120 Rhodora [Junk 
lorrhiza, Epidendrum, Dendrobium, Sauroglossum, Liparis, Habenaria, 
Cyrtopodium and Dendrophylax, are critically characterized and illus- 
trated. Of these, several from the Philippine Islands are new to 
science. The second portion is devoted to a systematic and descrip- 
tive presentation of the Philippine orchids so far as they have been 
collected by the botanists of the United States government. About 
thirty genera and numerous species are here discussed. There fol- 
lows a description of Epidendrum variegatum, Sw., an epiphytic 
West Indian orchid, recently discovered for the first time in the United 
States at Palm Beach, Florida, by Mr. Frank Idner. The fourth part, 
which Will be of the greatest interest and assistance to North Amer- 
ican botanists, is a revision of the difficult and much confused North 
American species of Spiranthes. In the preparation of this mono- 
graphic treatment Mr. Ames has examined a well nigh incredible 
amount of material, and some idea of the detail of the work may be 
conveyed by the fact that the mere citation of specimens of Spiran- 
thes cernua occupies seven closely printed pages. This unprecedented 
thoroughness in the citation of material examined might seem waste- 
ful of space were it not proved by experience that no feature of a 
plant monograph is of more practical value to the working botanist. 
Itis impossible here even to mention, much less to discuss, the 
numerous points of interest brought out by Mr. Ames in relation 
to the identity and synonymy of the species discussed. 
The plates and text-figures drawn by Mrs. Ames form an attractive 
and valuable feature of the work, combining to an unusual degree 
artistic merit and scientific accuracy. Reproduced by the Boston 
Heliotype Company, the plates show the distinctness of outline and 
softness of shading characteristic of its superior work. 
A note in the preface intimates that future fascicles are likely to 
present contributions not merely to the taxonomy but to the morph- 
ology, physiology, and ecology of the Orchidaceae. 
Vol. 7, no. 77, including pages 81 to 100, was issued 12 May, 1905. 
