*. 1921 . 
*3 8 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [November, 
Reichenbach afterwards made a new section of the genus for its reception, 
calling it “ Thomsonianum ” (Xen. Orch., iii. p. 35, t. 213). Pfitzer 
transferred the plant, with some doubt, to Ipsea (Engl, and Prantl., Pflanzen/., 
ii. pt. 6, p. 154), and Rolfe established a new genus for it under the name 
Ancistrochilus (FI. Prop. Afr., vii., p. 44), in allusion to the hook-like front 
lobe of the lip. The accompanying illustration shows a specimen that 
flowered at Kew, with six racemes, two of which had three flowers each. 
The sepals and petals are pale lilac-pink, the side lobes of the lip green, 
dotted with dusky brown, and the front lobe and disc bright purple. The 
column is light green densely dotted with dusky brown. It is allied to 
Pachystoma, but is readily distinguished by the pollinia being attached to a 
single stipitated appendage, and by its remarkable lip. The supposed 
gland ’ figured in the Botanical Magazine is only a viscid secretion, and 
not analogous to the gland of the tribe Vandese. 
This plant is a native of Old Calabar, where it is found, at a moderate 
elevation, growing on the trunks of trees. Inhabiting one of the hottest 
parts of the globe, its chief cultural requirements are continual warmth 
and moisture, such as are maintained for Phalamopsis. This species is not 
often met with under cultivation, hence the specimen recently seen in 
perfection in the collection of Dr. Fred. Bedford, of Fulford, York, provides 
a pleasing reminder of an interesting as well as an attractive Orchid. 
Agrostophyllum Species.— Amongst the Orchids collected by Miss 
Lilian Gibbs on Mount Kinabalu were two specimens of Agrostophyllum, 
both without flowers, and therefore indeterminable. In the account of this 
collection published in the Linnean Society’s Journal, vol. xlii , p. 154 it is 
remarked: “This is the common condition of herbarium specimens of 
Agrostophyllum, apparently because these very fleshy plants take so long to 
dry that the capsules develop after gathering. The plants should be killed 
by scalding if possible, and a few flowers detached and dried separately in 
a foiled piece of blotting paper.” 
Easily-Grown Orchids.—An excellent article by Mr. Donald McDonald 
on easily-grown Orchids appeared in the Daily Telegraph of Oct. 6th. “ At 
one time ’ he states, “only those possessing properly constructed glass¬ 
houses could successfully cultivate Orchids. But now the experts have 
introduced a number of hybrids which are amenable to reasonable treatment 
inordinary houses; indeed, the new cross-bred Odontiodas and Odonto- 
glossums are gradually developing into a type almost as easy to grow as 
geraniums and fuchsias, so that everyone who loves beautiful flowers will 
soon have the chance of seeing masses of these richly-coloured and quaintly 
formed treasures decorating their little Crystal Palaces and windows around.” 
