30 MANUAL OF ORCHIDACEOUS PLANTS. 



its dimensions, habit of growth., &c, and a more or less detailed 

 statement of the structure of the flower and fruit, devoid of techni- 

 calities. This is followed by a concise account of its properties and 

 uses, and, in the case of the more important kinds, the mode of 

 working the forest, conversion, commercial value, &c. A brief 

 statement is given of the distribution of the genus, and a more 

 detailed account of the distribution of the species. The article is 

 completed by a botanical description of the species and an explanation 

 of the plate. In most cases enlarged representations of the parts 

 of the flower and fruit are given to facilitate identification." 



It seems a little unfortunate that some systematic disposition of 

 the species should not have been attempted, but a synopsis of the 

 characters of the orders and genera is given in the appendix, thus 

 modifying the inconvenience of the want of arrangement. 



The genera principally dealt with are Coprosma, Dacrydium, 

 Fagus, Metrosideros, Myrtus, Olea, Olearia, Phyllocladus, and Podo- 

 carpus ; the order Coniferm has received special attention, drawings 

 of a few small species having been included " on account of their 

 interesting character, although they possess but little economic 

 value." Mr. Kirk, indeed, appears throughout to have been mindful 

 of the double purpose of his work, and the botanical and techno- 

 logical portion are treated with equal care. 



Manual of Orchidaceous Plants. Part. V. Masdevallia. Chelsea: 

 James Veitch & Sons. 8vo, pp. 82. Price 7s. 6d. 



This fifth part of the ' Manual of Orchidaceous Plants' treats 

 on Masdevallia and the allied genera, Pleurothallis, Cryptophoranthus, 

 Restrepia, Arpophyllum, and Platyclinis. The five latter genera are 

 of little horticultural importance, and have therefore been only 

 shortly described. The genus Cryptophoranthus was founded in 

 1881 by Eodriguez. None of his species, however, are included 

 under this name in this part, but two well-known plants have been 

 removed to it, viz., Pleurothallis atropurpurea (syn. Masdevallia 

 fenestrata) and Masdevallia Dayana, which are popularly known as 

 " Window-Orchids," on account of the openings on each side caused 

 by the sepals being united at their tips. The plants known in 

 gardens as Dendrochili have also been placed in their proper position 

 under the Benthamian genus Platyclinis, true species of Dendro- 

 chilum not being at present in cultivation. 



The chief value of this part is to be found in the synopsis of the 

 genus Masdevallia. Sixty good species are here described ; more 

 than twice that number are known to science, but many of them 

 are of botanical interest only. An attempt has been made at 

 classification, the species being divided to form sections, three of 

 which are Eeichenbachian, viz. : — (1) Eumasdevallia, (2) Saccolabiata, 

 and (3) Triaristella. The fourth section has no name, but is 

 typified by M. swertiafolia and M. gibberosa. These sixty-six species 

 include several plants hitherto regarded as species, but which are 

 now classed either as synonyms or varieties. The Chiinasroid 

 section has been well treated, but we cannot altogether accept 

 M. acrochordonia as a synonym of M. Ephippium. It is in the same 



