36 
the inquiry started in the Semaine Horticole, and who is particularly prejudiced 
against hybridising, remarked : — “ J recognise the inconveniences, the troubles, 
“and defects of hybridisation; but admit that it will be useful now to enable us 
“to produce novelties as we cannot hope for any more very sensational disco- 
“ veries from tropical explorations. , 
It seems to us that our interlocutor in speaking thus was guilty of ingratitude 
to nature. One might say on the contrary that she had taken care to spread 
out her discoveries and to deliver up her treasures only in such a gradual way 
as to always furnish us with new pleasures. 
The last ten years have contributed their proportion of novelties as brilliant 
and almost as rich as in the glorious years when the genus Odontoglossum for 
example presented its marvels for the admiration of the first orchidist. Speaking 
of this genus alone and of its most celebrated species, O. crispum, is it not 
surprising that the region containing it, which for many years past has been 
overrun and ransacked by so many collectors, can still conceal such a number 
of new and magnificent forms? Is it not also somewhat astonishing that they 
are confined to some particular district, and that the fortunate collector who 
happens to alight upon this spot gathers in at one cast of his net so many incom- 
parable plants that one of them alone is sufficient to create a sensation? 
During the last year anda half Odontoglossum crispum has been enriched 
by the following list of remarkable .varieties, viz : augustum, calos, meleagris, 
citratum, Lindeni, Kegeljani, Hyeanum, magnificum, Ami Charles, regale, Franz 
Masereel, procerum, Ashworthianum, spectabile, and last of all ‘Luciani, which is 
the brightest jewel in the crown. : 
With the varieties, natural hybrids such as O. Wilckeanum and its varieties, 
vufum, etc., O. X spectabile, etc., which are a few of the most remarkable, are 
equally deserving of special mention. At Moortebeek and the HorricuLTuRE 
INTERNATIONALE, are many other exquisite forms, unnecessary to enumerate, which 
two years ago would have caused a sensation, but they cannot be compared with 
the others. 
Is it still necessary to refer to the superb additions which have enriched 
Cattleyas, Catasetums, Zygopetalums, etc.? We think we have justified our 
opening statements, and have demonstrated that the direct importations of 
Orchids, far from diminishing, are as rich and as beautiful as ever. 
Les 
vv 
