steadily persevere. Every point in

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 53

Orchid culture is of importance, one neglected item often causing
failure in some direction or other. Let us glance at a few of the
most important matters, beginning with

THE ORCHID HOUSE.

In this particular we certainly have the advantage over those
of former years, in that we now have compact, well- ventilated,
and comfortably-heated structures ; but these changes were not
made until the Orchid growers themselves took to designing
their own houses or advising with the builders about them, and
from that time a new era in Orchid culture commenced. The
running lights, which were so fond of slipping down in the
night, were done away with ; the swinging-sashes on a level
with the plants on the side-stages were doomed ; those neat
little sliding-traps at the base of the house, and those convenient
top ventilators, substituted, and many other sanitary matters
arranged, which anyone may see to perfection in that fine new
Cattleya house, and those other recently-built structures belong-
ing to William Lee, Esq., at "Downside," Leatherhead, where one
of our largest, best, and best-housed collections will be found,
many of the convenient arrangement in those houses being of
Mr. Lee's own designing. At Baron Schroder's, too, at " The
Dell," Egham, some of the best of our modern improvements,
combining usefulness and ornament, will be found ; and as the
plants contained in the houses are of the best and rarest, a visit
to them is a great pleasure to any Orchid grower.

In former times it used to be considered imperative to build
the Orchid houses running east and west, and many adhere to
that plan still ; many also consider that a lean-to or three-quarter
span facing north is the best for odontoglossurns and cold-house
plants. For my part, I cannot say that houses of any other
aspect are not as good as these, provided they be properly
arranged in other respects. A north house is certainly very
cool, and good for cold-house .plants, and particularly mas-
devallias in summer ; but, from the very conflicting evidence I
have gathered in different parts of the country, I should say that
anyone having houses which they wish to devote to Orchids need
not be deterred by their facing this way or facing that, or in
building new ones to greatly inconvenience themselves to make
their houses run in any particular direction.

£4 REPORT ON THE

Tolerably low, span-roofed houses are the best to build for
most Orchids, and in building them, no two should be placed
together side by side, but each should be built apart, in order to
allow of the bottom ventilation being effected by traps opening
into the outer air. In some cases, where this has been neglected,
chambers from end to end, with openings at intervals, and other
intricate contrivances, have been resorted to, but all to no
purpose, as the houses have gone back to the style of those of
very many years ago, and are practically tmventilated, as we
now understand the word. It is to the even balancing of the
ventilation, by means of the bottom ventilators opening into the
outer air, and the top ones at the highest point of the house,
that we, in a great measure, may attribute our much better
culture of odontoglossums, masdevallias, cattleyas, &c., than
the Orchid growers of former years displayed. Next in import-
ance after the ventilation, comes

THE STAGING.

This, by common consent, seems to be best when an open
woodwork staging is raised over a close one, containing either
water or shingle, which is kept moist. Some, indeed, grow
moss on this close staging, and ferns underneath them ; but
although such arrangement is perhaps beneficial whilst the
ferns keep clean, they are so liable to thrips and other insects
that they are better kept out of the Orchid houses, in my
opinion. The open woodwork staging is certainly very good
above the close and moisture-supplying one, and great need of
it might be seen formerly in the presence of large numbers
of inverted flower-pots for raising the plants.

As a further means of giving moisture and storing rain-water,
which alone should be used, wherever it can be obtained, for
watering Orchids, too much space cannot be devoted to open
rain-water tanks under the stages. Plants watered with rain-
water alone have a great advantage over those watered with
water from any other source, and Mr. Bateman records his
opinion that they are not attacked by those small snails which
are so troublesome where they abound. From my own observa-
tion I can say that I believe there is a good foundation for the
statement.

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 55

WATERING ORCHIDS.

The watering of Orchids is a matter on which much depends.
It is now pretty generally understood that all evergreen Orchids,
either terrestrial or epiphytal, require plenty of water when
growing freely, and less when not growing ; that those which
lose their leaves, such as some dendrohes, invariably require a
period of rest, during which water is entirely witheld and a lower
temperature given, and that odontoglossums, masdevallias, and
the other cold-house things, want water summer and winter ; but
I find the resting or drying-off system is often overdone, and
plants injured accordingly, and that in some collections the plants
would be much better if watered all the year round than dried
as they are to such an extent that they cannot recover in the
growing season what they lose in the so-called resting period.

My own opinion is that any drying-off which causes
shrivelling is wrong, and that cattleyas, laelias, and similar
plants, if properly potted, do best kept moist, even when not
actively growing ; but care must be taken to see that they are
not in bad peat. As a rule, it would be much better for the
plants we often see in small collections if they had one-half the
quantity of potting material about them and twice the quantity
of water they get given them. Syringing a house of Orchids
should never be done, and the syringes should be only used for
moistening the staging and back walls, or doing any other work
on which it can be certainly employed without harm. When
used on the plants the operator cannot tell what he is doing,
and in the hands of a thoughtless person the syringe is the
most mischievous instrument ever introduced. There can be
no rule for its use among Orchids as a means for distributing
water, and certainly no benefit that can be set against the loss
of young growths and decayed flower-spikes which must follow
an indiscriminate use of it.

ON POTTINQ ORCHIDS.

And now it will be well to notice a few matters connected
with the potting and materials used. For growing the epiphytal
Orchids in the early days of Orchid culture, blocks or logs of
wood were largely used, with, in many cases, wire baskets for
the more spreading kinds. These baskets were first made of
iron wire, but this being found to be objectionable on account of
its rusting, copper wire was substituted. Soon it got found out

5C REPORT ON THE

I

that Orchid roots and young growths did not like metallic
substances, and slate was employed to make baskets of different
shapes, which were fitted with wire suspenders. Later on the
designs were very varied and fanciful, baskets being made
of scollop-shells, cocoa-nut husks, rods of hazel, oak, and
maple, all of which were found objectionable for some reason or
other.

During all this time the ordinary flower-pot was making
way, disguised to meet the case by having holes and slits to
accommodate the air roots. This fashion of flower-pot at length
became extensively used, but as it was alleged against it that it
harboured insects, it had to give way to the plain, common
garden pot, which is now doing such great service. But I am
sure that we have allowed the common flower-pot to encroach
too far, and that while we beat our predecessors with odonto-
glossums, masdevallias, and many other things which do per-
fectly well in pots, we have certainly lost ground with
saccolabiums, aerides, and plants of that nature ; so much so,
that they are but poorly represented in many otherwise good
collections. My own opinion is that it is solely through potting
them instead of basketing them, and that in pots the chances
are against them on many points. Their large fleshy roots do
not get the air in pots that they do in baskets, and when potted
they are generally placed on the stage too far from the glass,
and retain the water given them longer than these plants like.

Against these arguments it is said, with much truth, that it
is impossible to suspend everj^hing, and that when baskets are
used they are dangerous to the plant when decaying. To this
it may be answered that if it is for the benefit of the plant, some
means of raising it to a fair distance from the glass should be
found, and that if the saccolabiums and aerides have done well
in baskets, which would have done badly in pots, the trouble of
removing the old basket and replacing it with a new one ought
not to be considered. The saccolabium specimens at Mrs.
Lawrence's, that with twenty spikes at Mr. Blandy's, and all the
others in those days were in baskets, and I do not think their
equals will ever be found in pots.

The Orchid baskets, too, are so much improved in the
present day that all objection to them has been removed, and I
venture to predict a great future for them. I should like those
wrho are not satisfied with their saccolabiums, aerides, and smaller

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 57

van das, to try them in baskets, using plenty of crocks and charcoal
where obtainable, and only a little sphagnum moss.

In growing this class of plants, if the growers would but take
the hint from the denrobes, which grow with them in their
native habitats, and make the growing-time of the saccolabium
to correspond with theirs, they would give their plants less heat
and water in winter, and more in spring and summer, and a
better condition would come upon them. The excessive heat
which is often given to saccolabiums and aerides, and given, too,
in winter, and while they are so far away from what little light
there is, stunts them, prevents their flowering, and makes it
hard work for them even to live.

MATERIALS FOR POTTING.

Now as to materials for potting. Good living sphagnum for
saccolabiums, aerides, vandas, phahenopsis, angraecums, and others
of like growth, and the fibre of peat composed of fern root alone
for cattleyas and kelias, has always been considered the best.
Unfortunately, much of the peat of late years has been of grass
and heath root, which is liable to rapid decay, and consequently
to cause injury to the plants. Various materials, such as cocoa-
nut fibre, have been advanced to supersede peat, but none have
proved acceptable. I therefore recommend all who wish their
plants well to keep to the sphagnum moss and the best peat they
can get, using the less of the latter when it is not good, and to leave
experiments to others. There are always plenty ready to try
new things, and curiously enough it is never the learner who
carries the experiments to a serious conclusion, but the well-tried
old hand, who, having done all that is good and reasonable, goes
in for a new idea on a large scale.

I can call to mind several unaccountable instances of this
kind, in one of which I remember a clever grower in the north,
who had for years grown his plants to perfection, suddenly
beeame possessed with the idea that chopped sphagnum, and
what appeared to me to be road-grit, was the proper thing for all
Orchids, and forthwith he proceeded to pot them in it. In
another case I found that a previously well-grown collection had
been potted in sphagnum moss and what I was told was prepared
cocoa-nut fibre. How effectual the preparation was in getting
the plants ready to depart this life I need not say.

Above all things a steady perseverance in what others have

58 REPORT ON TfiE

found to be a correct method of treatment answers best, and it
is better to leave doubtful experiments to their originators until
they are proven. The worst of it is that wonder-workers are
never tired of getting others to injure their plants by trying their
schemes, and hence much mischief occurs. For my part I have
generally found that the extreme practices, which we hear of
from time to time, in the end only go to prove the extraordinary
tenacity of life in Orchids, and their adaptability to the different
kinds of treatment they must necessarily receive at different
hands.

SHADING AND HEATING.

Next comes the shading and heating of the Orchid house.
With respect to the shading, I am convinced that all Orchids
should be shaded against the direct rays of the sun, and that the
shading should, where possible, be varied in thickness according
to the plants contained in the house. Some of those very thin
materials we see exhibited, when strengthened with webbing, do
admirably for laelias and other Mexican and Brazilian plants ;
the medium textures for cattleyas, and the thickest for cypri-
pediums, masdevallias, and all cold-house plants, all East Indian
Orchids, and all terrestial Orchids, such as Calanthe veratrij'olin,
Phajus Wallichii, &c. These grow in dense jungles, and bright
sunlight dwarfs them and altogether spoils them.

I saw a remarkable instance of this recently in a garden
where a Calanthe veratrifolia had been kept in a sunny house for
years, and had always been a miserable and stunted object. At
length it was placed out of the way on the centre bed, and
underneath the tall plants, which effectually hid it from view.
In a very short time it became a robust, free -flowering plant.
I have seen many similar cases where excessive sunlight under
glass has had much the same effect as excessive cold would have
done. I therefore assert that although most Orchids require a
clear light, yet when grown under glass all of them should be
sheltered from the unbroken rays of the sun from the time it
gets the power to injure until its power wanes. For Orchids in
flower a thick shading is absolutely necessary, as the flowers last
twice as long shaded, and draw on the strength of the plants
much less than they do when exposed to the sun. As regards
the heating of Orchid houses, I early found that it was necessary
to have some plan, and to adhere to it, checking it by the

ORCHID CONFERENCE.

59

thermometer. I therefore compiled the following scale for the
whole year : —

TABLE OF TEMPERATURES FOR ORCHID HOUSES.

MONTHS.

WARM HOUSE.
EAST INDIAN.

CATTLBYA, OB
INTERMEDIATE
HOUSE.

COOL, OR
ODONTOGLOSSUM
HOUSE.

January

Day.
Degrees.
65—70
65—70
65—70
65— 70
70—75
75—80
75 — 85
75—85
75—80
70—75
65—70
65—70

Night.
Degs.
60
60
60
60
65
70
70
70
70
65
60
60

Day.
Degrees.
60—65
60—65
60—65
60—65
65-70
70—75
70—80
70—80
70—75
65—70
60—65
60—65

Night.
Degs.
55
55
55
55
60
65
65
65
65
60
55
55

Day.-
Degrees.
50—55
50 — 55
55—60
55—60
60—65
60—65
60—70
60—70
60—65
60—65
55—60
50—55

Night.
Degs.
45
45
50
50
55
55
55
55
55
55
50
45

February

March

April .

VrF !
May

r"v

June

July

August

September

October i

November

December

Degrees Fahrenheit. The higher day temperature to be attained by
Sun-heat when possible.

This scale cannot, of course, be followed to the letter, neither
is it necessary that it should be ; it is intended rather to give a
basis on which to operate, to enforce a strict guard over the
regulation of the heating, and to the preserving of that lower
night temperature which is of such vital consequence to the
plants, and which should in all cases be insured by night ventila-
tion and by every other means at command. In summer the
prescribed temperature will often be exceeded, but it hardly
matters by how much if the extra rise is due to sun-heat, and
the houses in which the plants are are properly shaded and kept
moist.

ARRANGEMENT OF THE PLANTS.

And now the manner of the arrangement of the plants in the
houses demands attention, as I am bound to confess that in all
ages of Orchid culture, even down to this day, a great mortality
has always prevailed among small growing plants. This arises,
probably, in many cases, from excessive heat and too little air,
but in by far the greater number of cases by the lesser plants
being made to occupy the front portions of the graduated stages,
thus reversing the proper order of things, and placing the strong

60 KEfcOKT ON THfc

plants near the glass and the weak and dwarf ones the farthest
from it. From this cause I am sure the periodical scarcity of the
ionopsis, trichocentrums, comparettias, barkerias, and such like
frail things may, in a great measure, be attributed to the distance
they are grown from the glass. Indeed, it is of the highest
importance that in general practice some attempt should be made
to arrange the plants with relation to the distance from the glass
of the roof according to their height and general growth. Hence,
the very smallest should always be grown on blocks, rafts, or in
baskets or shallow pans, and the others arranged according to
their heights, as nearly as the necessity for occupying all the
staging will permit.

Allowing 1 ft. from the glass as the safety line, a good rough
rule may be laid down that every small or medium-sized true
epiphytal Orchid will do best if brought to within its own height
of that line ; thus, if a plant is 12 ins. high it should be brought
to within 2 ft. of the glass of the roof; if 1 ft. 6 ins. to 2 ft. 6 ins.,
and so on until the larger and stronger growing kinds, which will
do in any position, are reached.

The rule should be approached as nearly as possible with
small things, but with large ones a distance of 3 ft. from the glass
is a convenient and good one. Of course, this rule, like every
other in -such an elastic matter as Orchid culture, cannot be
adhered to in all cases, but if steadily kept in mind and followed
where practicable, it will be found of the greatest service in pre-
serving the delicate subjects. Cypripediums, rnasdevallias, cool-
house Orchids generally, and terrestrial Orchids, although
requiring some consideration in the same way, are not included
in those which it is absolutely necessary to arrange after some
modification of the before-mentioned plan. I may also add that
fumigation, which is so injurious to many Orchids, claims many
victims from the small growers, and it is best for each grower
to find some safe liquid insecticide than to resort to fumigating
at all.

And now after I have endeavoured to gain converts by
showing that Orchid culture is a pleasant occupation to those
who possess some skill and much diligence, and who are willing
to observe nature and follow her dictates in the culture of their
plants, demanding of them only twelve months' work in a year,
exercising their judgment in all cases to the best of their ability,
'and maintaining the most scrupulous cleanliness in houses,

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 61

plants, and everything around their plants, let me finish with a
few observations as to the cost of the plants.

THE COST OF ORCHIDS.

On this head it may safely be said that never were good
showy Orchids to be obtained at more convenient prices, and
that the present regulation of supply and demand, while pre-
senting to the wealthy collector rare plants for which he must
pay well, at the same time offer to him who finds a congenial
pastime in tending his one or two little houses of Orchids,
plenty of beautiful things as well within the reach of his purse
as any ordinary plant would be. Indeed, good things are
cheaper now than ever they were, and with the exception of a
few very high prices, those realized now-a-days are not the
outcome of a new Orchid craze, as a comparison with former
prices will prove.

Bare things, according to the esteem in which they are held
in their day, have always commanded good prices. In March,
1846, at a sale of Guatemalan Orchids at Steven s's, Ccelia
macrostachya realized £10 to £12 10s. ; Barkeria spectabilis, £5
to £17 each; Epidendrum Stamfordiamim , 5 guineas; Lfflia
superbiens, £13 to £15 ; Morrnodes and Epidendrums, 5 to 10
guineas each, and Arpophyllums, £10 to £15 each ; the 168 lots
realizing £600. In 1845, D. aqueum fetched £10 a plant, and
later on D. formosum 15 guineas, other dendrobes, £10 to £12
each ; Oncidium macranthiim, £5 to £8 each. In 1847, the
imported plants of Vanda Loicii fetched from £10 to £25 each ;
Aerides maculosum, £20 ; A. crispum, £21 ; A. odoratum, £16, and
others equally high prices ; Mrs. Lawrence, the Earl of Derby,
Mr. Backer, and Mr. Schroder being the principal buyers.
Notes taken at the same period also tell us that errors of
description were more frequent in former times than in ours.
A nsellia Africana is described as having immense sprays of hand-
some flowers each as large as a tulip, and in another case the
auctioneer is entrusted with the sale of a bright scarlet vanda !

It will, therefore, be seen that ever since Orchids were
introduced they could command prices according to their beauty
or rarity, and so no doubt it will continue to be. Let us hope
that the now great facilities for obtaining handsome things,
formerly very expensive, may, with the aid of the display of
their beauties at this Conference, induce many new growers to

62 REPORT ON THE

commence, each according to his means, for out of such ranks
our great Orchid growers of the future will be recruited.

At the conclusion of Mr. O'Brien's paper the Chair was taken
by Professor Michael Foster, in the place of the President, who
was called away. On the motion of the Chairman a hearty vote
of thanks was accorded to Mr. O'Brien, and shortly afterwards
the Conference adjourned for an hour for luncheon. On
reassembling Mr. W. Lee took the Chair. The next subject on
the paper for discussion was

ORCHID NOMENCLATURE.

Mr. HARVEY, in opening a discussion on this subject, said : I
feel very great diffidence, in the presence of men who know so
much more than I do about Orchids, in alluding to the subject.
My excuse, however, must be that I feel very strongly on the
question of nomenclature. The great difficulty we have to meet
with to-day is the absence of Professor Eeichenbach, without
whom I am afraid we cannot do much in this matter. I think
that, as we have had a Conference on the nomenclature of daffodils,
we ought to have one on the nomenclature of Orchids ; and,
indeed, it is especially required. Now, although I do not suppose
that it is in the power of the present Conference to decide that
the Orchid Conference Committee shall be a permanent institution,
I suppose the Council of the Eoyal Horticultural Society could
do so, and what I would venture humbly to suggest is this, that
the latter body should be asked to accept the recommendation of
this Conference, that the Committee should be appointed per-
manently. I feel sure that nothing can be done in the matter of
nomenclature without Professor Eeichenbach, and therefore the
mode in which we ought to act seems to me to be that we should
ask the Society, on the recommendation of this meeting, to make
the Orchid Conference Committee permanent, and that we should
take steps to secure the presence of Professor Eeichenbach at a
future date, and then go into the question in a systematic and
scientific manner. (Hear, hear.) I think I know some things
which perhaps I ought not to mention, but I believe Professor
Eeichenbach's attendance might be secured if we took the right
mode of doing it. Unfortunately, the learned gentleman's health
is not very good, but I think he would come, and, in fact, I have
had a letter from him saying that he would be present to-day.

The CHAIRMAN : The question of nomenclature of Orchids is
a very extensive one, and is one which, I think, cannot be

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 68

properly dealt with on the present occasion. When the Com-
mittee put this question down on the paper for consideration
to-day, it was hoped and expected that Professor Keichenbach
would carry out his promise to come to the Conference, and we
had intended to refer the whole of this question to that gentle-
man, and to get him to give us a paper on the subject, as we
want a little direction in that wray. If the question of the
nomenclature of daffodils was of importance, surely the question
of the nomenclature of Orchids is of much more importance. At
present we are rather at sea about the nomenclature of Orchids,
as we have only just a few names which have been given to us by
Professor Keichenbach, and we want a more extended and
general consolidation of this question. I am, therefore, afraid
that it cannot be discussed on this occasion. The question might
be referred, in the manner Mr. Harvey has suggested, to the
Orchid Conference Committee, before they quite close their
labours, and they would certainly bring the question forward and
not lose sight of it. More than that I do not think we can do
to-day, but of course \ve shall be happy to hear any remarks
on the question, if any gentleman has anything to say.

Mr. LYNCH observed that it was of course necessary in the
first place to ascertain all that could be learned about every
individual plant, and then they might be compared in series
which should be as complete as it was possiblo to get them.
This would, he thought, give the best results scientifically and
horticulturally. This system had been applied to the Iris
family, and as there appeared to be something in common
between the Iris and the Orchid, it would perhaps be possible to
take the Iris example and apply it to the classification of Orchids.

Mr. O'BRIEN said he had only to observe that if they were
to defer the matter of nomenclature until they could secure
Professor Eeichenbach's attendance, they ought not to go too far
in it at present. For his own part he was prepared to make a
few observations on the subject, but on the lines they had now
laid down he thought it better to defer them.

Mr. BURBIDGE remarked that in his mind there was nothing
whatever to prevent the Orchid Conference Committee from
discussing the matter among themselves, though perhaps they
could not do so in public.

It was then agreed that the question should be deferred to a
future date.

64 REPORT ON THE

THE USE OF MANURE IN ORCHID GROWING.

THE CHAIRMAN : I have just had laid before me the question
of — what shall I say ? — the question of the use of manure in
the cultivation of Orchids. Now all manures are composed more
or less of substances of an aciduons nature, but I have had one
kind of manure brought to my notice which is quite free from
acid of any kind. It is the fish manure of Messrs. Jensen and
Co., of which firm Mr. Alfred Berwick, who is a member of our
Society, and who I hope is here to-day, is one of the proprietors.
I should like to call upon Mr. Berwick, if here, to tell us something
of the experience he has had in the cultivation of Orchids with
this particular kind of manure.

Mr. ALFRED BORWICK then rose and said : I have some
difficulty in complying with the request of the Chairman in this
matter, because the idea of anything like manuring Orchids is
horrible to most Orchid growers. It has often been a source of
regret to me to see so many Orchids dwindle, if not possibly pass
out of existence, after they have heavily flowered, not from any
want of care or devotion, for that is generally in excess of the
demand, but apparently from a deficiency of strength, or in other
words a species of starvation. I am led to think this must be
the case from information conveyed by travellers and collectors,
that birds throng the trees upon which Orchids are found, and
that they supply in their dung a rich diet, containing, as it does,
ammonia, phosphoric acid, and some potash, which is washed by
the rains and dews into the interstices of the trunks, so that the
plants not only enjoy the advantage offered by residence on
living trees, but the stimulant and food provided by the
birds. Terrestrial Orchids in the same way have the
benefit of decaying vegetation, which supplies stores of
ammonia. As soon as plants come into house cultivation,
there is at once an end to these rich manurial provisions,
and they have to depend upon moss, peat, charcoal and crocks,
with possibly occasional charges of liquid manure, for their
subsistence. In all the soils and ingredients used for potting
Orchids there is little trace of potash or other manurial con-
stituent, and nothing goes to promote the development of fibre
in plants like potash. The aim is to produce bulbs of largest
size and firmest growth, but that is impossible unless there are
healthy roots in abundance, and these roots can obtain a sufficient
amount of nourishment to supply the fibres, of which the bulbs

OECHID CONFERENCE. 65

mainly consist. The manure which I have used for some time
is that of Messrs. J. Jensen and Co., 10, St. Helen's Place, E.G.,
who are engaged in the manufacture offish manure at theLoffoden
Islands, the seat of the great Norwegian cod fisheries. When I
tell you that this year no fewer than 32,000,000 of large fish
were caught, you can form some slight idea of the magnitude of
the fisheries. The fish are gutted, the bodies salted for food, the
livers go to make oil, while the heads and backs are available for
manure. They are dried, pulverised, and reach England in the
form and condition of flour. The average manurial constituents
of dried cod-fish are 10-60 ammonia, and 30 phosphates. Grand
as these ingredients are in themselves, they are wanting in one
thing, namely, potash. If this is absent, it is impossible to obtain
perfect fertilization ; wherever it is present in due degree, the
effect is astonishing in the vigour and rigidity of plant growth.
Refined salts of potash and magnesia are added to the fish manure,
and at once produce a perfect fertilizer of similar constitution to
bird dung, and containing the essential constituents of ammonia,
phosphoric acid, and potash, in the form most available for plants.
In this manure there is no acid used ; fishbone is very gelatinous
and when sufficiently pulverised dissolves in the soil, so none is
needed. Seeing, as I did, the effect of this combination on all
pot plants, it struck me that Orchids might like it also. Last
August I began to experimentalize upon a plant of CymUdium
Loivii, and requested my gardener to put half-an-ounce on the
soil. We soon observed a darker colour in the foliage ; in four
or five weeks two strong growths appeared, which proved to be
flower spikes ; as they grew more fish potash was added from
time to time. Since then there are five breaks, four of them of
strength sufficient to content anyone. I then ordered its use for
ah1 terrestrial orchids, Lycastes, Calanthes, Sophronites, Phaius,
Zygopetalums, Odoiitoglossmns, Masdevallias, Dendrobimns, and
even for Oncidiums and Laelias. So far, vigour seems to be on the
ascendant, and I see no reason whatever to retire from the line
taken up or to alter my views. The plan of operations is simple.
My gardener uses more peat round the sides of the pots, and he
merely dusts the peat with a pinch of the manure, and wherever
the fish potash is, there the roots work. Mr. Wm. Bull told
me a fortnight ago that it was a vexed question as to what
extent manures could be used for the cultivation of Orchids, and
one which demanded the consideration of growers. The manure

66 REPORT ON THE

to which I have alluded is very easily obtained and applied. I
would not recommend anyone to make trials, except on plants of
little value, and then no harm can be done. If it is found
serviceable in the way indicated, there will then be timej^to
consider a wider application. (Applause).

The CHAIRMAN : I do not know whether any cultivators of
Orchids here have ever ventured to try any manure on their
plants. I have never heard of its being done, but if any gentle-
man here has made the experiment we shall be very glad to hear
what he has to say.

Mr. HARVEY : I did once try an experiment with manure on
a Cymbidium Lowii, but I very nearly killed it.

Mr. JAMES : For some years past we have been in the habit
of using pure horse urine, after it had been diluted, on many
Orchids, and we have always found that, when used, it has proved
very beneficial, especially in the growing season. We are using
it largely for damping the stages and paths at night, when a
heavy dew quickly arises. I think, if we take into consideration
what Mr. Borwick has already hinted at, the fact that plants
invariably suffer extremely after carrying their heavy spikes, it
seems to impress one with the thought that there is some
necessity for sustaining the strength. The question has been
raised of late years as to whether Orchids benefit by having
their spikes removed after they are formed. I have no doubt
in my own mind that it is a marvellous advantage if you want
to gain strength in the plants. I have an instance of the
Odontoyhssum Alexandra. Two years ago we took very special
care of it as being an extra good one. Somehow a« small slug
got into it and eat the spike out and it at once began to
make two bulbs, but most unfortunately the spikes got eaten
out of the two bulbs. The result has been that this year it has
made a double growth from each bulb, and now it has four heads
to the plant, and, marvellous to say, it has sent up nine spikes
to the flower, an instance which I have not seen before in an
Alexandra. One bulb has three spikes on the side of the double
leaf. I take it for granted that this must be merely a question
of strength from raising the plant, which was a moderately
strong one. Further, I think, that as regards the question of
some kind of nutriment, it is not so much a question of what
kind is applied, but rather of how it is applied. If you drench
the flowers with pure horse urine diluted and use it in watering,

ORCHID CONFEBENCE. 67

it benefits the plant, because from tbe constant moisture going
up in the growing season, the plant must take in the ammonia
which is constantly rising. With reference to syringing, I do
not think that all our friends would have agreed with Mr.
O'Brien in never using the syringe, and I think that statement
would require qualification. We have always used weak liquid
manure on the surface of the plants, and a moderately good
practical rule is not to use it strong enough to injure the flower.
I do contend that the syringe is beneficial in the growing
season, especially when the nights are genial and there are no
frosts. I think that manure is quite beneficial, and I have
satisfied myself on the matter with reference to the many
different things we have used. The difficulty which many meet
with in using artificial manures, and which I myself have met
with, is that of beginning by applying it too strong. Whenever
people begin to use it they begin with it too strong. If they
would only use it weaker and then proceed to ascertain for
themselves the plants that will take the strongest kind, they
will not have so many failures.

Mr. BURBIDGE : In connection with what Mr. James has said
as to cutting off the spikes of Orchids, I have no doubt that
must be of the greatest assistance to the plant. Twelve or fifteen
years ago the finest plants in England were those in the collec-
tion of Mr. E. Salt, at Ferniehurst. I never saw plants which
grew so well, and all their growth was owing to the spikes
being cut off. Mr. Salt had a delicate wife who could not go
into the Orchid house, and the consequence was that Mr. Salt
cut the spikes at once, even before the last flower on the spikes
had expanded ; and I believe that it was owing to that that they
were the finest specimens I ever saw. The question of manure
for Orchids is a very delicate question. Mr. James tells us we
must not use the manure too strong, I think the best point in
Mr. Berwick's paper was, when he told us to use the manure
on our common plants. I am very anxious to put the point in
this way, because if young growers begin to use manure without
having some proportion given to them, some absolutely exact
data as to cases in which manure has been successfully used,
they will simply be playing with fire. I am very anxious to
put these points before the meeting, because I have often seen
these plants so badly injured by an indiscriminate use of
manure.

68 REPORT ON THE

Mr. JAMES : I contend that the flowers draw up their nutri-
ment from the dew of the house in a very much larger measure
than from anything in the peat ; and I say again, that if the
manure is not too strong it is beneficial to the plant. I do not
think for a moment that any young grower would be so stupid
as to water any plant with liquid manure. There is just now
springing up an idea that young men are the right men to
conduct the affairs of the world, both in gardening and in every-
thing else. Perhaps old men are not always wise, yet I do
think that if young men do begin to water Orchids with liquid
manure they will do a very stupid thing. At any rate, I think
it would be a wise method to practice first of all on those plants
you care the least about in regard to value.

Mr. DRUITT : I simply wish to say that I consider the use of
manures to be distinctly beneficial to terrestrial Orchids.

Mr. HEATH (Cheltenham) : The question of watering Orchids
with manure is a most difficult one, and one that will have to
be argued out by practical people. There is no doubt that
Orchids are watered by a great many growers with manure, but
they generally like to keep their secret to themselves. As regards
Orchid manuring we have not used it over the tops of the pots,
but we have used on several occasions cow manure, sheep
manure, and horse manure, and wre also tried the three together
with a small addition of soot. We found the plants were very
vigorous for a year or two, but after that we were bound to
wash the entire plants out, for we found they got rather a yellow
hue. Since that time we potted them, and instead of watering
them overhead we have thrown down in the house manures, in the
way of nitrate of soda and sulphate of ammonia, and after a week
or so we found the plants became of a most brilliant dark green
colour. The only thing we find is, that all the different classes
of dendrobia and cypripedia will take a large quantity of liquid
manure of any sort ; but tender roots do not take so large an
amount of manure of the same strong kind. We have tried
this plan now for six years.

The CHAIRMAN : Most of the remarks which gentlemen have
made on this subject do not appear to have been upon the
identical question which I introduced, that is, the direct appli-
cation of this powder of fishbone, which is not treated with
acid, as is usual with most manures. But this manure, I am
informed, is absolutely free from all aciduous matter, and

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 69

therefore it suggests itself to my mind as a perfectly novel
manure ; and although we are perfectly well acquainted with
all the methods of getting atmospheric manures, still we are
not so well acquainted with the direct application of this powder
to the roots. It was for this reason that I introduced the ques-
tion, and having introduced it and heard the various remarks
that have been made, we will now leave it.

Dr. MASTERS : It appears to me from what has been said on
this subject, that we have to deal with general principles. In
the first place, we do not know the chemical composition of any
part of the leaf or of the flower, and until we know that, we
cannot have any definite rule as to the right manure to apply
or when to apply it ; but we may certainly say without any fear
of contradiction, that all plants, Orchids not excepted, want
manure, and are the better for it, at a certain time. The thing
to know is, what is the right food to give, and what is the proper
time to give it. The proper food to be given them at one time
is that which will make bulb and leaf, and which at another
time will enable them to form flower and seed. Now, as to the
structure of Orchids, I may perhaps be more at home. The
structure is extraordinarily diversified. The internal structure
of leaves, flowers, and roots, even in the same genus, is widely
different, but I cannot believe that the appropriate food must be
equally different. That we have got to find out in the future.
More especially I would call attention to the roots of these
flowers. There is nothing in nature like the root of an Orchid.
Instead of turning down into water like most other roots, the
Orchid root almost invariably turns up from it ; therefore, if
you dip these roots into liquid manure, I think you will be quite
certain to injure them, as they undoubtedly absorb most of their
food through atmospheric agency.

Mr. BORWICK : I would not use the ordinary bone manure,
because it is so hard by nature that acid is required to make it
mix with the ground. But the manure of which I have spoken
mixes easily with the ground without any acid at all.

Mr. JAMES : Are we to understand that this Orchid Conference
will continue yearly ? If so, I may suggest that on a future
occasion we might exhibit plants that have been put to the
various processes mentioned. In following up what Dr. Masters
has said, I think it is proved to demonstration that the whole
nutriment is taken in by the plant in the way he has suggested.

70 KEPOKT ON THE ORCHID CONFERENCE.

It seems to me that everything points in the direction that the
whole of the nutriment which the plant draws in, whatever it is,
is taken through the air, upon which the plant subsists. Should
we continue this meeting at a future time, I think it would be
worth while for any members who may have special subjects
to bring before the meeting to treat them in their own way.

The CHAIRMAN, after a hearty vote of thanks had been awarded
to Mr. Borwick for his remarks on the question of manures,
said : I cannot give any promise that this meeting will be con-
tinued, because we have hardly got so far as that. When we
first took up this idea -of an Orchid Conference, we did so with
considerable trepidation, because we had not only to consider
the time of the year when people would be in London, but also
the season when plants could be moved without being injured.
Of course, if we want to have the best possible show, we ought
to have it very much earlier ; but then we have to consider
about people being in London, and the question of visitors, and
other matters connected with it. It must be remembered that
this Conference brings no grist to the mill of the Horticultural
Society in any way. We do not take any money at the door,
but it is all done out of the pure love of Orchid growing. (Hear,
hear.) I should say, speaking my own mind and feeling on the
subject, that this Orchid Conference should continue. It has, I
think, been a great success, everybody seems to have been
exceedingly well pleased and satisfied, and I must say a great
deal more interest has been taken in the subject than I ever
expected to see. I was especially glad to see so many gentlemen
come back after the adjournment for lunch. It now only remains
for me to thank you all for your very kind attendance and for
the very patient way in which you have listened to the remarks
that have been made. (Hear, hear.)

Mr. HOLBROOK GASKELL, of Liverpool, then said : I strongly
hope that the Council of the Horticultural Society will see their
way to make this an annual Conference. I am quite sure that
the offcener it is held the more largely it will be attended. I would
wish now to propose that the thanks of the meeting be accorded
to those gentlemen, especially to two of them — Sir Trevor
Lawrence and Mr. Lee — who have taken such a vast deal of
trouble for our entertainment.

This motion having been carried with acclamation, the Chair-
man announced that there would be a Primula Conference next
year, and the proceedings were brought to a close.

REPOKTS

PLANTS EXHIBITED

i.

HORTICULTURAL,

BY

F. W. BUKBIDGE, F.L.S.,

CUKATOK TRINITY COLLEGE BOTANICAL GARDENS, DUBLIN ; FORMERLY OF THE

ROYAL GARDENS, KEW ; MEMBER OF THE " SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE "

OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

II.

BOTANICAL,

H. N. KIDLEY, M.A., P.L.S.,

BOTANICAL DEPARTMENT, BRITISH MUSEUM; ETC., ETC.

REPORT

PLANTS EXHIBITED.

i.

HORTICULTUEAL.

INTRODUCTORY.

ORCHIDS are so extremely popular to-day that the holding of
a special Conference on these plants by the Eoyal Horticultural
Society, in May last, seemed quite natural, seeing that they to
some extent represent the horticultural respectability of many
nineteenth century gardens. That the exhibition was very
successful goes without the saying, and visitors had indeed a
good opportunity of forming for themselves very vivid impres-
sions as to the beauty and variability of these interesting
plants. For the benefit of those, however, wTho were not able
to attend, our report is both critical and explanatory.

One of the first points which strikes one in connection with
the late Conference is the fact that in the main professional
botanists were conspicuous by their absence, so that the burden
of management fell almost entirely on the shoulders of amateur
and trade growers, aided of course to the utmost by the officers
of the Royal Horticultural Society. That the absence of
Professor Reichenbach and others was, in a way, very unfor-
tunate is generally acknowledged, and in what manner I hope
to show in this report under another head. Perhaps it is
best that the Orchid Conference and its results may after

74 REPORT ON THE

all be considered as a successful beginning of the Orchid
question, rather than in any sense final and absolute. At
the same time, were we to compare this meeting with those
held in connection with (1) Apples, and (2) Daffodils, it would
not be quite fair, seeing that in the case of Apples one thousand
five hundred and forty-five varieties of one species (Pyrus
rnalus) only were under consideration, and in the second only
a solitary genus (Narcissus) of about twenty species, and, say,
five or six hundred varieties and forms was discussed. On
the other hand, when we consider that in the natural order
of Orchids we have at least three hundred and thirty-four yenera,
comprising, according to various computations, from six to ten
thousand species, the vast difference between the wider scope of
our present Conference and former ones becomes strikingly
apparent. Even when we grant that we have only about one
thousand five hundred or two thousand species and varieties of
Orchids in cultivation, and for a moment remember that some
or other of these entirely fill up a whole year by their flowering,
it becomes at once apparent that no one Conference or exhibi-
tion can include more than a portion of that number. As a
matter of fact, only fifty- seven genera of Orchids were repre-
sented on this occasion' by about three hundred and fifty species
and varieties. We thus see at a glance what a mere fringe
of the subject was touched upon after all, albeit that the
finest of all the seasonable kinds were exhibited. Besides all
this, one must not fail to point out the fact that the great
trade collections were but poorly represented, owing to the
principal nurserymen having semi-public exhibitions of their
own on view at the same time. It is when we look at the late
Conference in this light that its real importance is seen, notwith-
standing that its necessarily limited representative or seasonable
character becomes also more fully apparent.

It is, however, much to be desired that a meeting so successful
and instructive should be followed by other Orchid meetings of
a similar calibre from time to time. It is almost needless to say
that our climate renders the exhibition of tropical Orchids
nearly impossible, except during the warmest months of the
year ; but if a permanent Orchid Committee were appointed,
much good work might be done by its members, even at the
ordinary flower shows and meetings of the Koyal Horticultural
Society.

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 75

DESCRIPTIVE AND ANALYTICAL LIST OF GENERA, SPECIES, VARIETIES,
AND HYBRIDS SHOWN.

The genera exhibited at the Conference numbered 57 in all,
the total number of species and varieties being 348. The
proportions stand as follows : — Odontoglossum 66, Masdevallia
48, Cypripedium 40, Dendrobium 34, Cattleya 27, Oncidium 19,
and Laslia 11.

The following is a descriptive enumeration, in alphabetical
order, of the genera, species and varieties exhibited : —

ACINETA. — A. Humboldtii is a species from Colombia, of
Stanhopea-like habit. Flowers fleshy or wax-like, yellow spotted
with brown ; odorous. Also known as A. superba, and as
Peristeria Humboldtii.

ADA. — A. aurantiaca is an evergreen species, nearly allied
to Brassia, from Colombia, bearing erect nodding spikes of
vermilion- coloured flowers. The generic name is commemorative
of the Golden God of the Assyrians.

AERIDES. — Five species and varieties were shown. A. Ballan-
tinei, a showy kind; A. Fieldingii, or " the Foxbrush," "Air
Plant ; " A. Houlletianum ; A. quinquevulnerum, the cinque
spotted ; and A. Veitchii.

ANGULOA. — Three kinds were shown, viz., A. Clowesii, with
yellow flowers like deformed tulips ; A. Tumeri ; and A. uniflora
maculata, a purple spotted variety from Peru. A. Clowesii,
commemorates the late Eev. John Clowes, who bequeathed his
collection of Orchids to Kew.

BOLLEA (Huntleya). — Two species only were shown, both
natives of Colombia, viz., B. Lalindei and B. Patini.

BRASSIA. — Only one species, viz., B. cinnamomea (B. Keiliana
= B. glumacea) was shown. It is a native of Merida (? Venezuela),
with greenish-yellow flowers.

BULBOPHYLLUM. — Three species were shown, viz., B. Dearei,
of dwarf habit, with yellow-brown lined flowers ; B. Lobbii, a
smaller- flowered species of similar colour ; and B. Siarnense.
All are of Eastern origin. To this genus B. (Megaclinium)

YO KEPOKT ON THE

oxypterum, an African species, is added by some authors. It is
of botanical interest only. Native of West Africa.

BURLINGTONIA. — Only one species, viz., B. fragrans, from
Brazil, was shown. It has recurved or drooping spikes of
fragrant white flowers, and is very ornamental when well
grown.

CALANTHE. — Two evergreen kinds, viz., C. Dominii (the
first hybrid Orchid), with erect spikes of purplish flowers and
the Javanese C. veratrifolia, were shown. The latter has pure
white blossoms.

The pseudo-bulbous or deciduous section of this genus was
represented by C. vestita igneo oculata, having white red-eyed
flowers, from Moulmein ; also the variety gigantea, with
stouter spikes and larger blossoms ; and Sanderiana, a novel
introduction.

CAMAEOTIS. — An old species, C. purpurea, used formerly to
be a favourite exhibition plant, specimens having been shown
at the Chiswick Flower Shows bearing over a hundred spikes of
its bright rose-purple flowers.

CYPBIPEDIUM.— Forty species and varieties of these interesting
Lady's Slipper Orchids were shown, about twelve of them
being garden hybrids raised by Messrs. Veitch and others. The
most interesting were C. Godefroyae, a novelty, from Cochin
China ; C. argus, a richly spotted kind from the Philippines,
C. barbatum in variety ; C. caudatum, from Peru, with petals
over two feet in length, and a great octopus pouch-like lip.
C. Harrissianum was of interest, as being the first hybrid raised
in the genus, and as having been named in compliment to
Dr. Harris, of Exeter, who suggested to Mr. Dominy the idea of
cross-fertilising Orchids. C. Stonei, from Borneo, and its valuable
ribbon-petalled variety, C. Stonei platytsenium, were well repre-
sented, single plants of the last-named being valued at from
£80 to £140 each. C. lasvigatura is interesting as having been
found growing on the roots of Vanda Baternanii in the
Philippine Isles. 0. Lawrencianurn, found in North Borneo,
is a handsome species, larger than C. barbatum, and named in
compliment to Sir T. Lawrence, Bart.

The other forms shown were C. albo purpureum, barbatum

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 77

grandiflorum, biflorum, Bulleni, calurum, concolor, niveum,
ciliolare, Dayanum, Druryii, grande, Haynaldianum , Hookerae,
Lowii, marmorophyllura, microchilum, Parishii, Pearcei,
Koezlli, Schlimmii, Sedeni candidibulum, Selligerum, do majus,
superciliare, Swannianum, tessellatum porpkyreum, villosum,
vireus, vernixum, Wallisii, and Warneri. Eighty-four plants in
all were shown.

DENDROBIUM. — Thirty-four species and varieties were re-
presented, nearly all being Indian kinds. The most remarkable
were D. Brymerianum, with glossy, gold-coloured flowers, the Up
being deeply fringed ; D. Harveyanum, of similar character, but
having deeply-fringed petals ; D. crassinode album, a white -
blossomed variety of a well-known showy species ; D. albo san-
guineum, a rare kind, with large buff, purple or claret-blotched
flowers. Amongst the most showy were D. Falconeri, D. Ward-
ianurn, D. fimbriatum, D. Dalhousieanum, D. thrysiflorum, D.
macrophyllum, and D. Cambridge anum, all well-known kinds.
The black-haired section (nigro hirsute) were represented by D.
mfundibumrn, D. Jamesianum, D. carmiferurn, and D. cruentum,
the remainder being D. Bensoniaa, D. chrysotoxum, D. clavatum,
D. densiflorum, D. Devonianum, D. fimbriatum, D. Jenkinsi.
a curious little creeping species, D. Paxtoni, D. Pierardi, D.
primuhnium, D. pulchellum, D. rhodostoma, D. SmiUiae, D.
rhodopterygium, D. tetragonium, and one or two others. Sixty -
seven plants in all were exhibited.

DENDROCHILIUM. — D. filiforme was the only species shown,
and is the very epitome of neatness and gracefulness amongst
these charming flowers. The racemes of golden-green blossoms
resemble the most dainty filagree work, and droop from among
the deep green grass-like foliage in the most elegant manner.
Philippines.

DIACRUM. — A very fine and well-cultivated specimen came
from Kew, bearing fine stout spikes of its pure white purple-
dotted flowers. It is commonly known as Epidendrum bicornutum,
and is, together with one or two Schomburghias, remarkable
amongst Orchids in having hollow or cow's-hom-like pseudo-bulbs,
both alike forming shelter for various species of tropical ants.
D. bicornutum is a native of Trinidad, where it has been found
clinging to rocks quite near to high-water mark, and within reacli
of the salt spray.

78 REPORT ON THE

DISA. — Two well-grown specimens of Disa grandiflora (the
" Flower of the Gods ") were shown, neither being in bloom.
It is the most showy of all terrestrial Orchids, and comes from
the watercourses on Table Mountain, South Africa.

EPIDENDRUM. — Five species and varieties only were repre-
sented. E. ibaguense had reedy stems and lilac trusses of
flower ; E. Parkinsonianum, with channelled, fleshy, glaucus
leaves, and large pure white flowers; E. rhizophorum, another
species of reed-like habit ; E. vitellinium, and its variety E.
vitellinum majus, having glaucus-leaved pseudo-bulbs and
branched spikes of pale orange-vermilion coloured blossoms.
All are South American or West Indian.

ERIA.— An Indian genus (allied to Dendrobium), of which
only one inconspicuous species, viz., E. excavata, was shown.
Flowers whitish, in lateral clusters, issuing from a depression in
the fleshy pseudo-bulbs.

GALEANDRA. — S. Devoniana alone was exhibited. It is a
plant of grassy or reed-like habit, from the Rio Negro, and was
named long ago by Lindley, in compliment to the late Duke of
Devonshire, a patron of the Eoyal Horticultural Society, and one
of the first of amateur Orchidists. The flowers are borne seven
or eight together in terminal nodding spikes, and are whitish,
veined with purple on the expanded involute lip.

GRAMMATOPHYLLUM. — The plants of this genus are known
popularly as the " Letter Orchids," and are from Malaysia and
Madagascar. The plant exhibited appeared to be an undescribed
species.

HOULLETIA. — A small genus from Colombia. The species
exhibited, H. odoratissima, bears numerous yellowish-purple
marked flowers of exquisite fragrance, whence the specific name.

IONOPSIS. — A small genus of Brazilian or West Indian
Orchids, extremely difficult of cultivation. One species grows in
Jamaica on the twigs of hedges and trees in full sunshine, and
the best success is obtained by bare-block culture in our hot-
houses. The kind shown was I. utricularioides.

CATTLEYA. — A well-known genus of extremely showy South
American plants. Twenty-seven varieties were shown, Mr. Lee's

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 79

plants, as also those shown by Mr. F. Sander, being in excellent
condition. The most interesting were varieties of C. Mendelli, C.
Mossise, and C. Wagneriana. C. Blunti was also very attractive,
and some plants of C. citrina were much admired. This last-
named species is quite anomalous hi the group, resembling
Epidendrum vitellinum in general appearance, but having the
peculiar habit of growing head downwards ; it also prefers a bare
board or block of wood to compost of any other land. Thirteen
varieties of C. Mendelli were shown by Mr. Sander and others,
some forms being gorgeously coloured on the lip ; C. gigas, C.
labiata pallida, C. nobilior, C. Percivaliana, C. Skinneri, C.
Trianae, C. Warneri, and others, were well-grown. The gems of
the whole group, however, were a couple of plants of C. Skinneri
alba, one from Kew, and the other, of which mention has already
been made, being from Mr. Sander's collection.

CHYSIS. — Two species were shown, viz., C. bractescens,
from Oaxaca, and C. Lemminghei, from Tobasco. The former
has large, sweet-scented, ivory-white blossoms, the latter has
smaller white flowers tipped with rosy purple blotches. Two
hybrid kinds were also shown. C. Chelsoni is the result of a
cross, effected between C. aurea x C. bracteata. Another
Veitchian hybrid, named C. Sedeni, was also represented.

CIRRHOPETALUM. — This genus now forms a distinct sub-section
of the Eastern Bulbophyllums, and are so exquisitely beautiful
when closely examined that one regrets the more their rarity in
our modern collections. C. fimbriatuni, the only species repre-
sented, came from the Eoyal Gardens, Kew, and bore three-
quarter whorls of purplish flowers on the apices of slender erect
peduncles or scapes.

CCELIA. — The only species of this genus shown was C.
triptera, native of Jamaica and Cuba. It has several synonymes,
such as C. Baueriana, C. glacialis, &c. It has erect spikes of
rosy- coloured flowers.

CCELOGYNE. — Of this well-known and highly popular Eastern
genus eight species and varieties were exhibited. The white-
flowered C. cristata, and its pale form, C. Lemoniaiia, were
especially attractive. C. elata, C. ocellata var. maxima, and
C. ochracea, were also represented by well-grown plants ; but
perhaps the most interesting were C. Parishii and C. pandurata, the

80 REPOET ON THE

latter having a green perianth and a curiously warted black lip
shaped like a fiddle, hence its specific name. It is common on
low jungle trees in the forests of Borneo, the other species shown
being of Indian origin.

COLAX. — C. Jugosus was represented by two examples, bearing
wax-like flowers of an ivory whiteness, the petals and the
trowel-shaped lip being richly barred and spotted with rich
velvety purple markings. Nearly allied to the Maxillarias, and
one of the most distinct and pleasing of its kind.

CYMBIDIUM. — The two species shown were C. Devonianum,
from the I£hasia Hills, and 0. giganteum var. Lowii, another
Indian species, and a great favourite with collectors, as it blooms
profusely, and its blossoms endure fresh for a period of ten or
twelve weeks after their buds expand. The colouring is peculiar
and attractive, the perianth being of a warm greenish-yellow, the
boat-shaped lip being white with the central portion painted
with cinnabar.

KEIFERSTEINIA. — A solitary species, K. graminea was shown
an Orchid of considerable botanical interest, but not showy.

L^LIA. — Twelve species and varieties were shown, the most
beautiful being the several varieties of L. elegans, and L.
Schilleriana. L. albida, whitish ; L. autumnalis, rose-purple ;
L. bella, a rare and valuable variety already alluded to elsewhere ;
L. cinnabarma, L. purpurea alba, L. labiata and L. elegans.
Walstenholmiae were all staged in good condition.

LEPTOTES. — L. bicolor was the only species represented. It
is a dwarf epiphytal kind, with terete channelled foliage, and bears
showy white-petalled flowers, the lip being stained with rose
colour or purple. This plant is now referred to the genus
Tetramicra, which see in accompanying list.

LUDDEMANNIA. — A curious genus supposed to have a marked
tendency towards a dwarfic habit. Its affinities are with
Acineta or Peristeria.

LYCASTE. — Three species only were shown, viz., L. gigantea,
a strong-growing kind having greenish blossoms, the fuscous lip
being fringed with longish hairs. L. plana and L. Skinnerii
were also represented.

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 81

MASDEVALLIA. — This popular South American genus now
numbers about one hundred species, of which nearly one-half,
viz., forty- eight species and varieties, were shown on this occasion.
The large and richly-coloured forms of M. Harryana were
perhaps the most showy ; there were also two fine forms of
M. Veitchii, viz., gigantea and grandiflora. M. Shuttle-
worthii was also very attractive, as also were the great spider-like
flowers of M. chimerae. Perhaps the rarest and most interesting
plant in this group was a tiny specimen of the new M. race-
mosa ( =M. Crossii), bearing erect spikes of vivid scarlet flowers.
These neat-habited plants divide the honours of what are known
as " Cool Orchids " with the genus Odontoglossum, and like
them often have especial greenhouses devoted to their culture.
Among the rarer kinds we noted M. amabilis, M. Armini,
M. Backhouseana, M. civilis, M. Gaireana, M. Houlteana,
M. psittacina, M. tridactylites, M. trichsete, M. trochilus,
M. Wagneriana, and M. xanthina, all hearty and well grown.

MAXILLARIA. — The most remarkable species in this group
was the new M. Sanderiana, elsewhere alluded to in this report.
M. luteo-alba, M. triangularis, M. Turneri, M. Harrisonii, and
M. triangularis were also represented in good condition.

MESOSPINIDIUM. — This genus, now more generally referred to
Odontoglossum, was represented by M. sanguineum only, a bright
rosy-flowered plant, not unlike the rare Odontoglossum roseuni
in general habit and colour of its flowers.

MEGACLINIUM. — A small genus of African Orchids, interesting
as being representative of the Eastern bulbophylls. The small
dark purple or brownish flowers are borne on a curious wavy-
margined leaf-like spike. The plant exhibited came from
Mr. K. Lindsay, Curator of the Royal Botanical Gardens,
Edinburgh.

ODONTOGLOSSUM. — Of all the cool growing or temperate Orchids,
those of this group are now the most in favour with amateur
cultivators, and without a doubt 0. Alexandras is to-day the
most popular of all Orchidaceous plants whatever, it being grown
literally by the million in this country. Among the sixty-six
species and varieties shown at the Conference, the following
seemed especially worthy of extended notice : Mr. J. T. Peacock
sent a well-grown specimen of 0. Wilckeanum, which may be

F

82 REPORT ON THE

best described as a pale-coloured form of 0. luteo purpureum,
having narrow yellow-fringed petals blotched with chocolate-
brown markings. A plant marked 0. hybrid (?) reminded one
of 0. Lindleyanum ( = 0. epidendroides) or of 0. Wallisii,
having a pale yellow starry perianth with blotches of a reddish-
brown colour. In Mr. Peacock's group I also noted 0. Hallii,
from the Lloa Valley ; 0. Hallii xanthoglossum, from Ecuador ;
and typical 0. luteo purpureum, from New Granada ; these,
together with the 0. Wilckeanum above mentioned, forming a
most interesting group, showing some of the most marked
variations of a single species under different geographical
conditions.

0. hebraicum, also from Mr. Peacock, reminds one of
0. naevium majus in habit of growth and inflorescence, but the
flowers are larger, of a more creamy-yellow hue, the sepals being
dotted with reddish-brown in a linear manner. It is quite
possible that this plant represents 0. naevium majus in the
upland districts of Columbia, where it is found growing wild.

0. Andersonianum is a well-known and one of the most
beautiful forms or varieties of what we now call 0. Alexandras
(Bateman), but which the late Prof. Lindley had previously named
0. crispum. It is rather singular that Lindley, in describing the
colour of the flower, says that it is yellow, so, that either he was
misled by the dried specimen which he had before him, or, as
might be quite possible, he really had a yellow-flowered variety.
When Weir and Blunt first found 0. Alexandras, and sent home
living plants, ah1 the varieties were white, and the yellow varieties,
or so-called hybrids, did not appear for some years after the first
introduction of this now popular species. 0. Andersonianum
may be taken as a typical yellow 0. crispum, some of its forms
being suffused with pink on pale cream-coloured grounds, the
sepals and petals being more or less spotted with reddish-brown
markings. It is a native of New Granada. 0. Euckerianum,
another typical form of 0. crispum, is similar to 0. Ander-
sonianum, but the sepals and petals are copiously suffused with
rosy-purple or lake colouring, their margins being whitish and
elegantly crimped ; but there can be no doubt but that these two
forms are united by intermediates. 0. Ruckerianum puncta-
tissimum differs from the typical form in having a profusion of
dots instead of well-marked spots or blotches.

Mr. Pollett's form of 0. Ruckerianum, a very beautiful one,

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 88

was remarkable, inasmuch as the spots assumed a bar-like
arrangement on the sepals. His 0. Andersonianum superb urn
again had buff-coloured sepals and petals, suffused with pink and
with dark red markings. 0. Alexandrae Bonnyana is a large,
broad-petalled variety, white, with pink-flushed sepals and petals,
the sepals only having one large cinnabar blotch situated at a
point about two-thirds of their length from the ovary.

0. polyxanthurn came from several exhibitors, and at first sight
looks like a paler, less heavily-blotched 0. triumphans. Some,
however, believe it to be of hybrid origin, and 0. triumphans
x 0. maculaturn or 0. nebulosum have been suggested as
possibly its parents. 0. triumphans is a native of Peru, how-
ever, while 0. nebulosum is from Mexico, as is also 0. maculatum,
so that I prefer here to consider 0. polyxanthurn as merely a
geographical form of 0. triumphans. The flowers really resemble
typical 0. triumphans in form and size, the bases of the peri-
anth divisions being clear yellow, petals dotted or lined, the
sepals only being heavily blotched with dark red brown ; the
cordate lip is crimson-brown, margined with creamy yellow.
This description is from Mr. Duke's specimen.

0. sceptrum reminds one of a short-perianthed form of 0.
luteo purpuremn, having flowers only about half the size, colour
yellow, blotched with brown, a native of Colombia. Mr. Lee
showed a pale-flowered variety. Mr. Duke had a pale form of
0. crispum, resembling 0. hebraicum, but the flowers were less
copiously spotted than is usually the case in that variety. Mr.
Sniee had a fine pink flowered 0. Alexandra, of which the petals
were profusely dotted in the centre, the sepals less so, the
lip being pure white with a golden crest, its lower or apical por-
tion being blotched with chocolate. 0. Alexandrae var. guttatum
seems intermediate between 0. Andersoniaum and 0. hebraicum.
Messrs. Sander, of St. Alban's, had a fine series of 0. crispum
(yellow grounds) and 0. Alexandrae (white grounds), among
which were many of the reputed hybrid forms. Both the yellow
and the white forms varied much in breadth of perianth segments,
and in depth, size, and variety of marking. In one variety the
yellow colouring matter is emphasised, or focussed, as it were, in
a rich golden lip-crest, while in another the red colouring comes
out either as blushing perianth segments, or in the form of red
spots or blotches. Looking at this bank of imported plants, it
was at once apparent that the sooner we cease naming them in

F 2

84 KEPORT ON THE

Latin the better. No two forms were alike, and those exhibited
proved very conclusively that there is a sliding scale of varieties
between even the most distinct and remarkable of the named kinds.
It is convenient in gardens to have some ready means of
distinguishing these beautiful forms, but it is quite clear that the
varieties of Odontoglossum crispum are not more deserving of
Latin varietal names than are the numerous wild forms of
Anemone coronaria or Hanunculus a-siaticus. Mr. Lee had some
fine broad-petalled forms of 0. Alexandras, and a good plant of
0. crispum Jenningsianum, which reminds one of 0. Ruckerianum.
This plant was also represented in the Sanderian collection. 0.
Alexandra var. Chestertonii, also from Mr. Lee, had white sepals
and petals, the latter with heavy chocolate spots, the sepals being
barred with the same colour. Mr. Brymer had a very showy
variety of 0. Alexandras, with its sepals and petals suffused with
rosy-lake, the column heavily blotched with dark chocolate
brown.

Perhaps, however, the gem of all the 0. Alexandras group is
0. Cooksoni, which has white crisp-edged sepals and petals of
medium breadth, each ornamented with two or three bold
blood-red blotches. The markings on the sepals are bar-like.
This variety has been illustrated in the " Orchid Album," and is
to 0. Alexandras what 0. Veitchianum is to 0. Pescatorei, than
which no higher praise can to-day be given.

In addition to those named above, the following species and
varieties were shown : 0. coronarium miniatum, 0. citrosmum
and its variety album, 0. Uro-Skinneri, 0. Pescatorei, 0.
Phalaenopsis, 0. coradinei, 0. odoratum, 0. hystrix, 0.
bictoniense, 0. maculatum, 0. cristatum, and others.

ONCIDIUM. — 0. Marshallianum and 0. macranthum were the
most handsome of the kinds shown, but 0. papilio ( = the " Butter-
fly Oncid" of Demerara) attracted much attention, as, also,
did the great panicled inflorescence of 0. altissimum, 0.
sarcodes, 0. sphacelatum, and the blotched and diadem-like
0. serratum ( = 0. diadema). 0. juncifolium is remarkable as
belonging to the terete or onion-leaved section, which small
group also comprehends the new 0. Jonesianum, one of the most
distinct and showy of new additions to this genus.

PANISEA. — Only one species, P. (Coelogyne) uniflora, was
i&own, It is botamcally interesting, but not showy,

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 85

PESCATOREI. — A small genus of leafy evergreen orchids,
nearly related, indeed now generally referred, to Zygopetalum.
P. Lehmanni, the only species represented, has showy, purplish
flowers, with a curiously ridged disc on the lip.

PHAIUS. — Three species were shown, viz., P. maculatus,
P. grandifohus var. WaUichii, and P. albus, the last-named being
a deciduous-leaved plant, with elongated rod-like pseudo-bulbs,
and now more generally called " Thunia alba " in gardens. All
are well-known garden plants.

PHAL^INOPSIS. — These " Moth Orchids," as they are popularly
called, comprise the very elite of the epiphytal Orchids, so far as
beauty and graceful habit are concerned. Unfortunately, they
are not easy to grow successfully many years together. Only
four kinds were shown, viz., P. Parishii, a splendidly-grown plant
from the Kew collection ; P. Luddeniannia, P. tetraspis, a rare
novelty, with milk-white flowers ; and, above all, the lovely rose-
tinged variety of P. amabilis (the queen of Orchids), known as
Sanderiana, a lovely plant from a little visited island of the
Philippine Archipelago.

POLYSTACHYA. — A small genus of Orchids from the West
Indian Islands, P. pubescens having erect spikes of yellowish
flowers, the sepals being lined or streaked with purple. Kew.

POXTHIEVA. — Terrestrial South American herbs near Neottia.
P. maculata, the species represented, has spotted leaves.

KENANTHERA. — A showy genus of Eastern epiphytes, near
Vanda. E. coccinea, the species exhibited (not in bloom),
comes from China, and bears large panicles of Indian red,
yellow-barred flowers ; a remarkable plant, well grown at Chats-
worth and elsewhere.

KESTREPIA. — A most interesting little group of plants. E.
antennifera, the plant shown, having yellow flowers dotted with
purple and long antennae -like petals.

SACCOLABIUM. — Only two species of this showy genus were
represented, viz., S. retusuni and S. ampullaceurn, neither
remarkable as showing good culture.

86 &EPORT ON THE

SCUTICAKIA. — Curious plants, having singular thong-like
leaves depending from the branch or block on which they grow.
S. Hadwinii, named in compliment to one of the earliest of
amateur Orchid growers at Liverpool, has yellow flowers barred
with cinnabar, and is very showy.

STELIS. — Singular little plants with small and inconspicuous
flowers. Nearly related to Pleurothalls and Masdevalls. S.
muscifera has brownish-purple hairy or ciliated blossoms re-
sembling small flies, hence its specific name.

LEPTOTES. — See TETEAMIORA.
THUNIA. — See PHAIUS.

TRICHOPILIA. — A showy genus of South American rock plants
or epiphytes. T. coccinea was the only species shown. Flowers,
dark reddish -crimson, with an open convolute Gloxinia-like lip.

UROPEDIUM. — This genus, founded by Lindley, from a
specimen discovered by M. Linden, is now generally supposed
to be a pelariad form of Cypripedium caudatum, from which
plant it differs only in having three anthers developed instead of
two, and the lip, instead of being saccate or slipper like, is petaloid
or strap shaped, attaining the same length as the long lace-like
petals. Two well-grown specimens were exhibited in flower.

VANDA. — A well-known showy genus of Eastern epiphytes,
which are great favourites in Orchid houses from their graceful
and evergreen habit of growth. The sky-blue T. ccerulescens,
and the white V. Denisoniana, were very lovely, as also were
V. teres, and several well-bloomed plants of V. suavis, including
Veitch's, Paterson's, and two or three other forms.

WARSCEWICZELLA. — A small genus, related to Huntleyas,
Bolleas, Pescatoreas, and Zygopetalums. W. Wailesiana, with
purplish flowers, was the only kind shown.

ZYGOPETALUM. — A well-known Western genus of winter and
spring-blooming Orchids, of which Z. Mackayi is the type, and
Z. maxillare one of the best. The only plant now shown was
the hybrid, Z. Sedeni, raised by the Messrs. Veitch, and alluded
to elsewhere.

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 87

FIRST-CLASS CERTIFICATES WERE AWARDED BY THE FLORAL COMMITTEE
TO THE FOLLOWING I

To Sir TREVOR LAWRENCE, Bart, M.P., for

No. 1. Luddemannia Lehmanni. — This is a most remarkable plant,
and is alluded to in Herr Keichenback's communication.
It is variable in its inflorescence, and allied to the
Acinetas, the plant at the Conference bearing a
couple of drooping spikes or racemes, the most pro-
minent colour being of a rich old gold or orange hue.
The bulbs are ovoid, slightly channelled ; the leaves a foot
long by about three niches in breadth. It is a plant
extremely rare in collections.

To WM. LEE, Esq., Downside, Leatherhead, for

No. 2. Cypripedium Godefroya. — A remarkable dwarf-growing
Lady's Slipper, recently introduced from Cochin China
by M. Godefroy, of Augentieul, near Paris. In habit
and in its marbled leafage it closely resembles
C. niveum, but the flowers are more heavily dotted and
blotched with purple on a white ground. The plant
has been well figured in the Garden and also in the
" Orchid Album," and is one of the most remarkable
and showy of all the new kinds.

To Mr. BALLANTINE, Gardener to Baron Schroder, The Dell,
Egham, for

No. 3. Odontoglosswn Alexandra Veitchii. — A strong-growing
broad-petalled variety, of really first-class merit. The
sepals and petals are snow-white, spotted distinctly with
cinnabar brown, the lip being white with a rich yellow
crest. It was certificated under the name of 0. crispum
Veitchii, but to avoid confusion, I have throughout this
report used Lindley's name only for the varieties having
a yellow ground colouring, and have in like manner
reserved the name 0. Alexandras for such as have white
grounds. If this plan were generally followed, both

88 REPORT ON THE

names would be employed rightly, so far as priority is
concerned, and each name would possess a really
distinctive meaning.

No. 4. 0. Alexandra Sanderianum. — A variety much admired by
connoisseurs, and of great beauty. The sepals and
petals are pure white, broad, and overlapping the rich
cinnabar or reddish blotches covering the centres of
the perianth segments and leaving only a narrow border
of startling whiteness.

,, 5. 0. excellent. — A very beautiful variety, possibly of hybrid
origin. The sepals and petals are broad and firm, being
of a creamy- white, or yellowish colour, spotted vividly
with chestnut red.

,, 6. Maxillaria Sanderiana. — This was one of the most distinct
of all the new species of Orchids shown. It resembles
M. grandiflora somewhat, but is dwarfer, and more
compact. The flowers are of ivory-like whiteness, bold
and massive, and are marked with very dark maroon or
crimson-bronze towards the bases of the sepals and
petals.

To Mr. B. S. WILLIAMS, Upper Holloway, for

No. 7. Masdevallia Harry ana lateriiia. — A robust and free-
growing variety of the well-known type, having flowers
nearly half as large again, of exquisite form, and of the
most pleasing shade of violet or amethyst-crimson. As
seen in contrast with several other foms, it stood out as
a great advance in form and vivid colouring.

To Messrs. FEED. SANDER AND Co., St. Albans, for

No. 8. Cattleya Wagneriana. — A robust plant of compact growth,
with thick leathery leaves, and massive flowers. The
sepals and petals are wax-like, and of great substance,
being of glistening whiteness, except the throat of the
involute lip, which is of a soft golden -yellow colour. It
is quite an addition to a beautiful genus.

,, 9. C. maxima Peruviana. — A noble variety of a rare and
beautiful species, which until quite recently has been a

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 89

rarity in our collections. It is larger than the type, the
sepals and petals being of good substance and fine form,
the veined lip being of a rich arnethyst-purple colour mar-
gined with rose, and this is emphasised by a narrow
golden band running down the disc of the lip.

No. 10. C. Suavissima Schroderiana. — A vigorous-habited variety
of the type, having pure white sepals and petals, the lip
being enriched with purple markings in a very pleasing
way. ft amed in honour of one of the most distinguished
amateurs, an honour it richly deserves.

,,11. C. Bluntii. — A distinct and handsome plant, named in
compliment to a well-known collector of Orchids abroad.
Although similar in some respects to C. Wagneriana, it
is distinct enough on its own merits to deserve the
award it obtained. It has larger expanded flowers, the
sepcls and petals being pure white, and the lip suffused
with rose colour, having a rich gold blotch on the
disc.

,, 12. 0. crispum Rtickerianium punctatissimum. — A strong-
habited variety having the creamy yellow flowers of the
type, which are, however, as the name implies, more
minutely dotted with cinnabar red markings.

CULTURE.

From a gardening point of view, " good cultivation " is a
most important factor in a floral display of any kind. It is what
the gardener travels about to see, and until quite recently it was
to see his own big successes in this direction that the public
paid for admission to our flower shows and gardens. After all
it is a pleasant surprise that we cannot claim any superlative
examples of the " elephantine " type for our Orchid Conference.
For example, there was nothing like the six or seven fine speci-
mens of Odontoylosswn i-exillanum, which were shown at the Paris
Exhibition 011 May 20th, one of which bore two hundred flowers,
and the whole group, as arranged in a large perforated iron
vase, bore about five hundred blossoms ; and a " made-up" plant of
Vanda teres (also from the Kothschild gardens at Ferrieres, over
which M. Bergrnann presides), bearing at least three or four
hundred expanded flowers. Although we had no " made-up "

90 REPORT ON THE

specimens of this calibre at our Orchid Show, Mr. James
Douglas, of the gardens at Great Gearies, has more recently
exhibited before the Koyal Horticultural Society a beautiful
bond fide plant of Odontoylossum vexillarium, bearing two hundred
flowers. But, on the other hand, we may point out that the
general level of cultivation, as shown by the whole mass of
Orchids at the Conference, was very high, and we selected the
following for especial notice. But as a general list of amateur
and trade exhibitors, with lists of the species shown by them,
will be appended to this report, it is unnecessary that I should
do more here than refer to their general excellence. The
President of the Society, Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., Baron
Schroder, Mr. Lee, The Duke of Devonshire, Mr. Peacock, Mr.
Pollett, Mr. Southgate, Mr. W. Brymer, and Mr. Neville Wyatt,
amongst other distinguished amateurs, had very remarkable
collections of plants. Taking the exhibits generally, the genera
best represented were Odontoglossum, Cypripedium, Dendrobium,
Masdevallia, and the Cattleyas and Laelias.

From the Kew collection there was a well- flowered plant of
Epidendrum, bicornutum, a plant by no means easy to grow, and
with it a remarkable specimen of the dwarf Phalanopsis Parishii,
covered with its dainty white and purple flowers, also a well-bloomed
Cattleya Skinnerii alba. Mr. De B. Crawshay exhibited a remark-
ably strong piece of Cattleya gigas, imported in September, 1884
bearing five flowers on its last made growth. From Chatsworth
came a plant of the Chinese climbing Orchid Eenanthera coccinea,
about nine feet in height. As shown this splendid plant was
not in bloom, but it is well known as being one of the very few
plants of this species which — as its old flower spikes testified —
has flowered regularly for the past ten or more years. At Chats-
worth it is grown in the large conservatory on the trunk of a
small birch tree, to the shining bark of which its thong-like
roots firmly adhere. Messrs. Sander and Co. exhibited a remark-
ably fine plant of Cattleya Skinnerii alba, and this plant was sold
by them at the Conference for two hundred arid fifty guineas, a
like sum having been realized by Messrs. Veitch for Lcelia bella
about the same time. It should be borne in mind, however,
that these high prices represent to a great extent rarity rather
than good culture alone. Some strong plants of Odontoylossum
Alexandra, well bloomed and representing fine variations, came
from Mr. A. H. Smee's garden, at the Grange, Wallington,

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 91

Surrey, and these identical plants were interesting as having
been grown out of doors in a sheltered nook over a running
stream for four months (i.e., June to October) during 1884.
The vexed questions with regard to the "pruning" and " manur-
ing" of Orchids were not touched upon hi a very decided
manner, although a good pruned specimen, Dendrobium nobile,
was exhibited ; and at a previous meeting, on April 21st, of the
Society, Mr. Priiisep showed a splendid example of Dendrobium
ncbile, which had been pruned by him. It had forty-eight
growths all more or less leafy, and bore six hundred and thirty
expanded flowers.

As to manures and their application, the consensus of opinion
went to show that when used in solution and sprinkled sparingly
on the floors and stages, the plants were generally benefited by
their application, but that the direct application of solid or liquid
manures to the compost in which epiphytal Orchids are grown
is a dangerous proceeding, liable to cause serious injury.

ARRANGEMENT.

The six or seven hundred plants exhibited were arranged on
tables down the centre of the great Conservatory, thus giving a
vivid mass of colour amid the greenery afforded by the ordinary
occupants, such as palms, ferns, dracsenas, &c., of the place.
Cut flowers of Orchids were not so abundant as one might have
expected, seeing that many amateurs might thus have added to
the interest of the exhibition without in any way risking the
health of their plants. If another display of the kind is held, it
is to be hoped that this point will be brought before growers
who may reside at a distance, since the expenses of forwarding
cut blooms is a mere trifle as compared with the carriage of
the plants themselves.

As we have said, there were no " specimens" of the
" elephantine " or flower - show type present, and this in
itself, as we have already observed, was a subject for con-
gratulation rather than for regret. It is to be sincerely hoped
that the day of " made-up" specimen Orchids is over, and that
in future we shall see bond fide single plants as grown only at
our exhibitions. The bad habit of taking half-a-dozen small
plants (more or less as the case may be) of Cattleya or Dendro-
bium, and " bedding them out " in a big tub of moss and then
exhibiting what is really a group of plants as a " specimen," is

92 REPORT ON THE

a fraud so patent that the wonder is that custom has tolerated
the practice so long. Fortunately, there was none of this kind of
ingenuity at the Conference, and if, henceforth, the Koyal
Horticultural Society veto the thing and offer prizes for bond fide
single plants, it will lead to a better state of things. After all,
even in the case of bond fide specimen plants, mere size is not
essential to true beauty ; and instead of encouraging size only,
we might do much better by offering prizes for the best and most
artistic groups of Orchids arranged in banks of fresh green ferns,
or other suitable foliage plants.

PAPERS KEAD AT THE CONFERENCE.

Professor H. G. Eeichenbach, of Hamburgh, contributed a
short but extremely interesting botanical paper, the first portion
of which referred to the now interesting question of " Proliferous
Orchid Boots." The second portion referred to the slowly
increasing advent of " Three-lipped Orchids." and the third part
to an erratic Peristeria, Acineta, or Luddemannia, with poly-
morphic and possibly bi-sexual flowers. Mr. Harry Veitch's
paper on the " Hybridization of Orchids," and the President's
felicitous speech, were the masterpieces of the whole proceedings,
and the value of Mr. Veitch's paper was much enhanced by the
clear illustrations and actual specimens by which it was
accompanied. As this and other communications read will
appear in type with this report, it is perhaps unnecessary that I
should say more respecting them except to point out to practical
gardeners, and more especially to the younger members of the
craft, what a wide and open field there is around them for
original observation, experiment, and research. Mr. O'Brien's
paper on " The Cultivation of Orchids " also contains much
valuable information. Perhaps his condemnation of the use of
the syringe amongst Orchids was a little too sweeping, and the
mention of particular firms or manufactories is always a
questionable policy in papers of this description. The discussion
which followed Mr. O'Brien's paper was mainly devoted to the
praises of a new manure of no especial interest to us in this
report. One little fact brought out, however, was the desirability
of resting Orchids, especially when small or weakly, by removing
their flower spikes either before or immediately after their
flower-buds expand.

ORCHID CONFERENCE . 93

It is somewhat to be regretted that a paper dealing with the
naming of Orchids was not read at the Conference, especially as
all interested in the matter, whether botanists, amateurs or
gardeners, are agreed that it is a subject demanding urgent
attention. It is to be hoped, however, that another opportunity
may arise at which some definite and practicable scheme for the
naming of all garden varieties of Orchids and other plants may
be proposed and adopted under the auspices of the Koyal
Horticultural Society. The one great step in advance made at
the Narcissus Congress was the resolution to use Latin names
for wild plants only, and to adopt popular English names for
mere garden forms. Many of the Cattleyas and Odontoglossums,
for example, are really not more distinct from each other than are
seedling Narcissi, Primroses or Chrysanthemums, and to give mere
garden hybrids and slightly different native or wild seedlings long
Latin names only increases a confusion which is becoming
unbearable. Seeing that some definite understanding must
sooner or later be arrived at on this question, it seems almost a
pity that this question of names was not the first subject brought
before the Conference. At the last moment the subject was
postponed in the hope that Professor Keichenbach, together with
other botanists, might be induced at some future date to attend
and settle the matter. The Editor of the Gardeners' Chronicle
puts the whole matter " into a nutshell " as follows: " The
subject of nomenclature was not only crowded out from a full
programme, but it was wisely eliminated till such time as the
great authority of Professor Eeichenbach could be effectively
brought to bear upon it."

It is one of the curious anomalies of our time that with all
the facilities afforded by English gardens, and our two national
herbaria combined, new or critical species of Orchids cannot be
named in this country.

GENERAL EESULTS.

If it be true that " the proof of a pudding is in the eating
thereof," it will readily be granted that the good of a Conference
consists of the results gained. In the present case we had
decidedly the finest and best representative collection of Orchids
brought together that has ever been seen in one place, or in other
words a flower show quite unique of its kind. Visitors were

94 REPOET ON THE

enabled to see species and varieties of extreme rarity, beauty and
value under the most convenient of conditions. The exhibition
of materials and appliances for the culture of Orchids was also
most instructive. All three of the papers read at the Conference,
together with the opening speech of Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart.,
form a most valuable contribution to horticultural literature, and
to select only one example, viz., Mr. Veitch's paper on " Hybri-
dization," it is without doubt the most interesting paper read
before the Society during modern times. As to the discussions
which as a rule follow the reading of papers, one need in this case
say nothing, and as to the question of nomenclature nothing was
attempted. It would not be fair to conclude a report of this kind
without alluding to the generous manner in which the whole of
the horticultural and daily press assisted the Conference by
reporting and illustrating the proceedings in the most complete
manner.

F. W. BURBIDGE, F.L.S.
DUBLIN,

July 6th, 1885.

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF THE GENEEA OF
ORCHIDS.

The following list has been compiled and re- arranged from
Hooker and Bentham's " Genera Plantarum," vol. iii. pp. 460 —
636, and may be interesting to the numerous amateurs who culti-
vate Orchids. All the genera of Orchids recognised by the late Mr.
Beriihatn are included, but only a proportion of the total
number (334) is generally met with in cultivation ; these are
distinguished by being printed in black type. A few notes on
culture and other matters of popular interest have been added,
each genus being numbered consecutively from 1 to 334.

In tlie " Genera Plantarum " above cited will be found all the
literary references necessary for the botanical student, together
with many citations of plates and figures, which, from con-
siderations of space, we are compelled to omit. The indications
that are here supplied must therefore be considered as illustrative
fcu't not exhaustive. On the other hand, we have inserted refe-

ORCHID CONFERENCE.

95

rences to the plates in the "Orchid Album," and to the full enume-
ration of cultivated species of a large number of the genera, as
drawn up by Mr. Hemsley, iil our columns, and also to most of
the figures given in the Gardeners Chronicle, but not cited in the
" Genera." The * indicates that a figure will be found in the
volumes of the Gardeners' Chronicle. F. W. BURBIDGE.

1. ABOLA, Lindley.

A small-flowered epiphyte, of no beauty, from the Colom-
bian Andes.

2. ACACAT.T.IS, Lindley.

One species, from Northern Brazil.

3. Acampe, Lindley.

Eight or nine species, from India, China, South Africa,
&c. This genus approaches Sarcanthus. Species
not showy.

4. Acanthephippmm, Blume.

Three or four species, from India and the Malayan Archi-
pelago. Flowers fleshy, on erect spikes, not very
showy. See Bot. Reg., t. 1730, and 1846, t. 47 ;
Bot. Mag., t. 4492. For list of species, see Gard.
Chron., 1882, xviii., p. 565.

5. Aceras, E. Brown.

One species, in Europe and North Africa. Ilchb., Icon.
Fl. Gerrnanica, t. 357 ; Barla. Icon. Orch. Alp.
Marit., t. 23.

6. ACIANTHUS, R. Brown.

Seven species, from Australia, New Zealand, and New
Caledonia. See Rchb. f., Xen. Orch., t. 187.

7. Acineta, Lindley.

Eight species, from Colombia, Central America, and
Mexico. Flowers resembling those of Peristeria,
being fleshy, white, or yellow, and heavily spotted
or dotted. Inflorescence pendulous, as in Stdnhopea,
— like which, the plants should be grown in baskets.
See Bateman's Orch., Mexico and Guatemala, t. 8 ;
Bot. Mag., t. 4156, 4203 ; Bot. Reg.* 1843, t. 78 ;
Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 235.

8. ACRIOPSIS, Reinwardt.

Three or four species, from Burmah a Malaysia. Not
showy.

96 REPORT ON THE

9. Achrocsene, Lindley.

One species, from the Sikkim Himalayas. See Gard.
Chron., 1882, xviii., 428.

10. Ada, Lindley.

One species only known, from the Colombian Andes. It
was first called Brassia cinnabarina by Lindley.
Showy spikes of vermilion-tinted flowers. See Bot.
Mag., t. 5435 ; Orchid Album, t. 53.

11. ADENOCHILUS, Hooker.

Two species only, from New Zealand and Australia.

12. Aeranthus, Lindley.

Two species, both from Madagascar. See Gard. Chron.,
1879, xi., 235.

13. Aerides, Loureiro.

Ten to fifteen species are found in India, Malayan
Archipelago, Philippine Islands, China, and Japan.
Nearly all the species are showy and fragrant, and
some are variable. See Orchid Album, t. 21, 116,
160; Bot. Mag., t. 4049, 4139, 4427, 4982, 5728,
5798. The following species are figured in the Gard.
Chron. : —

*A. crassifolium, 1877, viii., 493.

*A. cylindricum, 1875, iii., 537.

*A. odoratum, 1845, 436.

*A. odoratum purpurascens, 1881, xvi., 597.

*A. quinquevulnera, 1845, 100.

*A. Schro3deri, 1880, xiii., 493; 1882, xvii., 341.

14. AGANISIA, Lindley.

Six species, from Tropical America. See Bot. Beg., 1840,
t. 32.

15. Agrostophyllum, Blume.

Five or six species, from India and the Malayan Archi-
pelago. For list of species see Gard. Chron.. 1882,
xviii., 812.

16. Alamania, Llave and Lexarza.

One species, from Mexico. See Gard. Chron., 1883,
six,, 764 ; 1879, xi., 235.

OBCHID CONFERENCE. 97

17. ALTENSTEINIA, Humboldt, Bonpland, and Kiinth.

Twelve species are known, from the Andes of Tropical
America.

18. Amblostoma, Scheidweiler.

Three species, from Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia. For list
of species see Gard. Chron., 1883, xix., 660.

19. Angrsecum, Thouars.

Twenty-five species are known, from Tropical and South-
east Africa, Madagascar, Bourbon, and Mauritius.
A. sesquipedale is the largest flowered of all Orchids,
and also possesses the longest spur or nectary.
A.funale is a rare leafless epiphyte, and the leaves of
A. fragrans have been used as a kind of tea.
A.falcatum is the most northern species, being found
hi Japan. See Orchid Album, t. 41, 162, 179 ;
Bot Mag., t. 2097, 4159, 4295, 4370, 4761, 4782,
5113, 5170, 5589, 5624. The following species are
figured in Gard. Chron. : —

*A. eburneum superbum, 1873, 217.

*A. Ellisii, 1875, iii., 277.

*A. fastuosum, 1885, xxiii., 533.

*A. funale, 1846, 135.

*A. Kotschyi, 1880, xiv., 693.

*A. Scottianum, 1880, xiv., 137 ; 1882, xvii., 342.

*A. sesquipedale, 1857, 253 ; 1873, 255 ; plant, 1874,
346.

20. Anguloa, Euiz and Pavon.

Three species and several varieties are known, from
Colombia and Peru. They are strong-growing plants,
with the habit of Lycaste, and having great waxy
flowers like Tulips, solitary, on scapes springing from
the base of the pseudo-bulbs. See Bot. Mag., t, 4313,
4807, and 5384 ; Orchid Album, t. 19, 133.

21. Ansectochilus, Blume.

From ten to twenty species and varieties are in cultivation,
and are mainly remarkable for the beauty of their
foliage, which is velvet-like in texture, lined or
suffused with golden, silvery, or bronzy lines.
Borneo, Ceylon, India. See Bot/ Mag., t. 4123,
5208; Bot. Reg., t. 2010.

98 REPORT ON THE

22. Ansellia, Lindley.

One species, originally found on the stem of a Date Palm
at Fernando Po, but two or three remarkable
varieties have since been introduced. Tropical and
South Africa. See Bot. Mag., t. 4965 ; Bot. Reg.,
1844, t. 12 ; 1846, t. 30.

23. Anthogoniiim, Lindley.

Only one species known, from the Himalayas and
Burmah. See Gard. Chron., 1882, xviii., 812.

24. APHYLLORCHIS, Blume.

Four or five species, native of India and the Malayan
Archipelago.

25. Aplectrum, Nuttall.

One species, known in North America as the " Putty Root,"
and a near relative of the Corallorhizas.

26. APOSTASIA, Blume.

Four species, native of India, Malayan Archipelago, and
Australia. Not showj&, but of special interest to
botanists.

27. APPENDICULA, Blume.

Species twenty, from Malacca, Malayan Archipelago, and
Pacific islands. Not showy.

28. Arachnanthe, Blume.

Six species, from Malaysia and the Himalayas. Vanda
Lowii and V. Caithcartii have been included in this
genus, which approaches Renanthera and Vanda.
See Bot. Mag., 5475, 5845.

29. Arethusa, Linnaeus.

One species, found in North America and in Japan. See
Bot. Mag., t. 2204 ; Bot. Reg., 1072.

30. ARGYNOCHIS, Blume.

One species, from Java.

81. ARNOTTIA, A. Richard.

Two species only known, from Mauritius.

32. Arpophyllum, Llave and Lexarza.

About six species, from Mexico, Central America, and
Jamaica. When well grown they are distinct and

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 99

showy, fine examples having formerly been exhibited.
For list of species see Gard. Chron., 1881, xvi., 428 ;
1879, xi., 235.

33. Arundina, Blume.

Five to ten species, from India, Malayan Archipelago,
and South China. Of reed-like habit, with showy
flowers, the Arundinas represent the Sobralias of the
Western Hemisphere. See Orchid Album, t. 139.
For list of species see Gard. Chron., 1880, xiv., 636.

34. Aspasia, Lindley.

Five or six species, from Brazil and Central America.

See Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 235 ; Bot. Mag.,

t. 3769, 3962 ; Bot. Reg., t. 1907.
BABKERIA (see Epidendrurn), Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 235 ;

Orchid Album, t. 148.
*B. elegans (cyclotella), Gard. Chron., 1872, xiii., 80, 235.

See Bot. Mag., t. 3818.

35. BARTHOLINA, E. Brown.

One species, from South Africa.

36. BASKERVILLEA, Lindley.

One species, wild in Peru.

37. Batemannia, Lindley.

One species, from Guiana. See Gard. Chron., 1879, xi.,

235, Bot. Mag., t. 3818.
*B. meleagris, Gard. Chron., 1881, xvi., 209.

38. BICORNELLA, Lindley.

Two species, from Madagascar.

39. Bifrenaria, Lindley.

About ten species, from Guiana and Colombia. See Bot.
Mag., t. 2789, 2927, 3597, 3629; Bot. Beg., t. 879,
1566, 1875; 1839, t. 12.

40. BIPINNULA, Jussieu.

Three or four species, from .South America, outside the
tropical limits. Not showy.

41. Bletia, Euiz and Pavon.

About twenty species, from Tropical America, China and
Japan. B. hyacmtkma, B. Skarrattuamt, and one or
G 2

100 REPORT ON THE

two others are showy. See Bot. Mag., t. 3736 ; Bot.

Reg., 1847, t. 60. For list of species, see Gard.

Chron., 1882, xviii., 681 ; see also Gard. Chron.,

1879, xi., 236.
BOLLEA (Zygopetalum).
*B. Patinii, Gard. Chron., 1875, iii., 9.
BOLBOPHYLLARIA (see Bulbophyllum), Gard. Chron., 1879,

xi., 236.

42. Bonatea, Willdenow.

Two or three species are known, from South Africa. See
Bot. Mag., t. 2926.

43. Brachionidium, Lindley.

Three species from Colombia and Bolivia. Epiphytes,
nearly related to Masdevalls and Pleurothalls. See
Gard. Chron., 1881, xvi., 172.

44. BRACHTIA, Reichenbach f.

Three species, from Colombia.

45. BRACHYCORYTHIS, Lindley.

Four or five species, from South and Tropical Africa.

46. Brassavola, R. Brown.

About twenty species, from Tropical America and Mexico.
Epiphytes, with terete foliage, except B. glauca and
B. Digbyana. Flowers white and showy. See Gard.
Chron., 1879, xi., 236; Bot. Mag., t, 543, 2878,
3229, 3722, 3761, 3782, 4021, 4734 ; and Bot. Reg.,
t. 1465, 1561, 1914 ; 1839, t. 5 ; 1840, t. 39.
*B. stricta, fruit of, Gard. Chron., 1885, xxiii, 85, 505.

47. Brassia, R. Brown.

About twenty species are known, from Tropical America,
Brazil, and Mexico. Flowers greenish, spotted with
brown, in spikes like Odontoglossum. See Orchid
Album, t. 152; Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 236; Bot.
Mag., 1691, 3451, 3577, 3794, 4003, 5748; Bot.
Reg., t. 832, 1754 ; 1841, t. 18; 1847, t. 29.

48. Bromheadia, Lindley.

Two species, native of Malacca and the Malayan Archi-
pelago, forming reed-like growth in wet jungle.
Showy, but not easy to grow. See Bot. Mag., t.
4001,

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 101

49. Broughtonia, K. Brown.

Three or four species, from Jamaica and the West Indian
Islands. Sun-loving epiphytes, growing best on bare
blocks. See Bot. Mag. t. 3076, 3536; Loddiges,
Bot. Cab., t. 793.

50. BROWNLEEA, Harvey.

Three or four species, from South Africa, related to Disa.

51. Bulbophllyrun, Thouars,

Eighty or a hundred species are known, from India,
Malayan Archipelago, Tropical Africa, Australia,
New Zealand, and South America. Very few are
showy, but all are interesting. In the Eastern
Tropics these plants take the place of the Western
Masdevallias. Some Sarcopodia and other genera
are now placed under Bulbophyllum. For list of
species see Gard. Chron., 1882, xviii., 52, 104, 172.
See Bot. Mag., t. 4532, 5408 (Sarcopodium), 3605,
4088, 4166, 4267, 5050, 5288, 5309, 5316, 5329,
6119, &c.

Buiiingtonia ; see Eodriguezia, Orchid Album, t. 18.

52. BURNETTIA, Lindley.

One species, from Tasmania, resembling Caladenia, but
of different habit. Not showy.

53. CALADENIA, K. Brown.

Thirty or forty, in Australia and New Zealand. Not
showy.

54. Calanthe, R. Brown.

About forty species, widely distributed. Japan, Pacific
Islands, New Caledonia, Madagascar, Tropical and
South Eastern Africa, Central America, Mexico, and
West Indies. Limatodes rosea is now placed in this
genus. » See Orchid Album, t. 31, 134. For list of
species see Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 267; 1883, xix.,
636 ; Bot. Mag., t. 2615, 4541, 4671, 5042, 5375,
6104 (Styloglossum), 4704, 5312.

55. GALE AN A, E. Brown.

Three species, from South Australia.

56. Calostylis, Blume.

One species only, from Java. See Gard. Chron., 1882,
xviii., 812.

102 REPORT ON THE

57. CAL.OCHILUS, K. Brown.

Three species known, in Eastern Australia. See Fitz-
gerald's Aust. Orchids, and Bot. Mag., t. 3187.

58. Calopogon, K. Brown.

Four or five species, from North America. See Bot. Mag.,
t. 116 ; Sweet, Brit. Fl. Gard., t. 115.

59. Calypso, Salisbury.

One species, broadly distributed in North Europe, Asia,

and in North America.
*C. borealis, 1881, xvi., 656.

60. Camaridmni, Lindley.

About twelve species, in Colombia, Guiana, and elsewhere
in Tropical America. See Gard. Chron. 1879, xi.,
p. 267.

61. CAMPYLOCENTRON, Bentham.

Fifteen species, from Brazil and West Indian Islands.

62. Catasetum, L. C. Eichard.

Forty to fifty species, including Myanthus and Mona-
chanthus, principally Brazilian and Mexican. The
group is curious, as showing an approach to a
dioscious development. Although not bright in
colour these plants were formerly much grown. See
Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 267 ; Bot. Mag., t. 2559,
3262, 3329, 3514, 3590, 3802, 3823, 3923, 3929,
3937, 3942, 4017, 4792, 5202, 5399 ; Orchid Album,
t. 83.
*C. incurvum, Gard. Chron., 1855, 4.

C. scurra, Gard. Chron., 1877, vii., 305.

63. Cattleya, Lindley,

About twenty species, and varieties* innumerable, are
known from, principally, Brazil and Mexico. Cat-
tleyas and Lselias are the most showy of all Orchids.
For one specimen of C. Triana var. Leeana 250 gui-
neas were paid, and several other varieties, such as
C. Dodgsoni, Osmani. &c., have brought nearly as
large a sum. The best known and most ornamental
are C. laliata, C. Mossice, C. Mendelii, C. Triana,
C. gigas, C. Douiana, C. Gaskeliana, C. Perdraliana,

OBCHID CONFERENCE. 103

C. Lawrentiana, &c. See Orchid Album, t. 3, 6, 26, 33,
45, 69, 81, 84, 108, 112, 115, 121, 125, 144, 150,
154, 166, 178, 184 ; Bot. Mag., t. 2851, 3265, 3669,
3693, 3742, 3998, 4083, 4085, 4270, 4902, 4909,
4916, 5032, 5039, 5048, 5150, 5504, 5618,. 5683.
For figures, see Gard. Citron, as under :—

*C. Acklandiae, fruit of, 1885, xxiii., 544.

*C. amethystoglossa var. sulphurea, 1866, 315.

*0. dolosa, 1876, v., 430, 431.

*C. Dowiana, fruit of, 1885, xxiii., 501.

*C. fausta, 1873, 290.

*C. fausta var. radicans, 1873, 290.

*C. gigas, 1874, ii., 617 ; 1880, xiv., 269 ; 1882, xvii.,

343.

*C. gigas Sanderiana, 1883, xx., 401.
*C. Lawrenceana, 1885, xviii., 374, 375.
*C. lobata, 1848, 403.
*C. maxima, 1884, xxii., 620
*C. Mossiae, 1883, xx., 533.
*C. nobilior, 1883, xix., 729.
*C. Percivaliana, 1884, xxi., 181.
*C. pumila, a monster, 1854, 804,
*C. Keineckiana, 1884, xxii., 173.
*C. Sanderiana, 1883, xx., 401.
*C. Skinneri, a monster, 1884, xxi., 548.
*C. velutina, 1872, 1259.
*C. Warneri, 1883, xx., 369.

64. CENTROPETALUM, Lindley.

Five or six species, from the Andes of Colombia. The
pretty little Nasonia is now placed here.

65. Cephalanthera, L. C. Richard.

One of the few world- wide genera of Orchids. About ten
species are known.

66. CERATANDRA, Ecklon.

Seven or eight species are known from South Africa.

67. Ceratostylis, Blume.

About fifteen species, from India, Malaysia, and the
Pacific Islands. For species, see Gard. Chron., 1882,
xviii., 812.

104 REPORT ON THE

68. CHEIRADENIA, Lindley.

One species only known, from Guiana.

69. CHEIROSTYLIS, Blume.

Eight species known, from India, Malayan Archipelago,
and Tropical Africa.

70. CHILOGLOTTIS, E. Brown.

Six species, from Australia and New Zealand.
CHLOIDIA (see Corymbia), Gard. Chron.¥, 1879, xi., 267.

71. CHLOR^A, Liudley.

Eighty or more species are known, from South America,
Chili being the head-quarters of the group.

72. CHLOROSA, Blume.

One species only known, from % Java.

73. Chondrorhyncha, Lindley.

One or two species only known, from Colombia.

74. CHRYSOCYCNIS, Reichenbach f.

One species only known, from New Granada.

75. Chrysoglossum, Blume.

Three or four species, from Malayan Archipelago and
Sikkim. See Gard. Chron., 1882, xviii., 428.

76. Chysis, Lindley.

Six or eight species known, from Mexico and Colombia.
C. bractescens and others are showy, with large
waxy flowers in spikes from young growth. For list
of species see Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 267 ; 1882,
xviii., 746; Bot. Mag., t. 3617, 4576, 5186, 5265.
*C. Chelsoni, Gard. Chron., 1880, xiii., 717.

77. CHYTROGLOSSA, Eeichenbach f.

Two species known, from Brazil.

78. Cirrhopetalum, Lindley.

About thirty species, from India, Malaysia, China, and
Madagascar. Some of the species are very beautiful,
but are now but rarely met with in collections. For
list of species, see Gard. Chron., 1882, xviii., 172,
364.

79. CIRRHJEA, Lindley.

Five species from Brazil. See Gard. Chron., 1879, xi.,
267.

ORCtilD CONFERENCE. 105

80. CLEISOSTOMA, Blume.

Fifteen species, from India, Malayan Archipelago, and

Tropical Australia.
CLEISTES (see Pogonia), Gard. Chron. 1879, xi., 267.

81. Clowesia, Lindley.

One species, from Brazil.

82. COCKLIODA, Lindley.

Six species, from the Andes of South America.

83. Coelia, Lindley.

Four or five species, from the West Indies, Central
America, and Mexico. See Orchid Album, t. 51.
For species, see Gard. Chron., 1882, xviii., 428;
see also Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 267.
CCELIOPSIS, Gard. Chron., 1872, 9 ; 1879, xi., 267.

84. Coelogyne, Lindley.

About fifty species are known, from India, Malayan
Archipelago, and the South of China. Many species
are in cultivation, C. cristata and its varieties being
extremely popular. ThePleiones, or " Indian Crocus,"
now included here, are much grown for their beauty.
See Orchid Album, t. 54, 63, 143. For species, see
Gard. Chron., 1883, xix., 46, 576.
*C. brunnea, 1848, 71.
*C. cristata, 1877, vii., 597.
*C. Massangeana. (Supplementary sheet, March 18,

1882.)

COHNIA, Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 297.
COLAX (see Lycaste), Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 267.

85. Collabium, Blume.

Two species, one from Java, and the other is Bornean.
See Gard. Chron., 1882, xviii., 428.

86. Comparettia, Poeppig and Endlicher.

Two species, from the Andes of South America. See
Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 276 ; Bot. Mag., t. 4980 ;
Bot. Keg., 1838, t. 68 ; Orchid Album, t. 65.

87. Corallorhiza, E. Brown.

Ten or twelve specimens are known, but widely dis-
tributed in Europe, Temperate Asia, North America,
and Mexico. See Gard. Chrou., 1879, xi., 267.

106 REPORT ON THE'

88. Coryanthes, Hooker.

Four or five species, from Tropical South America.
See Orchid Album, t. 98 ; Gard. Chron., 1879, xi.,
267 ; Bot. Mag. (Gongora), t. 2755, 3747 ; Bot.
Beg., 1841, t. 1793.

*C. elegantissima (as macrantha), 1882, xvii., 593, 597.

*C. maculata var., sections of, 1885, xxiii., 144, 145.

89. CORYCIUM, Swarz.

Ten species, from South Africa.

90. CORYMBIS, Thouars.

Six or seven species, broadly distributed in the Tropics.

91. Corysanthes, E. Brown.

Fifteen species, in Australia, New Zealand, and in
Malayan Archipelago. See Bot. Mag., t. 5357.

92. Cottonia, Wight.

Two or three species, from India and Ceylon. C. (Vanda)
peduncularis is the type.

93. Cranichis, Swarz.

About twenty species, from the Andes, Tropical South
America, Mexico, and West Indies. See Gard.
Chron., 1879, xi., 268.

94. CREMASTRA, Lindley.

One species, from Japan.

CRYBE (see Arethusa), Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 268.

95. Cryptarrhena, E. Brown.

Species two, one from Central America, and the other
from the West Indies. See Gard. Chron., 1879, xi.,
268.

96. CRYPTOCENTRUM, Bentham*

Only one species known, from Ecuador.

97. Cryptoehilus, Wallich.

Two species, from the Himalayas. See Gard. Chron.,
1882, xviii., 812.

98. CRYPTOPUS, Lindley.

One species, from Madagascar, resembling Angrsecum.

99. CRYPTOSTYLIS, E. Brown.

Species seven, from India, Malayan Archipelago, and

Australia.
*C. longifolia, Gard Chron., 1885, xxiii., 275.

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 107

100. Cycnoches, Lindley.

The " Swan Orchid." Eight species, from Guiana and
Mexico. See Bot. Mag.^t. 3855, 4054, 4213 ; Gard.
Chron., 1879, xi., 268; 'Bot. Mag., t% 3855, 4054,
4215.
*C. Warscewiczii, 1879, xii., 493.

101. Cymbidium, Swarz.

Thirty species, from India, Malayan Archipelago, and
South China. C. eburneum, C. Mastersii, C. giyanteum,
and its variety Lowii, are often met with in col-
lections. See] Orchidf Album, t. 25, 140, 170 ; Bot.
Mag., t. 387, 1751, 4884, 4907, 5126, 5457, 5574,
5710, 5851.

*C. eburneum, 1884, xxii., 499 ; 1884, xxii., 77.

*C. Lowianum, 1879, xi., 405.

102. CYCNORCHIS, Thouars.

Twelve species, from Tropical Africa and Madagascar.

103. CYPERORCHIS, Blume.

Two or three species, from India and Malayan Archipelago.
Near Cymbidium.

104. Cypripedium, LinnaBus.

Forty species, widely ["distributed in Europe, Asia^and
America. The South American species have been
called Selenipedium. Many hybrids have been raised
in gardens. C. caudatum and its abnormal form,
Uropedium, are very remarkable. They are the
" Lady's Slipper " Orchid of gardens, and the most
beautiful North American species (C. spectabile) is
called the " Mocassin Flower." See Orchid Album,
t. 8, 22, 36, 70, 86, 88, 109, 119, 122, 136, 155,
177; Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 268; Bot. Mag., t.
192, 216, 911, 2938, 3024, 5855, 5349, 5508, 5791,
5922, 6175, 6296, 6432, 6490.

*C. Ashburtoniae, 1879, xi., 16.

*C. calceolus, 1879, xi., 813.

*C. caudatum, 1875, iii., 211.

*C. caudatum, fruit of, 1885, xxiii., 472.

*C. concolor, 1865, 626 ; 1883, six., 18.

*C. Druryi, fruit of, 1885, xxiii., 472.

*C. hirsutissimum, fruit of, 1885, xxiii., 472.

16$ ' REPORT ON TSE

*'C. Maulei, 1882, xviii., 716.
*C. punctatum violaceum, 1882, xviii., 717.
*C. Japonicum, 1875, iii., 625.
*C. Isevigatum, 1865, 914.
*C. Lawrenceanum, 1880, xiii., 776.
*C. Lowii, 1847, 765 ; 1850, 215.
*C. niveum, 1883, xix., 18.
*0. occidentale, 1877, vii., 725.
*0. Parishii, 1869, 814.
*0. pubescens, 1883, xix., 785.
*0. selligerum, 1880, xiii., 776.
*C. spectabile, 1877, viii., 689.
*C. Spicerianuin, 1880, xiii., 41.
*C. Stonei, a monstrous, 1883, xx., 78.
*C. Stonei var. platytaenium, 1867, 1118.
*C. vexillarium, 1880, xiii., 781.

CYRTOPERA (see Cyrtopodium), Gard. Chron., 1879, xi.,
268.

105. Cyrtopodium, E. Brown.

Twenty species are known, in Asia, Africa, and Tropical
America. See Gard. Chron,, 1879, xi., 268; Bot.
Mag., t. 1800, 3507.

106. CYRTOSTYLIS, E. Brown.

Three or four species, wild in Australia and New Zealand.
See Fitzgerald, Aust. Orch., with plate.

107. CYSTORCHIS, Blume.

Two species, from the Malayan Archipelago.

108. Dendrobium, Swarz. ' ..\;

Over 300 species, and many varieties are known, from
India, Malayan Archipelago, Ceylon, Japan, China,
and Australia. Several hybrids have been raised.
See Orchid Album, t. 13, 20, 38, 42, 92, 99, 103,
113, 141, 152, 165, 174 ; Bot. Mag., t. 3608, 5249,
4619, 5480, 5537, 5285, 5444, 5459, 5540, 5956,
5968, 6013, 6226, 6383, 4993, 5482, 5515, 5679,
5825, 6007, 6050, 6199, 6319, 6438. For full list of
species see Gard. Chron., 1881, xvi., 624, 688 ; 1882,
xvii., 18, 26, 306, 471, 528, 641, 735, 776, 799.
*D. Ainsworthh, hybr., 1874, i., 443.

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 109

*D. Ainsworthii, 1874, i., 443 ; 1877, viii., 166 ; 1881,

xvi., 624.

*D. amosnum, 1875, iii., 305 ; 1881, xvi., 625.
*D. Benson®, 1878, x., 817 ; 1884, xxii., 145.
*D. Brymerianum, 1879, xi., 475 ; 1881, xvi., 689.
*D. d'Albertisii, 1878, x., 217.
:;:D. densiflorum, 1882, xvii., 737.
*D. formosum giganteum, 1882, xvii., 369.
*D. forinosum giganteum, fruit of, 1885, xxiii., 472.
*D. heterocarpum, fruit of, 1885, xxiii., 472.
*D. Leechianum, 1882, xvii., 256.
*D. luteolum chlorocentrum, 1883, xix., 340.
*D. nobile, 1872, 732 ; 1879, xi., 565.
*D. rhodostoma, fruit of, 1885, xxiii., 472.
*D. speciosum Hillii, 1877, vii., 113.
*D. superbiens, 1878, i., 49.
*D. thyrsiflorum, 1877, vii., 653 ; 1881, xv., 463.
*D. tortile, 1847, 797.
*D. Wardianum, 1877, viii., 240.

109. Dendrochilum, Blume.

Nine or ten species are known, from the Philippines and
other groups in the Malayan Archipelago. They are
extremely graceful little epiphytes, and three or four
species are now common in collections. For species
see Gard. Chron., 1882, xviii., 427.

110. DENDROPHYLAX, Keichenbach f.

Three species, wild in the West Indies, and resembling
Angraecurn. See Bot. Mag., t. 4295.

111. Diacrium, Lindley.

Four species, wild in Guiana, Mexico, and other parts of
Central America. See Bot. Mag., t. 3332 (as an
Epidendrum) ; Gard. Chron., 1883, xix., 764.

112. Diadenium, Poeppig and Endlicher.

Two species, from Peru and Para. See Xenia Orch., i.,
13, t. 6 ; Saunders' Eef. Bot., t. 84 ; Gard Chron.,
1879, xi., 268.

113. Dichsea, Lindley.

Twelve species are known, from Mexico, Central America,
and the West Indies. See Gard. Chron., 1879, xi.,
268.

110 KEPORT ON THE

114. Dignanthe, Lindley.

One species, wild in Mexico. See Gard, Chron., 1879,

xi., 268.
DINEMA (see Epidendrum), Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 268.

115. Diothonea, Lindley.

Four species, from the Andes in Peru and Colombia.
Gard. Chron., 1883, xix., 700.

116. DIPLOCENTRUM, Lindley.

Two or three species known, from India.

117. DIPLOMERIS, Don.

118. DIPODIUM, K. Brown.

Six species, from the Malayan region, Australia, and the
Pacific Isles. See Bot. Beg., t. 1980 ; Paxt., Mag.
Bot., xvL, p. 321 (as Wailesia).

119. Disa, Berg.

Fifty species of Disa are wild in Southern and Tropical
Africa, and in Madagascar, but* only one species
(D. grandiflora) is common in gardens, being one
of the most beautiful of all terrestrial Orchids.
Known to us from the Southern Hemisphere, Cypri-
pedium spectabile being the belle of the Northern one.
See Bot. Mag., t. 4073, 4091, 6529, 6532, ; Bot.
Beg., t. 324, 926 ; Harvey, Thes. Cap., t. 41, 84, 86.

*D. grandiflora, Gard. Chron., 1875, iii., 441 ; 1882,
xviii., 521.

120. DISPERIS, Swarz.

Twenty species known, from India, Tropical Africa,
South Africa, and Madagascar. See Harvey's Thes.
Cap., t. 106, 148,171,172.

121. DIURIS, Swarz.

Fifteen species, all wild, in Australia. See Fitzgerald
Aust. Orch., with two plates ; Bot. Mag., t. 3156,
6201.

122. DORITIS, Lindley.

Five or more species, from India and the Malayan
Archipelago. Some species have been referred to
Dendrobium, others to Aerides and to Phalasnopsis.

123. DOSSINIA, Morren.

One species known, from Borneo.

OECHID CONFERENCE. Ill

124. DRAKEA, Lindley.

Three species known, from Australia ; vide Echb. f., Xenia

Orch., t. 189.
*D. elastica, Gard. Chron., 1848, 424.

125. Drymoda, Lindley.

One species, from the Malayan Peninsula. See Bot. Mag.,
t. 5905 ; Gard. Chron., 1882, xviii., p. 427.

126. Erina, Lindley.

Six or eight species known, from New Zealand and the
Pacific Islands. See Gard. Chron., 1882, xviii., 812.

127. Elleanthus, Presl.

Fifty species, from Tropical America, Brazil, Central
America, and the West India Islands. See Gard.

Chron., 1879, xi., 334 ; 1883, xix., 659.

I

128. EPIBLEMA, E. Brown.

One species, from South West Australia and New Zealand.

129. Epidendrum, Linnaeus.

Above 400 species are described, from Tropical America,
extending as far north as Texas, where one species
exists on trees of Magnolia glauca. A large pro-
portion are fragrant, but with dingy white or greenish
flowers. E. vitellinum, E. nemorale, E. bicornutum,
and many others are, however, showy and generally
cultivated. E. cochleatum and E. fragrans were the
first epiphytal Orchids to flower in the Eoyal Gardens
at Kew. See Orchid Album, t. 4, 74, 149, 157, 161.
For full list of species see Gard. Chron., 1879, xi.,
334, 367. See also Gard. Chron., 1883, xx., 42, 152,
204, 244, 477, 573, 606, 634 ; Bot. Mag., t. 2831,
3013, 3534, 3557, 3631, 3638, 3765, 3885, 3898,
4067,4094,4107, 4572, 4606, 4784, 533, 5491, 5664,
6098, &c.
*E. Endresii, Gard. Chron., 1885, xxiii., 504.

130. Epipactis, E. Brown.

Ten or more species are known, and are widely distributed
in Europe, Asia, and America, outside tropical limits.
See Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 433.
*E. latifolia var., 1852, 532.

112 KEPORT ON THE

181. EPIPOGUM, Gmelin.

Two species, from Temperate Europe and Asia.

132. EPISTEPHIUM, Kiinth.

Six species, from Tropical South America. See Bot.
Mag., t. 5485.

133. Eria, Lindley.

Eighty species, from India, South China, and the Malayan
Archipelago. They are mostly weedy in habit, and
produce inconspicuous flowers. For full list of species
see Gard. Chron., 1882, xviii., 468; Bot. Mag., t.
3605, 4163, 5391, 5415, 5807, 5910.
*E. flava, Gard. Chron., 1882, xviii., 469.
134 ERIOCHILUS, E. Brown.

Five or six species are known, all from Australia.

135. Eriopsis, Lindley.

Three or four species, from North Brazil, Guiana, and
Colombia. E. biloba is an interesting and showy
species. See Bot. Mag., t. 4437.

136. Erycina, Lindley.

One species known, from Mexico, resembling lonopsis in

habit. See Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 433.
EUCNEMIS (see Govenia), Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 433.

137. EUCOSIA, Blume.

""^S One species, from Java.

138. jEulophia, E. Brown.

Fifty species, wild for the most part, in Tropical and
Southern Africa, Tropical Asia, and one from Brazil.
Few have been introduced. See Orchid Album, t.
89 ; Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 433 ; Bot. Mag., t. 2467,
5564, 5579, 5875, 6246.

139. FARICARIA, Lindley.

One species, from South Africa.

FEEGEA (see Sobralia), Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 433.

140. Galeandra, Lindley.

Six species, wild in Tropical America, Brazil and Mexico.
. See Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 43£;'Bot. Mag., t. 4610,
4701; Bot. Beg., 1840, t. 49 ; Maund's Botanist, t.
231.
*G. nivalis, Gard. Chron. 1882, xvii., 537.

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 113

141. GALEOLA, Loureiro.

Twelve species, from India, Japan, Malayan Archipelago,

Australia, and New Caledonia.
GALEOTTIA. (See Zygopetalum.)
*G. fimbriata, Gard. Chron., 1856, 660.

142. GASTRODIA, R. Brown.

Seven species, from India, Western Asia, Malayan Archi-
pelago, Australia, and New Zealand.

143. Geodorum, Jackson.

Nine or ten species, wild in India, Malayan Archipelago,
and Australia. See Bot. Mag., t. 2195.

144. Glomera, Blume.

Two species, from the Malayan Archipelago and Pacific
Isles. See Gard. Chron., 1882, xviii., 812.

145. GLOSSODIA, R, Brown.

Four species, wild in Australia.

146. GLOSSULA, Lindley.

One species, from China and Cochin China ; near
Harbenaria, or Bonatea.

147. Gomeza, R. Brown.

Six species, wild in Brazil, related to Odontoglossum or
Rodriguezia. See Bot. Mag., t. 2746 (PleurothaUis),
t. 3497, 3505 (as Rodriguezia).

148. GOMPHICHIS, Lindley.

Four or five species, wild on the Andes of South America.

149. Gongora, Ruiz and Pavon.

Twenty species, wild in Mexico and Braxil. The genus
Acropera is now included. Some of the species are
very interesting as grown in baskets, although not
showy enough for modern collectors* See Gard.
Chron., 1879, xi., 433.

150. Goody era, R. Brown.

Twenty-five species, natives of Britain, Europe, Madeira,
Asia, tropical and temperate ; Madagascar, North
America, and New Caledonia. Velvety -leaved, low-
growing plants, resembling the Anaectochili of the
Tropics. G. discolor and G. Dawsoni are common in
collections. See Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 433 ; Bot.
Mag., t. 2540.

H

114 REPOKT ON THE

151. GOVENIA, Lindley.

Ten species are known, from Brazil, Mexico, and the
West Indies. See Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 433 ; Bot.
Mag., t. 3660, 4151.

152. GKAMMANGIS, Keichenbach f.

Two species, one from Madagascar (see Bot. Mag., 5179,
Gramniatophyllum), and one from Java(?). See Bot.
Mag., t. 5676 (as Cyinbidium Huttoni).

153. Grammatophyllum, Blume.

Three or four species, from Malayan Archipelago and
Madagascar. They are large-growing epiphytes.
See Orchid Album, t. 147.
*G. speciosum, Gard. Chron., 1878, x., 180.

154. Grobya, Lindley.

Two species, wild in Brazil.

155. GYMNOCHILUS, Blume.

Two species, wild in Madagascar. Near Goodyera.

156. Habenaria, Willdenow.

Four hundred species, from the temperate and subtropical
regions, where they are widely distributed. Few are
worth cultivating. See Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 433.

157. H^MARIA, Lindley.

Four species, wild in China, Cochin China, and the
Malayan Archipelago. See Bot. Mag., t. 2055 ; Bot.
Beg., t. 271.

158. Hartwegia, Lindley.

One species, wild in Mexico and Central America, and
rarely met with in collections as H. purpurea. See
' Gard. -Chron., xix., 764.

159. HEMIPILIA, Lindley.

Two species, wild in India. Near Habenaria or Bonatea.

160. HERMINIUM, Linnaeus.

Six species, wild in Europe and Temperate Asia.

161. HERPYSMA, Lindley.

One species known, from the Himalayas.

162. Herschelia, Lindley.

Two species, from Southern Africa. Near Disa. H. ccelestis
flowered at De Graaffs nursery in Leyden a few
years ago.

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 115

163. HET^RIA, Blume.

Thirteen species, from India, Malaysia, Australia, and
Tropical Africa. Near Goodyera, but not showy.

164. Hexadesmia, A. Brongniart.

Four or five species, from Mexico, Central America, West
Indies, and Brazil. See Gard. Chron., 1883, xix., 700.

165. HEXALECTRIS, Eafin.

One species, from Southern North America and Mexico,
near Corallorhiza and Bletia.

166. Hexesia, Lindley.

Three or four species, wild in Mexico, Central America,
and Brazil. See Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 434 ; 1883,
xix., 700.

167. HOFFMEISTERELLA, Keichenbach f.

One species, from the Andes of Ecuador.

168. HOLOTHRIX, L. C. Eichard.

Eighteen or twenty species, from Abyssinia and South
Africa.

169. Hormidium, Lindley.

Seven species, from Tropical America, Brazil, Cuba and
Mexico. See Gard. Chron., 1883, xix., 700 ; Bot.
Mag., t. 3233, 6314.

170. Houlletia, A. Brongniart.

Five species, from Brazil and Colombia. See Gard.

Chron., 1879, xi., 434 ; Bot. Mag., t. 4075, 6305.
*H. chrysantha, Gard. Chron., 1882, xviii., 437.
HUNTLEYA. (See Zygopetalum.)

171. HUTTON^A, Harvey.

Two species, from South Africa.

172. HYLOPHILA, Lindley.

One species, from Malacca and Malayan Archipelago.

173. lonopsis, Humboldt, Bonpland, and Kiinth.

Ten species are known, from Tropical America, Brazil,

Mexico, and the West Indies. I. paniculata and

others are showy, but difficult of prolonged cultivation

See Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., p. 434; Bot. Mag., t. 5541.

H 2

116 REPORT ON THE

174. Isochilus, R. Brown.

Four or five species, from South America, Brazil, Mexico,
West Indies. See Bot. Reg., t. 745 ; Gard. Chron.,
1879, xi., 434 ; 1883, xix., 764.

175. Josepha, Wight.

Two species, from the Indian Peninsula and Ceylon. See
Gard. Chron., 1882, xviii., 812.

176. Lacaena, Lindley.

Two species, known in Central America. See Gard.
Chron., 1879, xi., 434.

177. Lselia, Lindley.

Twenty species or more, from Mexico to Brazil ; differs
from Cattleya in having eight pollen masses in each
flower instead of four. All are showy, and much
prized. See Orchid Album, t. 2, 9, 10, 23, 30 44,
49, 60, 75, 97, 117, 123, 132, 135, 138, 146, 181 ;
Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 559 ; Bot. Mag., t. 3804,
3810, 3817, 3957, 4000, 4099, 4302, 4205, 5144,
5449, 5498, 5553, 5667, 6038. The following species
are figured in Gard. Chron. : —

*L. autumnalis var., 1872, 1009.

*L. Jongheana, 1872, 425.

*L. majalis, 1883, xix., 628.

*L. Mylamiana, 1876, ii., 740.

*L. purpurata, 1880, xiv., 45.

*L. Veitchiana, 1883, xx., 145 (Supplement).

178. Laeliopsis, Lindley.

Species three or four, from the West Indies and Cuba
and St. Domingo. L&liopsis Domingiensis resembles
Broughtonia in habit, with pale rosy flowers.

179. Lamium, Lindley.

Species two only, from Brazil and Surinam. Near
Epidendrum. See Gard. Chron., 1883, xix., 660.

1 80. Latourea, Blume.

One species, wild in New Guinea, with the habit of Den-
drobium. See Gard. Chron., 1882, xviii., 52.

181. LEUCANORCHIS, Blume.

Two species, from Java and Japan, resembling Aphyllorchis,

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 117

182. LEIOCHILUS, Knowles and Westcott.

Four or five species, wild in Central America, Mexico, and
the West Indies. See Bot. Mag., t. 3845.

183. Lepanthes, Swarz.

Forty species, from Tropical America on the Andes, Mexico
and West Indies. See Bot. Mag., t. 4112, 5259 ;
Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 559 ; 1881, xvi., 136.

184. LEPIDOGYNE, Blume.

One species, from Java
LEPTOTES. (See Tetramicra).

185. LEUCORCHIS, Blume.

Two or three species, from India, Malayan Archipelago,

and the Pacific Islands. Widely distributed.
LIMATODES. (See Calanthe.)

186. Limodorum, L. C. Richard.

One species, wild in the Mediterranean, Europe, and
Caucasus.

187. Liparis, L. C. Richard.

A hundred species, widely dispersed throughout the sub-
tropical regions. L. longipes is now and then found
in cultivation. See Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 559 ;
1881, xvi., 592; Bot. Mag., t. 2004 (Malaxis), 2709,
3770, 5529.

::L. Lceselii, Gard. Chron., 1884, xxi., 144.

188. Lissochilus, R. Brown.

Thirty species, from Tropical and Southern Africa. See
Bot. Mag., t. 2931 (Eulophia), 5486, 5851.

189. Listera, R. Brown.

Ten species, in Europe and Temperate Asia and mountains
of North America. See Reich., Ic. Fl. Germ., t. 478,
f. 3_5, t. 479, 480 ; Hook. Fl. Bor. Arner., t. 205.

190. Lockhartia, Hooker.

Ten species, from Tropical America, Brazil, West Indies,
and Mexico. See Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 559; Bot.
Mag., t. 2715, 5592 (Femandezia); Bot. Reg., t.
1806 (Femandezia).

118 REPORT ON THti

191. Luisia, Gaudichaud.

Ten species, from India, Eastern Asia, Malaysia and
Japan. See Bot. Mag., t. 3648 (Cymbidium), 5558.
*L. Psyche, Gard. Chron., 1865, 842.

192. Ly caste, Lindley.

Twenty-five species, from Tropical America, Peru, Mexico,
and West Indies. Pamphinia and Colax are now
included here. Mostly showy. L. Skinneri and its
varieties are very popular. See Orchid Album, t.
100 ; Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 559 ; Bot. Mag., t.
3146, 3395, 4081, 4193, 4445, 5616, 5706, 6251,
6303.
*L. flavescens, Gard. Chron., 1882, xvii., 523.

193. Lycomormium, Reichenbach, f.

Two or three species, from Colombia and Central America.
Habit of Peristeria. Flowers resembling Cyrtopodium.
See Bot. Reg., 1. 1953 ; Knowles and Westcott, Floral
Cabinet, t. 70.

194. LYPERANTHUS, R. Brown.

Five or six species, from New Caledonia, New Zealand.

195. MACODES, Blume.

One species, from Java. See Blume, Orch. Archip. Ind.,
119, t. 31, 36; Rchb. f., Xen. Orch., t. 96, f. 1.

196. Macradenia, R. Brown.

One or two species, from the West Indies. See Gard.
Chron., 1879, xi., 559.

197 Malaxsis, Swarz.

One little species ' (M. paludosa), is epiphytal on living
sphagnum in Britain, Ireland and North Europe.
See Gard. Chron. 1881, xvi., 463.
*M. paludosa, 1884, xxi., 144.

198. MANNIELLA, Reichenbach f.

One species, native of West Tropical Africa. Related to
Platylepis. Flowers small, not showy.

199. Masdevallia, Ruiz and Pavon.

Species a hundred or more, wild in South America, Peru,
Mexico, Brazil, Guiana, and West Indies, generally at
considerable altitudes on mountains. Many are showy

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 119

and they are favourites in collections along with
Odontoglossa from similar climates. J/. Veitchii,
M. Harryana, M. Davisii, M. tovarenses, M. chim&ra,
and others, are very beautiful. For full list of species
see Gard. Chron., 1881, xvi., 236, 305, 336, 409;
1879, xi., 559 ; Orchid Album, t. 5, 24, 62, 76, 105,
110 ; Bot. Mag., t. 4921, 5476, 5505, 5239, 5962,
5990, 6152, 6159, 6171, 6190, 6208, 6258, 6262,
6273, 6368, 6372. The following species are figured
in Gard. Chron. : —

*M. bella, 1880, xiii., 756 ; 1881, xvi., 237.

*M. Carderi, 1883, xx., 181.

*M. chimaera, 1875, iii., 41 ; 1881, xvi., 113.

*M. coccinea, 1868, 70; 1881, xvi., 236; 1884, xxi., 736.

*Masdevallia, group of, 1881, xxi., 741.

*M. ignea, 1872, 545 ; 1881, xvi., 305.

*M. Lindeni, 1874, i., 385 ; plant, 1881, xvi., 336.

*M. macrura, 1877, vii., 13 ; 1881, xvi., 337.

*M. nycterina, 1881, xvi., 837 ; 1874, 639.

*M. polysticta, 1875, iii., 657.

*M. racemosa var. Crossi, 1884, xxi., 737.

*M. rosea, 1880, xiii., 680, 681 ; 1881, xvi., 336 ; 1882,

xvii., 644.

*M. Schlimii, 1883, xix., 532.
*M. tovarense, 1871, 1421; 1881, xvi. 409.
*M. triaristella, 1876, vi., 559.
*M. Veitchiana, 1871, 1421; 1881, xvi., 409.
*M. Wallisii var. stupenda, 1885, xxiii., 473.

200. Maxillaria, Euiz and Pavon.

Above a hundred species are known, from Tropical America,
Brazil, West Indies, and Mexico. j\l. grundiflora and
J/. venmta resemble Lycaste in having large flowers,
solitary on basal scapes, but there are many incon-
spicuous species in the group. See Orchid Album,
106 ; Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 559, 686 ; Bot. Mag.,
t. 2729, 3154, 3613, 3945, 3966, 4374, 4434, 6477 ;
Bot. Reg., t. 3614.

201. Megaclinium, Lindley.

Nine species, wild in Tropical Africa, where they seem to
represent the Eastern Bulbophylla. See Gard. Chron,

120 KEPOKT ON THE

1882, xviii., 364; Bot. Mag., t. 4028, 5836; Bot.
Beg., t. 1959.
MESOSPINIDIUM. (See Odontoglossum.)

202. Meiracylhim, Beichenbach, f.

Three species, from Mexico and Central America, with
habit of Pleurothallids, and pollen resembling Eria.
See Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 686 ; 1881, xvi., 428.

203. MICROSACCUS, Blume.

Three or four species, from Malayan Archipelago and
Malacca, somewhat resembling Saccolabium, with
affinity with some Dendrobes.

204. Microstylis, Nuttall.

Forty species are wild in Europe, Asia, and America.
North and South. See Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 686 ;
» 1881, xvi., 463 ; Bot. Mag., t. 4103, 5403, 6325.
*M. histionantha, 1881, xvi., 463.

205. MICROTIS, B. Brown.

Six species, wild in Australia and New Zealand (? Java.)

206. Miltonia, Lindley.

Ten species, from Peru and Brazil. Mostly showy when
well grown. It is questionable whether the Miltonia-
flowered Odontoglots should not be included here, or
are they hybrids, Miltonia and Odontoglossum ? See
Orchid Album, t. 46, 72, 146 ; Bot. Mag., t. 3793,
4109, 4204, 4425, 5436, 5572, 5843.
*M. Warscewiczii, Gard. Chron., 1871, 1258.

207. MCERENHOUTIA, Blume.

One species, wild in the Society Island. Not showy.
MONACANTHUS. (See Catasetum.)

208. MONADENIA, Lindley.

Twelve species, from South Africa, approaching Disa.

209. Monomeria, Lindley.

Two species, one from Nepal and one from Burmah,
resembling Bulbophylli. See Gard. Chron., 1882,
xviii., 427.

210. Mormodes, Lindley.

Fourteen species, from Colombia, Central America, and
Mexico. Showy and interesting plants, requiring a

OBCHID CONFERENCE. 121

hot, dry atmosphere like Catasetum. See Gard.

Chron., 1879, xi., 686 ; Bot. Mag., t. 3879, 3900,

4214, 4455, 4577, 5802, 2840, 6496. The following

are figured in Gard. Chron. : —
*M. Cartoni var., 1871, 447.
*M. luxatum eburnenm, 1882, xviii., 145.
*M. Ocanaj, 1879, xii., 816, 817.

211. MORMOLYCE, Fenzl.

One species, wild in Mexico.
MYANTHUS. (See Catestum.)

212. MYRMECHIS, Blume.

Two species, from Java and Japan.

213. MYSTACIDIUM, Lindley.

Twenty species, from Tropical and Southern Africa, near

Angraecum.

NANODES, Lindley. (See Epidendrum.)
*N. Medusae, Gard. Chron., 1867, 432.

214. NEODRYAS, Keichenbach, f.

Three species, from Bolivia and Peru, approaching
Oncidium (0. Brunleesi$num).

215. Neottia, Linnaeus.

Three species, from Europe, Northern Asia, in mountainous
districts. Not showy.

216. Nephelaphyllum, Blume.

Four species, from India, South China, and Malayan
Archipelago. See Gard. Chron., 1882, xviii., 780 ;
Bot. Mag., t. 5332, 5390.

217. NEUWIEDIA, Blume.

Three species, from Malacca and the Malayan Archipelago.

218. Notylia, Lindley.

Eighteen species, from Tropical America (Pleurothallis).
See Gard. Chron., 1879, xi., 719 ; Bot. Mag., t. 5609,
6311 ; Bot. Reg., t. 759 (Pleurothallis).

219. Oberonia, Lindley.

Fifty species, from Tropical Asia, Madagascar, Pacific
Islands, and Australia. Curious epiphytes, with
distichous leaves and minute greenish flowers arranged
in rat-tail-like spikes. See Gard. Chron., 1881, xvi.
527; Bot. Mag., t. 4517, 5056.

122 REPORT ON THE

220. Octodesmia, Bentham.

Three species, from Jamaica, St. Domingo. See Gard.
Chron., 1883, xix., 700 ; Bot. Mag., t. 2823.

221. Octomeria, E. Brown.

Ten species, described from Tropical America and the
West Indies. Near Pleurothallis. See Gard. Chron.,
1879, xi., 719 ; 1881, xvi., 428 ; Bot. Mag., t. 2764.

222. Odontochihis, Blume.

Ten species, from India, Malayan Archipelago, and the
Pacific Islands. Ornamental-leaved plants, related to
the Angectochiles. See Gard. Chron., 1883, xix., 608.

223. Odontoglossum, Humboldt, Bonpland, and Kiinth.

Eighty species, of numerous varieties, wild on the
Andes of Tropical America, Bolivia, and Mexico.
Nearly all the species are amenable to cool -house
growth, the exceptions being 0. grande, O. Insleayi,
0. citrosmum, and the species of the Miltonia flowered,
or 0. vevillarium group. The genus Mesospinidium
is now included here. See Orchid Album, t. 27, 35,
40, 43, 47, 52, 58, 64, 66, 68, 71, 79, 82, 85, 90, 101,
111, 118, 127, 131, 151, 163, 167, 171, 175 ; Gard.
Chron., 1879, xi., 719; Bot. Mag., t. 3812 (Zygope-
talum), 3955, 4372, 4878, 4919, 4923, 5691, 5697,
5736, 5778, 5993, 6029, 6144, 6229, 6237, 6265,
6317, 6455, 6502. The following species are figured
in Gard. Chron. : —

*0. Andersonianum, 1884, xxii., 44.
*0. Andersonianum var. lobatum, 1884, xxii., 45
*0. cirrosum, 1878, ix., 181 ; 1876, v., 54, 503.
*0. Coradinei, 1872, 1068.
*0. Dawsonianum, 1865, 1226.
*0. elegans, 1883, xix., 721.
*0. gloriosum, 1865, 578.
*0. grande, fruit of, 1885, xxiii., 505.
*0. Halli, 1865, 962 ; 1873, 77-
*0. hebraicum, 1881, xvi., 175.
*0. Krameri, 1868, 98.
*0. luteo-purpureum, 1884, xxi., 585.
*0. lyroglossum, 1882, xvii., 632. (Supplement, May 13,
1882.)

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 128

*0. membranaceum, 1881, xv., 753.

*0. mulus var., 1883, xix., 469.

-0. nebulosum, 1867, 572,

*0. nebulosum candidulum, 1867, 710.

*0. nevadense, 1881, xvi., 461.

*0. Oerstedii, 1877, vii., 811.

*0. odoratum, 1881, xv., 337.

*0. Pescatorei, 1884, xxii., 332.

*0. Phalaenopsis, 1872, 832.

*0. polyxanthum, 1881, xvi., 461 ; 1883, xix., 761.

*0. radiatum, 1865, 746.

*0. Koezlii, 1873, 1303.

*0. Kossi majus var. rubescens, 1884, xxi., 345.

*0. Kuckerianum, 1873, 105.

*0. Schliperianum, 1865, 1082.

*0. triumphans, 1867, 516.

*0. vexillarium, 1872, 667 ; 1873, 644.

*0. Wanierianum, 1865, 579.

*0. Wilckeanum, 1884, xx., 640.

224. OEONIA, Lindley.

Four or five species, wild in Madagascar. They are
related to Angraecum.

225. Oncidium, Swarz.

Over 250 species are known, from Tropical America.
Brazil and Bolivia, West Indies, and Mexico. Many
showy species are in cultivation. They vary much
in habit, the sections being " small lipped "
(microchilia), " Iris-leaved " (equitantia), " round-
leaved " (teretifolia), and " flat-leaved " (planifolia).
0. papilio is the " Butterfly Orchid," and one of the
first of Orchids to attract public attention in England.
See Orchid Album, t. 1, 12, 32, 104, 129, 137, 183 ;
Bot. Mag., t/5632, 2773, 3393, 4130, 3568,777,
1491, 2203, 2990, 3109, 3486, 3499,3581, 3705,
3712, 3752, 3806, 3807, 3836, 5193, 6138, 6254
6278, 6322. See also Gard. Chron., 1879, xii., 43.
The following are figured in Gard. Chron.: —

*0. bifrons, 1857, 84.

*0. candidiun, 1883, xx., 233.

*0. Forbesii, 1879, xi., 525.

*0. Forbesii var. Borwickianum, 1879, xi., 525.

124 EEPOKT ON THE

*0. Gardnerianum, 1881, xvi., 86.

::cO. Lanceanum, 1884, xxi., 609.

*0. luridum var. purpuratum, 1848, 159.

*0. macranthum, 1869, 739.

*0. microchilum, 1856, 68.

*0. monachicum, 1883, xix., 369.

*0. Eogersii, 1870, 277.

*0. splendidum, 1871, 42.

*0. varicostim, 1870, 277.

*0. zebrinum, 1872, 1355.

226. Ophrys, Linnaeus.

Thirty species or more, wild in Europe, Temperate Asia,
and Northern Africa. The likeness to insects, as
shown by several species of Ophrys, has long been
observed. The Spider, Fly and Bee Ophrys belong
to this group, and some European species and varieties
are very beautiful. See Kchb. Ic. Fl. Germ., t. 443,
465 ; Barlaa. Ic. Orch. Alp. Marit., t. 51,62; Moggr.
Fl. Ment., t. 19, 43, 46, 72. See Gard. Chron., for
figures of the following : —

*0. tenthredinifera, 1872, 605.

*0. scolopax, 1869, 442 ; 1872, 1009.

227. Orchis, Linnaeus.

Eighty species, widely distributed throughout the temperate
regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The most
showy species are from North Africa and the islands
of Madeira, and those of the Canary group. The
" long purples " of Shakespeare are supposed to refer
to our 0. mascula. These species of Orchids are
more easily cultivated than are many other terrestrial
species.
-Orchis, Snipe (Ophrys scolopax), 1869, 442 ; 1872, 1009.

228. OREOKCHIS, Lindley.

Four species, from the mountains of Asia and India,
Siberia and Japan.

229. Ornithidium, Salisbaud.

Twenty species, from Tropical America, Brazil, West
Indies, and Mexico. 0. coccinea is a pretty little
red-flowered species, in cultivation. See Gard. Chron.,

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 125

1879, xi., 75; Bot. Mag., t. 1437 (Cymbidium) ; Bot.
Reg., 1. 1804 ; Saunders' Eef. Bot., t. 105 (Mamllaria
densa).

230. Ornithocephalus, Hooker.

Twenty species, from Tropical America, Brazil, and Mexico.
Small-growing epiphytes of no great beauty. Gard.
Chron., 1879, xii., 75.

231. ORNITHOCHILUS, Wallich.

Two species, from the Himalayas and Burmah.

232. ORTHOCERAS, R. Brown.

One species, from Australia and New Zealand. Fitzgerald,
Australian Orchids, with plate.

233. Osyricera, Blume.

One species, from Java, approaching Bulbophyllum. See
Gard. Chron., 1882, xviii., 427.

234. OTOCHILUS, Lindley.

Three or four species, from the Himalayas and Burmah.
Near Coelogyne. See Bot. Mag., t. 3921.

235. PACHITES(?), Lindley.

One species, from South Africa.

236. Pacyphyllum, Humboldt, Bonpland and Kiinth.

Six or seven species, from the Andes of Tropical America.
Near Lockhartia, or Fernaiidezia. See Hooker, Icon.
Plant., t. 117; Gard. Chron., 1879, xii., 75.

237. Pachystoma, Blume.

Ten species, native of India, Malayan Archipelago, and
Tropical Africa. P. Tlwmpsonianum is a very beautiful
species, now and then seen in cultivation. Ipsea is
now included here. See Gard. Chron., 1882, xviii.,
500 ; Bot. Mag., t. 5701, 6471.
*P. speciosum Thompsoni, Gard. Chron., 1879, xii., 625 ;

1882, xviii., 501.
PALUMBINA (see Oncidium).
*P. Candida, Gard Chron., 1865, 793.

238. Panisea, Lindley.

One or two species, from the Himalayas. Related to
Coelogynes and Bulbophylls. Gard. Chron., 1882,
xviii., 427.

PAPHINIA (see Lycaste), Orchid Album, t. 34, 145.

126 REPORT ON THE

PAPPERITZIA, Gard. Chron., 1879, xii., 75.
PAXTONIA (see Spathoglottis).
*Paxtonia rosea, 1882, xviii., 532.

239. PELEXIA, Lindley.

Seven or eight species, from Tropical America, Brazil,
West Indies, and Central America. Near Spiranthes
and Cephalanthera. Not showy.

240. Peristeria, Hooker.

Two or three species, from the Andes of Colombia, and
from Panama. P. data is the "El Spirito Sancta,"
or "Dove Orchid," often met with in gardens, where
it produces long erect spikes of fleshy- white, waxlike
flowers. Gard. Chron., 1879, xii., 75.
PESCATOREA (see Zygopetalum), Orchid Album, t. 17, 57.
*P. Dayana var. candidula, Gard. Chron., 1875, iii., 343.
*P. Lehmanni, Gard. Chron., 1882. xvii., 45.

241. Phaius, Loureiro.

Fifteen species, wild in Tropical Asia, Japan, Malaysia,
Pacific Islands, Australia, Madagascar, and in Tropical
Africa. Phaius grandifolius, from Hong Kong, is
naturalised in Jamaica, and is one of the oldest of
cultivated Orchids. Thunia is now included under
Phaius. P. Wallichii is only a form of P. grandiflora
See Orchid Album, t. 91 ; Gard. Chron., 1882, xviii.,
565 ; Bot. Mag., t. 1924, 2713 (Bletia), t. 3960, 4078,
6032, 4442, 3991, 5694. The following species are
figured in Gard. Chron. : —

*P. Callosus, 1848, 287,

*P. grandifolius, 1872, 733 ; 1882, xviii., 565.

*P. irroratus, 1867, 264 ; 1882, xviii., 565.

*P. tuberculosus, 1881, xv.,341; 1882, xviii., 595; 1884,
xxi., 520.

242. Phalsenopsis, Blume.

Twenty to thirty species, from India, the Philippines, and
Malayan Archipelago. These are amongst the most
graceful and beautiful of all Orchids. P. grandiflora,
P. amabilis, P. SchiUeriana, and their varieties, are
well-known. See Orchid Album, t. 11, 39, 80, 158,

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 127

182; Bot. Mag., t. 4297, 5184, 5351, 5630, 6622,
5212, 5523, 5527, 5815, 5570. The following are
figured in Gard. Chron. : —

*P. amabilis, 1848, 269.

*P. amethystina, 1870, 1731.

*Phalaenopsis at home, 1879, xi., 597.

*P. grandiflora, 1848, 39.

*P. Portei, 1876, v., 369, 371.

::P. rosea, 1848, 671.

*P. speciosa var. Christiana, 1882, xviii., 745.

*P. Schilleriana, 1875, iv., 169 ; 1881, xvi., 301.

*P. Stuartiana, 1881, xvi., 752.

*P. Sumatrana, 1865, 507.

;:P. violacea, 1881, xvi., 145.

243. Pholidota, Lindley.

About twenty species, from India, Malaysia and South
China. P. imbricata and P. articulata are met with in
collections, but none are showy. See Gard. Chron.,
1883, xix., 608.

244. Phreatia, Lindley.

Ten species, wild in India, Malaysia, Pacific Isles, and
Australia. Oberoniais included. See Gard. Chron.,
1882, viii., 500.

245. PHYMATIDIUM, Lindley.

Two species from Brazil. Near Ornithocephalus.

246. Physosiphon, Lindley.

Four species, from Tropical America, Brazil, and Mexico.
Near Stelis, and not showy. P. Loddiyedi is some-
times grown in collections. See Gard. Chron., 1879,
xii., 75 ; 1881, xvi., 136 ; Bot. Mag., t. 4869 ; Lod-
diges, Botanical Cabinet, t. 1601 (Stelis).

247. Physurus, L. C. Eichard.

Twenty species, wild in Asia and Tropical America. Low
growing, leafy Orchids, resembling Goodyera or
Ansectochilus. See Gard. Chron., 1879, xii., 75 ;
Bot. Mag., t. 5305.

PELUMNA (see Trichopilia), Orchid Album, t. 128.

128 REPORT ON THE

248. Pinelia, Lindley.

One species, wild in Brazil, resembling Restrepia. See

Gard. Chron., 1883, xix., 764.
PLATANTHERA (see Habernaria), Gard. Chron., 1879, xii., 75.

249. PLATYCLINIS, Bentham.

Eight species, from India and Malaysia, resembling Liparis,
See Bot. Mag., t. 4853.

250. PLATYCORYNE, Keichenbach f.

One species, wild in Madagascar, and approaching Disa
in habit.

251. PLATYLEPIS, A. Eich.

Five species, wild in Tropical and Southern Africa and

Madagascar. Near Goodyera.
PLEIONE = Coelogyne. See Orchid Album, 1. 102.
*Pleiones, Gard. Chron., 1874, i., 15.

252. Pleuranthium, Lindley.

Five or six species, wild in Tropical America. Near
Ponera. Not showy. See Gard. Chron., 1883, xix.,
764.

253. Pleurothallis, R. Brown.

About 350 species are wild in Tropical America, Brazil,
Bolivia, and elsewhere on mountains. Many are
weedy. For full list of cultivated species see Gard.
Chron., 1879, xii., 75 ; 1881, xv., 784 ; xvi., 10, 42 ;
Bot. Mag., t. 3261, 3030, 3682, 3897, 4142.
*P. scapha, Gard. Chron., 1881, xv., 784.

254. PLOCOGLOTTIS, Blume.

Eight species, from Malaysia.

255. PODOCHILUS, Blunie.

Twelve species, wild in India and Malayan Archipelago.

256. Pogonia, Jussieu.

Thirty species, wild in all parts of the world, America and
Asia, both Tropical and Temperate ; also in
Temperate and Tropical Africa. See Bot. Mag., t.
6125.

257. POGONIOPSIS, Keichenbach f.

One species, wild in Brazil, and related to Pogonia.

258. Polycycnis, Reichenbach f.

Three or four species, native of Tropical America. Pretty
little plants, resembling Gongora in habit. See

ORCHID CONFERENCE.

129

Gard. Chron., 1879, xii., 75 ; Bot. Mag., t. 4479
(Cycnoches); Bot. Keg., 1841, t. 69 (Houlletia).

259. Polystachya, Hooker.

Forty species, wild in Tropical and Southern Africa,
rarely found in Asia and America. But few species
are worth culture. See Gard. Chron., 1879, xii.,
75 ; Bot. Mag., t. 3707, 4161, 5586.

260. Ponera, Lindley.

Four or five species, wild in Mexico and Central America.
Near Epidendrum. See Gard. Chron., 1883, xix.,
764 ; xii., 107.

261. Ponthieva, R. Brown.

Ten or twelve species, wild in Tropical and Sub-tropical
America. Terrestrial herbs. Near Neottia. See
Bot. Mag., t. 842 (Neottia), and 6337 ; Gard. Chron.,
1879, xii., 107.

262. PRASOPHYLLUM, E. Brown.

Twenty-six species, wild in Australia and New Zealand,
and in New Caledonia. Terrestrial herbs. Not
showy.

263. Prescottia, Lindley.

Twenty species, from Tropical America, Brazil, West
Indies, and Mexico. Not showy. See Gard. Chron.,
1879, xii., 107 ; Bot. Reg., t. 1915 ; Lodd., Bot.
Cab., t. 990.

PROMENJSA, Orchid Album, t. 7. (See Zygopetalum.)

264. Pseudocentmm, Lindley.

Four or five species, wild on the Andes of Southern and
Central America, and in Jamaica. Not showy.
See Gard. Chron., 1879, xii., 107.

PSITTACOGLOSSUM (see Maxillaria), Gard. Chron., 1879,
xii., 107.

265. PTERICHIS, Lindley.

Six species, wild in Tropical and Southern America.
Terrestrial herbs. Not showy.

266. PTEROGOSSASPIS, Reichenbach f.

One species, found in Abyssinia.
J

130 REPORT ON THE

267. Pterostylis, E. Brown.

Thirty-six species, from Australia, New Zealand, and New
Caledonia. See Fitzgerald, Austral. Orch., with
twelve plates ; Bot. Mag., t. 3085, 3086, 3172, 3400,
3401, 6851.
*P. Baptistii, Gard. Chron., 1878, ix., 273.

268. PTERYGODIUM, Swarz.

Ten species, from South Africa.

269. QUEKKETTIA, Lindley.

One species, wild in Brazil. Not showy.

270. Renanthera, Loureiro.

Five species, from India and the Malayan Archipelago
and China. R. coccinea is a showy species. See
Bot. Mag., t. 2997, 2998 ; Bot. Keg., t. 1131 ; 1843,
t. 41.

*E. Lowi, Gard. Chron., 1883, xx., 657.

*K. coccinea, Gard. Chron., 1845, 491.

271. Restrepia, Humboldt, Bonpland, and Kiinth.

About twenty species, from Tropical America, Brazil, and
Mexico. In habit resembling Pleurothallis. See
Gard. Chron., 1879, xii., 107 ; 1881, xvi., 172 ; Bot.
Mag., t. 5257, 5966, 6288.
*K. elegans, Gard. Chron., 1881, xvi., 172.

272. BHYNCHOSTYLIS, Blume.

Two or three species, wild in India and Malaysia.
Besembling Saccolabium. See Bot. Mag., t. 4108.

273. Rodriguezia, Kuiz and Pavon.

Twenty species, including Burlingtonia, from Tropical
America, Brazil, and Central America. See Gard.
Chron., 1879, xii., 107 ; Bot. Mag., t. 3324, 4834,
5419 ; Bot. Keg., t. 930 ; Lodd., Bot. Cab., t. 676.

274. Saccolabium, Blume.

About twenty species, wild in India and the Malayan
Archipelago. 8. giganteum, S. guttatum, S. pr&mor-
sum, and others, are well known favourites, specimens
bearing twenty to thirty spikes having been exhibited.
Well grown they are very effective. See Orchid
Album, t. 56, 107, 156, 169; Bot. Mag., t. 4772,
5326, 5433, 5595, 5635, 5681, 5767, 6222.

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 131

*S. Blumei, Gard. Chron., 1885, xxiii., 523.
*S. gufctatum, Gard. Chron., 1845, 364 ; 1874, i., 219.
SARCOPODIUM. (See Bolbophylluin and Dendrobium.)
*S. Dearei, Gard. Chron., 1883, xx., 108.

275. Sarcanthus, Lindley.

Fifteen or twenty species, from India and South China,
and the Malayan Islands. Scarcely any are showy.
See Bot. Mag., t. 3571, 4639, 5217, 5630.

276. Sarcochilus, K. Brown.

Thirty species, from India, Malaysia, Pacific Islands, and
Australia. Not much cultivated, although S. catceolus
is showy.

277. Satyrium, Swarz.

Fifty species, from India, Madagascar, and Tropical and
Southern Africa. Terrestrial herbs, many of which
are beautiful, but not easy of cultivation. See Bot.
Mag., t. 1512, 2172, 6625; Bot. Keg., t. 416, 703 ;
1840, t. 18 ; Lodd., Bot. Cab., t. 104.
*S. nepalense, Gard. Chron., 1885, xxiii., 208.

278. SAUNDERSIA, Eeichenbach f.

One species, wild in Brazil.

279. Scaphoglottis, Pceppig and Endlicher.

Eight or ten species, from Tropical America. Not very
showy. Gard. Chron., 1879, xii., 107 ; 1883, xix.,
700 ; Bot. Mag., t. 4071 ; Bot. Keg., t. 1901.

280. SCELOCHILUS, Klotzsch.

Three or four species, wild on the Andes of Tropical
America, and resembling Comparettia.

281. SCHIZOCHTLUS, Sond.

Four or five species, wild in South Africa.

282. SCHIZODIUM, Lindley.

Ten species, from South Africa. Related to Disa, but
not showy.

283. Schlimmia, Planch.

Three species, from Colombia, resembling Maxillaria in

habit.

*S. trifida, Gard. Chron., 1877, vii., 141,
i 2

132 REPORT ON THE

284. ScH(ENORcms, Blume.

One species, wild in Java (? Australia), resembling
Saccolabium.

285. Schomburgkia, Lindley.

Twelve species, from Tropical and Central America.
8. tibicinis has hollow pseudo-bulbs, and is the
" Cow's-horn Orchid " of Honduras, and difficult to
collect, owing to the ants which infest its sheltering
stems. See Gard. Chron., 1879, xii., 107; Bot.
Mag., 3729, 4476, 5172.

286. Scuticaria, Lindley.

Two or three species, from Brazil and Guiana.
Epiphytes with curious thong-like or terete drooping
leaves. S. Steelii and S. Hadweni have long been
grown in gardens. See Orchid Album, t. 55 ; Bot.
Mag., t. 4629 (Bifrenaria), 3572, 3573 ; Bot. Beg., t.
1986 (Maxillaria).

287. Selenipedium, Eeichenbach f.

Ten species, from mountains of South and Tropical
America. They are mostly grown as Cypripediums.
S. caudatum is one of the most remarkable of Orchids,
its petals growing 20 to 30 inches in length, a large
proportion of which growth elongates after lower bud
expansion. In Uropedium Lindeni the lip is' petaloid
instead of saccate, and three stamens are present.
See Gard. Chron., 1879, xii., 107; Bot. Mag., t.
5466, 5614, 5970, 6217 (Cypripedia).

288. Seraphyta, Fischer and Meyer.

One species, from the West Indies, resembling Amblostoma.
See Gard. Chron., 1883, xix., 700; Bot. Mag., t.
3565 (as Epidendrum diffusum).

289. Serapias, Linnaeus.

Four or five species, wild in the Mediterranean region and
extending to the Azores. They are so closely linked
together by natural hybrid intermediates as to be
scarcely distinguishable from a purely botanical
point of view. See Bot. Mag., t. 5868, 6255 ; Bot.
Beg., t. 1189 ; Moggr., Flor. Ment., t. 16, 94, 95,
*S. cordigera, Gard. Chron., 1883, xx.; 341.

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 133

90 SERTIFERA, Lindley.

One species only known, wild in Ecuador (S. purpurea,
Lindley.)

291. SIGMATOSTAUX, Keichenbach f.

Seven species, wild in Tropical America.

292. Sobralia, Kuiz and Pavon.

Thirty species are wild on the Andes of Tropical America,
Peru, Mexico, and Guiana. They are reedy herbs,
bearing large Cattleya-like flowers, and represented
in the West — the Arundinas of the Eastern Tropics.
•S. macrantha and its varieties are often met with in
collections. See Lindl., Sert. Orch., t. 29 ; Bateman,
Orch. Mex., t. 26, 37 ; Bot. Mag., t. 4446, 4570,
4682, 4882 ; Bot. Keg., 1841, t. 17.
*S. macrantha albida, Gard. Chron., 1871, 906.

203. SOLENIDIUM, Lindley.

Only one species, wild on the Colombian Andes, and
allied to Oncidia.

294. Sophronitis, Lindley.

Four or five species, mostly from the Organ Mountains in
Brazil. They are showy little epiphytes, with scarlet,
butterfly-like flowers. S. coccinea and S. grandiflara
are very popular in gardens. See Lindl., Sert. Orch.,
t. 5, f. 2 ; Bot. Mag., t., 3677, 3709 ; Flor de Serres,
t. 1716.
-S. grandiflora, Gard. Chron., 1884, xxii., 561.

295. Spathoglottis, Blume.

Ten or more species, wild in India, South China,
Malaysia, Pacific Islands, and Australia. Terrestrial
herbs, often bearing showy flowers on erect spikes.
" Paxtonia " is a pelorioid form of this genus. See
Gard. Chron., 1882, xviii., 532.
*S. Lobbi, Gard. Chron., 1882, xviii., 532.

296. Spiranthes, L. C. Eichard.

About a hundred species, of world- wide distribution.
Few are showy, except one or two species of
Stenorhynchus. Spiranthes Romanzoviana ( = S. gem-
mipara), wild in the South of Ireland, is unknown
elsewhere in Europe, but extends from the Atlantic

184 REPORT ON THE

to the Pacific in North America. See Gard. Chron.,
1879, xiii., 107 ; Bot. Mag., t. 1568, 2026 (Neottia),
1562, 2730, 5277 ; Bot. Beg., t. 602, 794, 823, 1934.
*S. Bomazoviana, Gard. Chron., 1881, xvi., 465.

297. Stanhopea, Forst.

About twenty species known, from Tropical America,
Brazil, and Mexico. Strong-growing epiphytes,
bearing peculiar sweet-scented flowers, all showy.
They are well deserving of culture. The lip is
peculiar, and variable in formation in different species.
See Gard. Chron., 1879, xii., 107. The following
species are figured in Gard. Chron. : —

*S. ecornuta, 1850, 295.

*S. florida, 1881, xvi., 561, 565.

*S. guttulata, 1848, 439.

*S. serrata, 1850, 295.

*S. tricornis, 1850, 295. See Bot. Mag., 3350, 4197,
4885, 5278, 5289, 5300.

298. Stauropsis, Beichenbach f.

Eight or ten species, from the Malayan Archipelago and
(?) India. Generally included under Pkalaenopsis in
gardens. TricJioglottis pallens is sometimes met with
in cultivation, and is a good type species. See Lindl.,
Bot. Beg., 1846, t. 59 ; Bot. Mag., t. 5189.

299. Stelis, Swarz.

A hundred and fifty species are known in books,
some few being in cultivation. They are wild in
Tropical America, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, and the
West Indies. See Gard. Chron., 1879, xii., 107 ;
1881, xvi., 136'; Bot. Mag., t. 3975, 6521 ; Bot.
Beg., t. 935 ; Lodd., Bot. Cab., t. 442, 1011,
*S. Bruchrniilleri, Gard. Chron., 1881, xv., 136.

800. Stenia, Lindley.

Two species only known, one from Guiana, and the other
from Colombia. 8. Jimbriata is often grown in
gardens.

301. Stenoglossum, Hurnboldt, Bonpland, and Kiinth.

One species, from the Andes of Tropical America. Near
Epidendrum or Diothonea. See Gard. Chron., 1883,
xix., 700.

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 135

302. STENOGLOTTIS, Lindley.

One species, wild in Southern Africa.
STENORRHYNCHUS (see Spiranthes), Gard. Chron., 1879,
xii., 138.

303. STENOPTERA, Presl.

Three species, from the mountains of Tropical America
and the West Indies. Not showy.

304. STEREOSANDRA, Blume.

One species, wild hi Java.

305. Sunipia, Lindley.

One species, from the Himalayas and Bunnah. See
Gard. Chron., 1881, xvi., 463.

806. SUTRINA, Lindley.

One species, from Peru.

307. T^NIOPHYLLUM, Blume.

Six species, from India, Malaysia, Pacific Isles, and
Australia.

308. Tainia, Blume.

Six or seven species, from India, South China, and the
Malayan Archipelago. Allied to Eria. See Gard.
Chron., 1882, xviii., 780.

309. TELIPOGON, Hmnboldt, Bonpland, and Kiinth.

Forty or more species, from the Andes of South America.

310. TETRAHICRA, Lindley.

Six species, from Tropical America, Brazil, and the West
Indies. Leptotes is included here. See Bot. Mag.,
t. 3098 (Brassavola), 3734.

311. THECOSTELE, Eeicheubach f.

Only one species, from Malacca and the Malayan Archi-
pelago. Somewhat approaching the American
Stanhopeas.

312. THELASIS, Blume.

Eight species, from India, China, and the Malayan
Archipelago. Not showy.

313. Thelymitra, Forst.

Twenty species, from Australia, New Zealand, New

Caledonia, and Malaysia.
THUNIA (see Phaius), Orchid Album, t. 67, 130.

136 REPORT ON THE

314. TIPULARIA, Nuttall.

Two species, from North America and the Himalayan
range. Near Oreorchis and Corallorhiza.

315. Trias, Lindley.

Three species, from India, wild in Moulmein, and
approaching Bulbophylls. See Gard. Chron., 1882,
xviii., 426.

316. Triehoeentnim, Poeppig and Endlicher.

Eight species, from Tropical America, Brazil, and Central
America. See Gard. Chron., 1879, xii., 139 ; Bot.
Mag., t. 3969, 5688.

*T. albo-purpureum, Gard. Chron., 1866, 219.

*T. Pfavii, Gard. Chron., 1882, xvii., 117.

317. TRICHOCEROS, Humboldt, Bonpland, and Kiinth.

Six or eight species, from Peru and Colombia.

318. Trichoglottis, Blume.

Four or five species, from Malaysia ; approaching Sar-
cochilus.

319. Trichopilia, Lindley.

Sixteen or more species, from Colombia, and Central
America, and Mexico. Helcia and Pilunma are now
placed here. Several species are grown in gardens.
See Orchid Album, t. 14 ; Gard. Chron., 1879, xii.,
139 ; Bot. Mag., t. 3739, 4654, 4857, 5035 (Pilumna),
5550, 5949.

320. Trichosma, Lindley.

One species, wild on the Khasia Hills, related to Eria, with
the habit of Coelogyne. See Orchid Album, t. 113 ;
Gard. Chron., 1882, xviii., 812.

321. Trigonidium, Lindley.

Seven or eight species, from Tropical and Central America,
Brazil, &c. See Gard. Chron., 1879, xii., 139.

322. Trizeuxis, Lindley.

One species, from the Colombian Andes. See Gard.
Chron., 1879, xii., 139.

323. TROPIDIA, Lindley,

Five or more species, from India, Malaysia, and the
Pacific Islands.

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 137*

324. UNCIFERA, Lindley.

Two species, wild on the Khasia Hills, and resembling
Saccolabium.

325. Vanda, K. Brown.

Twenty species and numerous varieties, from India,
Malayan Archipelago, and Tropical Australia. Vanda
suai-is and T7. tricolor are well-known favourites,
varying greatly. V. teres and V. Hookeri are lovely
representatives of the terete-leaved group. V. San-
deriana is one of the finest species. See Orchid
Album, t. 15, 48, 59, 61, 73, 77, 124, 168, 172, 180 ;
Bot. Mag., t. 2245, 3416, 4114, 4432, 5174, 5611,
5759, 5811, 5834, 6173, 6328. The foUowing species
are figured in Gard. Chrou. : —

*V. Benson^, 1867, 180.

*V. Cathcartii, 1870, 1409.

*V. ccerulescens, 1873, 529.

*V. fuscoviridis, 1848, 351.

*V. lamellata Boxalli, 1881, xv., 87.

*V. Sanderiana, 1883, xx., 440, 441.

*V. suavis, 1872, 974.

*V. suavis, Wingate's var., 1884, xxiiv 237.

*V. teres, 1883, xx., 273.

*V. tricolor Patersoni, 1884, xxii., 236.

326. Vanilla, Swarz.

Twenty or more species, of world-wide distribution in
tropical countries, and remarkable as affording
delicious flavouring principle from their fruits. See
Gard. Chron., 1879, xii., 139.
"Vanilla, fertilisation of, Gard. Chron., 1867, 997.

327. VRYDAGZENIA, Blume.

Eight species, from the Malayan Archipelago, and the
Pacific Islands. Near Heta3ria or Aiia3ctochilus.

328. Warrea, Lindley.

Two species, from Colombia and Peru. See Bot. Mag., t.

4235 (Maxillaria), Loddiges, Botanical Cabinet, t.

1884 (Maxillaria).
WARSCEWICZELLA (see Zygopetalum), Orchid Album 1. 126.

138 REPORT ON THE ORCHID CONFERENCES

329. WULLSCHL^GELIA, Eeiclieiibach f.

Two species, from the West Indies and North Brazil.
Near Cranichis.

330. XYLOBIUM, Lindley.

Sixteen species, from Tropical America, resembling
Maxillaria. See Bot. Mag., t. 2806, 2955, 2981.

831. YOANIA, Maximo wicz.

One species, wild in Japan, resembling Epipogum.

332. ZEUXINE, Lindley.

Sixteen, from India, Malaysia, and Tropical Africa. Not
showy.

330. Zygopetalum, Hooker.

Forty species, from the warm parts of South and Central
America, Brazil, and the West Indies. Huntleya,
Bollaea, Warscewiczella, and Promenaea are now
included in this genus. See Orchid Album, t. 28,
50, 78, 87, 142 ; Gard. Chron., 1879, xii., 139 ; Bot.
Mag., t. 2748, 2819, 3402, 3585, 3674, 3686, 4766,
4830 (Warrea), 5046, 5567, 5582, 5598 (Huntleya),
6003, 6331, 6458.
*Z. aromaticum, Gard. Chron., 1868, 75.

334. ZYGOSTATES, Lindley.

Three or four species, from Brazil ; approaching the genus
Ornithocephalus. Not showy.

REPORT

ON THE

PLANTS EXHIBITED.

n.

BOTANICAL.

FROM a botanical point of view, this exhibition, one of the largest
and most varied yet made, was of very considerable interest,
for though certain very popular cultural genera — e.g., Odonto-
glossum, Cattleya, and Cypripedium — formed the bulk and most
conspicuous portion of the show, yet there were a number of
smaller and less striking plants shown which possessed an almost
strictly botanical interest. These were chiefly shown by the
amateurs, the dealers devoting themselves rather to the more
showy genera and hybrids. Several of the genera well known in
cultivation were hardly or not at all represented in the exhibition,
owing to their not flowering at that time, and the ornamental -
foliaged plants belonging to the group Xeottiea were conspicuous
by their absence. In spite of this, however, there were examples
of no less than sixty-one genera.

The majority of these were epiphytes, the terrestrials being
usually more difficult of cultivation, and as a rule less showy.

The greatest number were natives of tropical South
America, but species from most other parts of the world were
there. The proportions are represented by the following order :
South America (including Mexico), East India, Malaya (including
Philippine Islands), Indian Peninsula, Australia, China and Japan,
Europe, North America, Africa, Madagascar.

The Lido-Malayan region would doubtless have been more
strongly represented, had not several of the most important
genera been almost out of season, such were Dendrobiurn,
Coalogyne and Phalaenopsis.

140 REPORT ON THfi

EPIDENDRE.E.

This section formed a very large portion of the show, and
perhaps the most conspicuous part of it. Among the plants of
chiefly botanical interest was Stelis muscifera (Lindley), rather
a pretty little plant for the genus, with dark red leaves and spikes
of very small dull red flowers. It came from the Eoyal Gardens
at Kew, together with its ally, Physosiphon Loddigesii (Lindley),
a curious little plant with long slender spikes of very small pale
orange flowers, the sepals of which form at the base a short tube,
the points spreading in a starlike manner The tube contains
and conceals the rest of the flower, after the manner of a
Masdevallia, between which genus and Pleurothallis this
plant seems to be a connecting link. The flowers of the
specimen exhibited were of a paler colour than usual. Fine
plants of the strange Restrepia antennifera (Lindley) were shown
by Mr. Brymer and Mr. Southgate.

The ever-popular genus Masdevallia was exceedingly well
represented ; all sections of the genus were shown, and almost all
the exhibitors showed some species, the series shown by Sir
Trevor Lawrence attracting universal admiration. The chimara
section was illustrated by M. Eoezlii (Kchb. f.), chimara (Kchb. f.),
and Backhousiana (Kchb. f.), three very closely-allied plants, if
indeed they are not varieties of one species ; and there were also
plants of M. Benedicti (Echb. f.), some splendid specimens of
Veitchiana (Kchb. f.), and Lindenii (Andre), with its variety or
subspecies Harry ana, and there were plenty of plants of the
smaller flowered M. ignea (Kchb. f.), with the varieties auran-
tiaca, cocdnea, &c.

Other species exhibited were M. ShuttlewortJdi (Kchb. f.),
and the pale variety xantJwcorys, ludibunda (Rchb. f.), Eeichen-
bachiana (Endr.), psittadna (Kchb. f.), trochilus (Kchb. f.), and
a fine plant of Schlimii, with four flower spikes, drills (Kchb. f.),
HoutteanOrj of which a beautiful plant with numerous flowers was
shown by Messrs. Vervaet, Fraseri (Kchb. f.), andracewwsrt (Kchb. f.),
which latter, however, was hardly in bloom. There were also a
considerable number of hybrids.

Among the small-flowered species the most curious were
M. Arminii, shown by Sir T. Lawrence, M. Estrada, triancjularis,
simula and tridactylites, with small brown flowers set singly on
very slender wire-like stems, so as to vibrate with every breath

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 141

of wind. It belongs to the triaristella group, remarkable for
the tails being inserted below the apex of the sepals, and not
a continuation of them. It was shown by Mr. Courtauld.
M. ochtJwdes (Rchb. f.), with spikes of small yellow flowers, came
from Kew Gardens.

The Dendrobia were not so well represented as might have
been expected. This was owing, doubtless, to their earlier
flowering period, many species being out of bloom. There were,
however, a good number shown, including many interesting
plants and some remarkably fine specimens of well-known
species, among which would be noted the plants of D. nobile,
shown by the Duke of Devonshire and Mr. Prinseps.

Of the yellow-flowered species, the most interesting were
D. demiflorum, Jenkinsii, chrysotoxum, D. ochreatum (Cainbridge-
anuni) and Jenkinsii, and D. Harveyanum, shown by Sir Trevor
Lawrence, remarkable for the petals being decorated with fringes,
while the edge of the lip is almost, and those of the sepals quite,
entire. D. Brymerianum, in which the fimbriation of the lip is
carried to its greatest development, was shown by E. Harvey
and J. Southgate. D. cruentum has very remarkable greenish-
yellow flowers, streaked with red. It belongs to the nigro-
liirsute section, and was shown by B. D. Knox, of Caversham,
and by R. Whyte, of Lee. To the same section belongs
D. Jameswmtm, a fine plant of which was sent by H. Low, who
also sent a specimen of D. Lowii, with its singular yellow and
red flowers, with a bearded lip prolonged at the base, so as to
form with the foot of the column a kind of spur. It is most
nearly allied to D. cruentum. Specimens also were shown of
Falconeri, and its variety Wardianum, Bensonice, Devonianum,
Parishii, lituiflorum and crassinode, and rhodopterygium. D. albo-
wni'iuineum, with its large fawn-coloured flowers with crimson
blotches in the throat, was shown by J. C. Duke. There
were also plants of D. Dalhousieanum, and mperbum vars anosmum
and Dearei, the latter, a beautiful white-flowered plant, shown
by Baron Schroder.

Sir Trevor Lawrence showed also specimens of two very
interesting Australian species, but rarely seen in collections,
viz., D. SmillicE (F. Muell), one of the dendrocoryne section, with
a large tuft of small rosy flowers with a green lip, borne at the
end of a large pseudo-bulb (it has been figured in Fitzgerald's
Australian Orchids), and D. tetragonum, first found by Allan

142 BEPOKT ON THE

Cunningham. This plant is remarkable for its four-angled
pseudo-bulbs, and its starlike, whitish flower, with narrow,
acuminate petals and sepals, very unlike those of any other
species but those of D. amboinense (Hook). The unusual form of
the flower suggests a mimicry of the Spider Orchids of Australia,
Caladenia Patersonii, &c.

A beautiful pan of D. Fytchianum from Southern India was
shown by B. Ewing, of Oheshunt, with thirty leafless pseudo-
bulbs, thickly covered at the summits with the delicate white
flowers. One hybrid dendrobium only was shown, viz.,
D. rkodostoma, a cross between D. sanguinolentum and Huttonii.
Specimens were exhibited by J. Cypher and Sir Trevor Lawrence.

Bulbophylla, as a rule, are not popular plants, owing to the
small size of their flowers ; but specimens of the large-flowered
section, Sarcopodium, were shown. Sir Trevor Lawrence
brought B. siamense and Dearei, which latter was also shown by
C. L. Ingram, and from the Duke of Devonshire came B. Loblii.

Perhaps the most curious plant in the exhibition was
Megaclinium oxypterum (Lindley), the only species shown from the
Edinburgh Botanic Gardens. The genus is allied to Bulbo-
phyllum, especially to the clavatum section, having, like the
species of that section, the rachis dilated into a swollen mass in
which the flowers seem imbedded. In the Megaclinium the
rachis is flattened, with wavy edges, curiously marbled with
purple, about three inches long and nearly one in diameter. On
each side of it is a row of small dull-coloured flowers. It is a
native of Western Tropical Africa, and was one of the very few
species shown from that continent.

From Kew Gardens came Cirrhopetalum fimbriatiun, the only
representative of that curious but not showy genus. It bore
several umbels of small dull-coloured flowers, arising on slender
peduncles from the bases of the leafless pseudo-bulbs ; and the
same establishment sent a plant of Panisea unijiora, a humble,
inconspicuous species, with solitary dull ochreous flowers, a
native of the Himalayas, perhaps more correctly referred to the
genus Coslogyne. The large genus, Eria, was illustrated by one
species, and that not a conspicuous one, viz., E. excavata. It
was sent frow Kew.

Ccelia Baueriana is a curious West Indian plant, with short,
compact spikes of small white flowers beautifully scented, and
overtopped by the rather thin, long and narrow leaves. There

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 143

are but few species in the genus, and this is by no means the
finest. It came from Kew Gardens.

Blume's genus, Dendrochilum, has been separated by Mr.
Bentham in the " Genera Plantarum " into Dendrochilum and
Platyclinis, which latter genus he refers to the neighbourhood of
Liparis, from which genus it is abundantly distinct. To it
belong the dendrochilums of cultivators, such as D. glumaceum
and Cobbii. Cut spikes of the former were shown by Dr.
Paterson with other cut flowers of Orchids.

The true Phaii, with leafless flower stems, were but poorly
represented, P. Wallichii (Lindley) being the only one shown.
We regretted not to see P. tuberculosus (Blume), which has been
so successfully flowered this year by several of our best culti-
vators, for it is without exception the noblest of all terrestrial
Orchids in cultivation at present, though also, alas ! very difficult
to deal with.

The genus Thunia has been reduced by Mr. Bentham to a
section of Phaius ; the habit, however, is so different that it
would seem better to keep it as a distinct genus. It is said also
that the thunias will not hybridize with the phaii, this, if put
beyond doubt, would be additional evidence against the close
alliance of the two genera. Two species were shown, T. Jlarshal-
Uanci and T. alba (Lindley), both closely -allied plants.

Bletia hyadntldna (Brown) was the only Japanese Orchid in
the show. It was exhibited by Sir Trevor Lawrence, and is
especially interesting as being the only Asiatic species of the
genus, which is otherwise confined to America. It thus
furnishes another example of the connection of the floras of
North America and Eastern Asia.

There were several representatives of the small genus Chysis.
Mr. Cobb, of Silverdale Lodge, Sydenhani, showed C. Limminghei
and a fine plant of Chysis bractescens with three flower spikes.
The latter species was also exhibited by Mr. C. N. Wyatt, of
Cheltenham. Messrs. Veitch showed, in a collection of hybrids,
C. Chelsoni, a hybrid between C. bractescens and C. aurea, and C.
Sedeni, between C. bractescens and C. Limminghei.

The genus Acanthephippium is rarely seen in collections,
doubtless on account of its impatience of cultivation. It is a
close ally of the preceding genus, as is evidenced not only by its
structure but also by the fact that it is has been successfully
hybridized with it. A. Ucolor (Lindley), a native of Southern

144 REPORT ON THE

India, was shown by Sir Trevor Lawrence ; the flowers are rather
large and fleshy, pink, white and yellow in colour.

The Coelogynes were but poorly represented, owing to the
lateness of the season, many of them, especially those of the
pleione section being winter-flowering plants. There were,
however, plants of C. ms to to (Lindley ),m£wfo,oc<?£toi, and ochracea,
and cut spikes of C. elata were shown by J. Southgate ; but the
most interesting species was the rare C. Parishii (Echb. f.), with
its green flowers spotted with black, shown by Mr. J. C. Duke.

Of the genus Calanthe but few kinds were shown. C. veratrifolia
(K. Br.), the most widely distributed of the genus, ranging from
Southern India to Australia, was shown by Mr. Brymer.
C. Dominii, hybrid between C. furcata and C. masucci, was
exhibited by Mr. Cortauld.

Mr. Lee showed fine plants of C. vestita var. igneo oculata
gigantea, and Mr. B. S. Williams brought C. Sanderiana
(Kchb. f.), the finest perhaps of the vestita section. It seems
strange that so few species of this beautiful genus have found
favour with cultivators. There are a number of Malayan and
North Indian species of great beauty which are never seen now
in collections.

Among the Epidendrese proper, Diacrium (Epidendrum)
tricomutum (Benth.) was sent from Kew Gardens. The genus
was originally made as a section of Epidendrum by Lindley, but
was raised to the rank of a genus by Bentham in the ** Genera
Plantarum," on account of its two-horned lip being free from the
column. The habit, too, is very different, and the flowers large
and showy.

The true epidendrums are by no means popular among
cultivators, and indeed the genus contains a very large propor-
tion of plants with small and dull- coloured flowers. Still a
considerable number of species have been in cultivation, but few
have attracted much attention. A small number were shown,
including E. ibaguense (Lindley), E. rliizoplwrum (Lindley),
E. raniferum (Lindley), and cut spikes of E. erectum, shown by
Dr. Paterson.

There was also a plant of E. falcatum (ParJdnsonianum)
shown by the Duke of Devonshire. This species is a near ally
of E. ciliare, having like that plant large pale yellow or white
flowers with a broad three-lobed lip, but it is especially interest-
ing from its fleshy curved, almost cylindrical-grooved, leaves,
recalling somewhat those of Tetramicra tricolor.

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 145

The Barkerias have been reduced by Mr. Bentham to a
section of Epidendrum. They seem, however, to possess
sufficiently distinctive characters to be kept separate. Most of
the species have beea in cultivation, but none were shown at the
exhibition.

The Cattleyas were very extensively represented, as would
naturally be imagined, and included, besides, a very large number
of plants of labiate section, several of a more distinctly botanical
interest. Among the latter were C. .For&m^Lindley), shown by
Sander, C. Acklandite (Lindley) and elatior var.Leopoldi, brought by
H. Low, and C. titrina (Lindley), of which several plants were
shown. This is probably the most northern species of Cattleya,
and is unique in the genus for its oval pseudo-bulbs, glaucous
leaves, and pendant half-opened flower. There were also several
splendid plants of C. Skinneri, perfect masses of flowers.

The highly polymorphic C. labiate was represented by
numberless forms, bearing as many names, and most of the well-
known varieties were shown, the most striking of which was the
fine white variety Watfeneri, shown by Mr. Sander, who obtained
a first-class certificate for it.

The whole genus was at one time referred by Professor
Reichenbach to the genus Epidendrum, and indeed there are
connecting links in the form of such plants as E. Boothianum
(Lindley). Mr. Bentham has, however, kept the genus distinct, on
account of the free lip embracing the column. The relations of
the Cattleyas with the Lselias is also of some interest. Hitherto the
number of pollmia, eight in Laelia, four in Cattleya, have been con-
sidered as sufficient to keep the two apart. In view, however, of
the remarkable facts set forth in Mr. Veitch's paper on hybridiza-
tion, it may well be doubted whether this view is the correct one,
as the two genera seem to cross, in some instances at least, very
readily. One of those hybrids is Lalia bella (C. labiate x
L. purpurata), a plant of great beauty, shown by Baron Schroder.

The Laelias were of course as well represented as the Cattleyas,
and included L. purpurata, Schroederi elegans, with the variety
Schilleriana ; lobata, shown by Sir Trevor Lawrence, tandatthtmnaKs,
while L. xanthina and cmnabarina, shown by J. Southgate,
represented the orange -flowered section.

The finest species of the small genus Tetramicra or Leptotes,
T. bicolor, a well-known plant, with its curious fleshy terete

K

146 BEPOKT ON THE

leaves and pink and white flowers, was brought by several
exhibitors.

Schomburgkia is a fine genus which was not at all represented
It seems strange that such showy plants as some of the species
are should be so unpopular. Sophronitis was out of flower, but
a plant in fruit was shown by Mr. Veitch in the collection of
fruiting Orchids. It will be referred to further on.

VANDE^E.

The few Cymbidiums that are in cultivation were in many
cases out of flower, but several species were shown, of which
C. Lowii was most conspicuous, several splendid plants being
exhibited. C. Devonianum (Lindley) was shown by Mr. Lee,
and cut spikes of 0. ebwneum (Lindley ) and C. sinense (Willd.)
were sent by Dr. Paterson.

The last-named exhibitor sent also sprays of Ansellia Africana
(Kchb. f.j, one of the few African Orchids shown. A species of
Grammatophyllum, which appears to be undescribed, was exhibited
by the Plant and Bulb Company. It bore a loose raceme of
rather large green flowers with brown spots, somewhat like those
of G. midtiflorwtn.

The Polystachyas are not as a rule remarkable for showiness,
and have been but rarely introduced into cultivation. One
species, undoubtedly the finest of the genus, viz., P. jmbescens, a
native of Africa, was sent from Kew Gardens, where it has
flowered for several years. The flowers are larger than in most
species, of a bright yellow, and marked with brown streaks
The genus is an interesting one in many ways. In the first
place, it is one of the few epiphytic genera which extend to both
hemispheres ; and, indeed, some of the South American species
are closely allied to Madagascar and Indian ones. The structure
of the flowers, too, is very curious. In the bud the lip is covered
with short hairs, which, when the flower is open, break off and
form a loose, powdery mass on the lip. That these bear some
relation to fertilization by insect agency seems highly probable,
but in what way is less easy to discover, as the flowers are
reversed, or, to be more correct, are right way up, which is
rarely the case in Orchids, so that the face of the lip looks
towards the ground, the result of which is, that when the
flower opens, most of the powdery mass of hair must fall to the
ground.

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 147

The genus Eriopsis consists of three or four South American
species, rarely seen in cultivation. E. biloba was shown by
Mr. Koberts, of Gunnersbury Park. It bore two erect spikes of
the curious pendant flowers, buff-coloured, with darker edges to
the sepals and petals.

Two or three species of Anguloa were shown, including
A. Clowesii (Lindley), with four of its strongly-perfumed flowers,
exhibited by Sir Trevor Lawrence, and A. uniflora rar.
rnaculata, by the Duke of Devonshire. There was also a plant
of what seemed a new species, shown by Baron Schroder. It
had a single white flower tinted with rose, and an orange lip
with a thick callus in the centre.

The curious brown-flowered Houlletia odoratissima (Lindley)
was shown by Sir Trevor Lawrence, who also brought one of the
two known species of Scuticaria, viz., S. Hadu-eni. This Brazilian
plant was formerly referred to the genus Bifrenaria, but from
its habit and almost cylindrical leaves, it is evidently more
closely allied to the Guiana species, S. SteeUi.

Of the true Maxillarias, several were shown, including
3L Turnerii, by J. Southgate, M. luteo-alba and triangularis from
Kew Gardens. There was also a spray of M. aurea rar. flava
among the cut flowers shown by Dr. Paterson. In quite a
different style was M. Sanderiana (Kchb. f.), exhibited by Baron
Schroder. This species bears some resemblance to Li/caste
Skinncri, with large whitish flowers spotted with purple. It
obtained a first -class certificate.

Perhaps one of the most striking Orchids in the show was
a fine plant of Luddemannia Lehmanni, shown by Sir Trevor
Lawrence, with two long pendant spikes of closely-packed
yellow-brown flowers. The- genus is an exceptionally interesting
one, on account of its relation with Acineta, as is set forth in a
note communicated at the Conference by Professor Eeicheiibach.
Bifrenaria was represented by the well-known B. Harrisonia
(Rchb. f. ), often called ILnillaria Harrisonia. Plants were
shown by Mr. Brymer.

Colaxjugosus (Lindley) was exhibited by the Duke of Devon-
shire. This beautiful and uncommon plant has been placed
with the only other species of the genus under Lycaste by the
authors of the '* Genera Plantarum." Professor Eeichenbach in
the " Xenia Orchidacea " keeps it distinct, considering it related
to Zygopetalum. The species shown, with its beautiful white
flowers marked with purple, is far the finest of the two.

148 REPORT ON THE

Trichopilia is a small genus of which almost, if not all, the
species have been in cultivation in England or on the Continent.
Three species were shown, viz., T. coccinea and T. tortilis and T.
crispa. Of the Rodriguezias or Burlingtonias, but few are showy
enough to be deemed worthy of cultivation ; cut sprays of one of
the best species, B. frayrans, were shown by Messrs. Ireland and
Thomson.

The genus Cochlioda has been aptly described by Mr. Bentham
as having the flowers of an Epidendrum with the pollinia of one
of the Vandeae, and the species which he includes in it have been
variously ranked as Odontoglossums and Mesospinidiums. Three
species were shown, C. sanguinea (Benth.), from B. S. Williams ;
C. rosea (Benth.), shown by Sir Trevor Lawrence ; and C. culcuni-
cum, cut spikes of which were brought by Dr. Paterson.

The true Zygopetala are distinguished from the other species
referred to, the genus by Mr. Bentham by their tall, many-
flowered spike. Several examples were shown, including Z. Mac-
kayi (Lindley), Z. maxiUare (Lindley), and the hybrid between
these two species, Z. Sedeni (Rchb. f.).

The section Warscewiczelki was represented by TF. celata
(Rchb. f.), a plant of which, shown by Sander, bore numerous
beautiful violet blooms. The larger-flowered Pescatoreas are
referred by the authors of " Genera Plantarum " to the same
section. P. Lehmanni was shown by J. Southgate, and a flower
of P. Gairiana, was shown by Messrs. Yeitch.

The Promeneas, including Kiefersteinia, form a section charac-
terised chiefly by their smaller size. P. citrina (Lindley), with
bright yellow flowers, was shown by Baron Schoder ; and Kiefersteinia
yraminea (Rchb. f.), with curious green flowers with red spots,
was exhibited by Sir Trevor Lawrence. Three species of the
section Bollea, including B. Patini and Lalindei, not yet in
flower, were shown by Mons. Vervaert, of Ghent. Ly caste Skin-
neri (Lindley) was shown in plenty and in every variety, the
white and rose colour of the flowers being very variously dis-
tributed in the different forms. A beautiful series was shown by
Mr. H. Little. More interesting, botanically, was L. Latcrenceana
(Rchb. f.), shown by Sir Trevor Lawrence, with green mottled
petals and sepals, and a fawn-coloured lip with a white edge.

The genus Acineta was represented by A. Humbuhltii, shown
by the Duke of Devonshire.

The Odontoglossums vied with the Cattleyas in obtrusiveness

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 149

at the show. All sections were represented, and the number
of specimens of some of the species shown was very large. Of
these none were more extensively exhibited than 0. cri-sjjum
(Lindley;, alias 0. Alexandra, Bluntii, &c. This ever-popular
plant was to be seen with every variety of colouring and under
innumerable names, and afford an excellent example of the
difficulties of a systematic botanist in dealing with an easily-
grown and variable plant, the syiionoiny of which is already
very extensive and is still on the increase. No genus requires
more revision than this one. At present it is credited with up-
wards of one hundred species, many of which are probably
mere cultural varieties, or natural hybrids. 0. Pescatorei
(Lindley), a near relative of 0. crisjntm, was also extensively
exhibited, and is equally overloaded with nomenclature. Even
more critical are the brown and yellow-flowered section, cf
which 0. triumpham (Echb. f.), Hallii (Lindley), and helraicum
may be taken as types. Very many of these were shown, form-
ing a bewildering study to the systematic botanist. Among the
rarer and more interesting species were O. jjuleJieUutn, lave
curonarium, and facetum, shown by Sir Trevor Lawrence,
O. Oerstedil (Liudley), and Cercantesii (Lindley), by J. Southgate ;
and there were plenty of specimens of 0. Russii and citrosmum,
and the acuminate-petalled 0. yloriosum, nacum, and eirrhosiun.
There were no Miltonias shown, but the connecting links
between that genus and Odoiitoglossurn, in the shape of the
broad-flowered odontoglots, O. willarium and its allies, were
very plentifully exhibited.

The Oncidia were almost if not quite as numerous as the
Odontoglossa. Of the cyrtochilum section were shown 0. Kienas-
tiamun (Rchb. f.) by Rev. J. B. Norman, superbiens (Lindley) by
J. Southgate, serratum (Lindley) and macranthum by Mr. Cor-
tauld, and several other species. The terete-leaved section was
represented by 0. juncifolium, referred by Dr. Lindley to a
variety of 0. cebolleta (Swarz), one of the most widely dis-
tributed of Oncidia. It was shown by Sir Trevor Lawrence,
who also sent 0. bifolium (Lindley). Other interesting species
were 0. Eduardsii (Rhcb. f.), of which several plants were
shown with large panicles of the small purple flowers ; O. pul-
chellum (Lindley), with small white and rose-coloured flowers,
was shown by Sir Trevor Lawrence and Baron Schroder ;
0. concolor (Lindley), Marshallianum, sphacelatum, and cucullatum

150 REPORT ON THE

were also exhibited. Perhaps the most aberrant species of the
genus is 0. papilio (Lindley), of which two or three plants were
shown. It is a variable plant, and more than one variety has
received a distinct specific name. Apart from the unique form
of the flower, it is very interesting on account of its mimicry
of a butterfly, such as one of the heliconii of its native forest.
Unlike most species in the genus the flowers are solitary, which
adds to the illusion. The only parallel instance of real mimicry of
an insect known to me is in the well-known genus Ophrys. In
both cases the resemblance is more suggestive than exact.

The beautiful monotypic Ada aurantiaca (Lindley) was
represented by several well-flowered plants and cut spikes.

The Brassias were not at their best, but specimens of three or
four kinds were shown, including sprays of B. rernicosa (Lindley)
from Messrs. Ireland and Wilson, B. Lawrenceana (Lindley), by
Dr. Paterson, and a plant of B. Eeiliana, one of the finest
species, was shown by Mr. Smee, as one of a group of plants
which had been grown for nearly four months, from July to
October, 1884, in the open air without detriment. Like the rest
of the group, which comprised Odontoylossum crispum and
Rossii, it appeared quite strong and healthy.

The beautiful and delicate lonopsis utncularioides (Lindley)
was shown by Sir Trevor Lawrence and by the Plant and Bulb
Company. Phalamopsis was rather past its prime, but several
interesting plants were exhibited, including the rare P. tetmspis
(Rchb. f.), from the Himalayas, shown by Mr. Cobb ; P. Parishli
(Echb. f.), a very beautiful miniature species with small rose
and white flowers, few leaves and remarkably broad flat green
roots, came from Kew Gardens. P. Luddemanniana was shown
by Mr. Brymer.

A plant of Eenantkera coccinea (Lindley) was exhibited by the
Duke of Devonshire, but it was not yet in flower.

Sarcochilus Hartmanni (Fitzg.) was one of the few Australian
Orchids shown. It is and was the sole representative of the
genus, unless we follow Mr. Bentham and include in it the
beautiful Camarotis purpurea (Lindley), of which a fine plant was
shown by Sir Trevor Lawrence.

There were several species of the beautiful genus Aerides,
including A. Veitchii, Lobbii, and Houlletianum, shown by Sir
Trevor Lawrence, the latter also by Mr. Lee, and sprays of
A. roseum, rubrum, and Fieldingii, were among the cut flowers of

ORCHID CONFERENCE.

151

Dr. Paterson, and A. Warneri among those of Messrs. Ireland
and Thomson.

The allied genus Saccolabium was also well represented.
Plants of S. ampidlaceum (Lindley) were shown by Sir Trevor
Lawrence, J. Southgate and Mr. Brymer. The latter showed
also S. retusum (Lindley). S. yemmatum (Rchb. f.), a narrow-
leaved plant with slender spikes of very small rose-coloured
flowers, was sent from Kew Gardens. S. pramorsum (Lindley)
was shown by Mr. Cypher.

The genus Cleisostoma consists for the most part of some-
what insignificant looking plants. One species, C. crassifolium,
was exhibited by Sir Trevor Lawrence.

The Vandas were not numerous as regards specimens, but
several species were shown, including, V. suavis, insiynis, and
tricolor, ]'. ctvnilcscem, shown by B. S. Williams and Baron
Schroder, and belonging to the same section ; the curious white-
flowered V. Denisoniana was represented by several specimens.
Two plants of V. teres (Lindley) were shown by Sir Trevor
Lawrence and Mr. Brymer.

The large genus Angraecum was but poorly represented.
Probably there is not sufficient variety in the species to make
them welcome to the cultivator, for although at one time or
another a considerable number of kinds have been introduced,
but few are able to hold their own against the more showy ycnrnt.
It is true, moreover, that most of the early species were out of
bloom, and the later ones, such as A. Ellisii (Echb. f.), were not
yet in flower, the result of which was that the only species
shown was A. sesquipedale (Thouars), flowers of which were shown
by Dr. Paterson.

NEOTTIE.E.

But few plants of this section of Orchids have been in
cultivation, and fewer still are popular in these days, when
brilliant and large flowers are the prevailing fashion. The group
contains, however, a number of beautiful foliage plants, such as
the Anaectochili and Dossinia. These were entirely absent from
the exhibition, perhaps because on account of the difficulties
attending their cultivation they have been supplanted by easier
grown foliage plants of other orders. The genus Sobralia is
almost the only other popular one of the section. It was, how-
ever, hardly in bloom at the time of the exhibition, and so was

152 REPOET ON THE

not represented. Specimens of two genera were shown, viz.,
Ponthieva and Vanilla ; fruits, leaves and flowers of the latter were
exhibited by Mr. Cookson among the fruiting Orchids. The pods
were large, and of a fine dark brown or chocolate colour and
deliciously scented. A plant of Ponthieva maculata (Lindley) was
sent from Kew Gardens, where it has been cultivated for some
years. This is the showiest of the genus, and is remarkable for
being probably the hairiest plant of the order.

OPHRYDEJE

Is another unpopular section, for which also the season was
rather too early. Four genera, however, were represented. Lady
Howard de Walden, of Mote Park, Maidstone, exhibited several
species of Serapias from Italy, including 5. lingua (Lindley) and
cnrdigera (Lindley), and a plant of £. parviflora (Parl.) was sent
from Kew. The above-mentioned lady showed also Ophrys Ber-
tolonii, one of the most beautiful and curious of the Insect
Orchids. These plants had flowered for two years in succession,
but, perhaps owing to the colder and duller climate of England,
the flowers of the Serapias were rather pale in colour. From
Mr. Ware, of Tottenham, came Orchis papilionacea (Lindley), a
beautiful and interesting South European plant, which forms a
connecting link between the genera Orchis and Serapias, having
indeed been successfully hybridized with the latter genus.

Two or three plants of the largest flowered of all Ophrydeae,
Disa grandiflora (Lindley), were exhibited, but not in flower.

CYPRIPEDE.E.

\ There are few genera more popular than Cypripedium and
Selenipedium, almost all the species known having been in
cultivation at one time or another, and most at the present day.

The cypripediums proper are most naturally divided into
those of temperate and those of tropical regions. The former
are easily recognized by their leafy stems, the latter having a
rosette of leaves from which arises a naked scape bearing usually
a single flower.

Of the temperate species, Messrs. Paul and Son showed
C. jmbescem (Lindley), a North American species resembling,
but rather inferior in colouring to, our British species C. calceolus
(Lindley), which was shown by Mr. Ware, together with C.
parviflorus (Lindley), also a North American plant.

ORCHID CONFERENCE. 153

The tropical species were, however, the most extensively
shown, upwards of twenty species and numerous hybrids being
exhibited. The most highly admired was the new C. Godefroyce
(Rchb. f.), a beautiful plant, allied to C. niveum (Lindley), but
with a larger and broader flower, white spotted with purple.
It is a native of Cochin China, and was exhibited by Baron
Schroder and Mr. Lee. Both its allies, C. niveum (Lindley)
and concolor (Hook), were also shown. C. Druryi (Beddome),
with its curious yellow flowers, is interesting, as being one
of the most western of the Old World tropical species, being
a native of Southern India. Another Indian species is the
well-known C. insiyne (Wall.), of which numerous specimens
and varieties were shown. Other species were C. Dayanum
(Kchb. f.), ciliolare, shown by Sir Trevor Lawrence and Mr. Low;
Hookeri, Loicii, hcviyatum and its ally Stonei, with the curious
variety platyt<rniumt shown by Mr. W. Lee ; C. Argus, from Mr.
Williams ; C. Parishii, from the Plant and Bulb Company ; and
several other well-known plants and many hybrid forms, of
which the best series were those shown under the class for
hybrid Orchids, by Messrs. Veitch.

Of the South American genus Selempedium, there were
shown numerous specimens of S. caudatum (Rchb. f.) and its
variety roseum, S. longifolium (Rchb. f.), and Schlimii (Rchb. f.),
and, most curious of all, Uropedium Lindeni, which it seems hardly
possible to doubt is a persistent monstrosity of S. caudatum.
The reduction of the lip to a petal-like organ is not a very un-
common malformation in Orchideae, occurring at times all through
the family, and it seems in some instances to be persistent — e.g.,
in Paxtonia rosea (Lindley), a monstrosity of a species of Spatho-
glottis, and in the Uropedium.

There were a few special exhibitions which call for some
remarks. A number of drawings in water colours and oils, and
a few photographs, by various artists, were shown, mostly
representing, however, common or well-known plants. The best
were by Miss Woolward, and included the picture of an
apparently new species of Masdevallia, belonging to the unequal-
petalled section, but with small flowers. Mr. Smee showed a
series of Orchids which had been exposed to the open air for
four months in the autumn, apparently without injury. Among
them was Dt-ndrobium Devonianum with a pseudo-bulb six feet and
a-half in length. When it is remembered that several of the

L

154 REPORT ON THE

Odontoglossa ascend the Andes almost to the snow line, and
that the little Epidendrum conopseum can endure the cold
winters of Georgia and Louisiana, we may yet hope in time to
obtain epiphytic Orchids which can be grown in the open air, at
least in our south-western counties.

A very interesting series of Orchids in fruit was shown by
Messrs. Veitch. The study of the forms of the capsules of
Orchids has been hitherto too much neglected, and, indeed, the
fruit of many even well-known genera have not yet been
described. One reason for this is to be found in the fact that
botanical collectors rarely obtain complete specimens of Orchids
with both fruit and flowers, and without the latter it is almost
impossible to identify the plant, and, furthermore, the fruits are
a good deal injured by pressing, and their form rendered difficult
to make out.

The capsules of most Orchids consist of six valves in two
whorls, the outer ones are narrow and barren, while those of the
inner series are broad and bear on their inner service the
placentas with the minute circles. These valves bear, usually,
ridges running down the middle, and commonly the outer
valves are reduced to the ridges only, in the form of slender ribs
alternating with the broad seed-bearing inner valves. Some-
times the valves and their ridges are nearly equal and sometimes
the ridges are absent. Besides variations in these respects, the
first varies in shape and outline, it may be long and narrow as
in the Vanilla, or short and thick as in Cattleya. Usually the
placentas do not run the whole length of the capsule, but between
their termination and the base of the column is a larger or
shorter portion, which is generally narrower than the body of
the capsule and forms a kind of beak.

These various forms were well illustrated by the exhibits of
Messrs. Veitch, Smee and Cookson. The long, narrow, pod-like
form was represented by the fruits of Vanilla plani/olia, almost
cylindrical, with no ridges and only grooves to mark the six-
partite origin of the fruit. They were quite soft and pulpy, of
a rich chocolate brown, and deliciously scented. Plialanopsis
Schilleriana has also a long pod, about four inches in length,
cylindrical, thicker and shorter than that of Vanilla, and with
more distinct grooves. Cypripedium has also a sub-cylindrical
elongate fruit.

Sophronitis grandiflora has an elongate fruit with distinct
ridges and a very conspicuous beak.

OBCHID CONFERENCE. 155

In Oncidum Forbesii, the fruit is somewhat like that of
Sophronitis in shape, but thicker and with more distinct ribs and
a shorter beak.

Chysis bractescen* has a thick sub-cylindric capsule with thick
blunt ridges. In Vanda insignis, the fruit is straight and thick,
six-sided, with no beak. The fruits of Odontoglossum Pescatorei and
O. radiatum have rather indistinct ridges, being elongate and
triangular in section. Angr(Bcum sesquipedale has a rather long
pyriform fruit, with indistinct ridges and no beak. In Dendrobium
Findteyanum the fruit is rather long-shaped but has no beak, and
the ridges are somewhat obscure. Aerides quinquevulnera and
Masdevallia tovarensis have each a short thick beakless fruit,
that of the former being rather large in proportion to the flower.
The Cattleyas and Lselias have pendulous thick and short fruits
with distinct beaks, and the ridges prominent and blunt, nearly
equal, with deep and broad depressions between them. Those of
Cattleya Trianw, Ltrlia anccps, and albida were shown. Very
similar in form are the fruits of Lycaste ;. the ribs, however, were
stouter and blunter in the species shown, viz., L. Sfcmnm'and
Deppii.

W. Macdonald, Esq., of Perth, sent a plant of Phalanopsi*
Stwrtiana (Bchb. f.), on the roots of which three young plants
had appeared. This is not the first time this very unusual
phenomenon has appeared on a Phalsenopsis. Professor Reich-
enbach mentions an analogous case in a communication read at
the Conference, and a similar specimen was grown a short time
ago by Major Lendy.

This method of reproduction is more common in dicotyle-
donous plants, especially in tree or shrubby plants, and is the
rule rather than the exception in some trees, such as the
Balsam Poplar.

H. N. RIDLEY.

W. S. JOHNSON, " Nassau Steam Press," GO, St. Martin's Lane, Charing Cross, W.C.

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