ORCHIDACE^ 



many species of Dendrochilum are characterized by a remark- 

 able tendency toward montane endemism. Of course it is quite 

 probable that the apparent isolation of Dendrockilum irigense 

 Ames on Mount Iriga, of Z). ocellatum Pfitz. on Mount Data and 

 oiD.sphacelatum Pfitz. on Mount Santo Tomas,to mention only 

 a few of many examples, may be the result of incomplete know- 

 ledge of their actual distribution. If it were not for the repeated 

 discovery of some of these species in their original stations, and 

 for their absence from collections made elsewhere, the suggestion 

 that deductions as to restricted distribution are premature at this 

 time might be seriously entertained. At least until there is evi- 

 dence to the contrary, it will be well to act on the hypothesis that 

 the alpine species of Dendrochilum are often endemic on isolated 

 mountains. 



Although the evidence obtained from an examination of re- 

 cent collections indicates that we have made substantial progress 

 toward a comprehensive survey of the Philippine orchid flora, it 

 is highly probable that unexplored and lightly touched regions, 

 especiallv the mountainous regions of Mindanao and Mindoro, 

 will bring to light many new species. It is very desirable that 

 Mount Halcon should be ascended again for botanical purposes. 

 Some of the species obtained on this mountain by Merrill in 1906 

 have not since appeared in collections from other sources, and 

 many of them are represented in herbaria by very scanty mate- 

 rial. Blount Data would seem to have an exceptionally interest- 

 ing orchid flora, and an effort to assemble it w^ould be distinctly 

 worth while. Some of the species described from specimens col- 

 lected on INIount Data should again be sought for. I have in 

 mind especially Dendi'ochiluvi oliganthum Pfitz. and D.ocellatum 

 Pfitz., two very remarkable species that are poorly represented 

 by the material obtained in 1905 by Merrill. Even though the 



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