324 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [NovEMBER, 1922. 
considered one of out-standing merit, and during the past season the plant 
progressed so favourably that in September it produced the beautiful flower 
now illustrated, and which exceeded seven inches in width when measured 
across from point to point of the petals. 
Lc. Momus is the result of crossing Lc. Rubens (C. Hardyana X L. 
preestans), with C. Octave Doin (C. aurea X C. Mendelii), the seed -bearing 
parent being composed of aurea, gigas and prastans, the pollen parent 
adding Mendelii, from which it will be seen that four species have been 
utilised in the making of this hybrid. Everyone experienced in the 
production of hybrids is fully acquainted with the wide variation witnessed 
in seedlings raised from the same seed-pod. Lc. Momus is no exception to 
this rule, for there were varieties that resembled nearly all the hybrids that 
have been produced by various intercrossings of the above spécies.. 
One of the weak features of many Lezeliocattleyas is the drooping nature 
of the petals, and in order to remedy this defect a small-growing species 
known as Lelia prestans has been utilised. This species and L. pumila 
are very similar, and although frequently confused there is just sufficient 
difference to distinguish the one from the other when in flower. Both 
yield flowers of only moderate size, but their petals are unusually well 
developed, and this excellent character sometimes comes out prominently 
in seedlings containing either of them in the parentage. Not only do the 
petals in this particular variety of Lc. Momus meet one another, but they 
actually overlap and cover the lower half of the dorsal sepal. The general 
colour of the flower is rose-purple, rendered bright by the influence of C. 
aurea, as often occurs, while'the lip is rich crimson-purple with gold lines 
on the central area and the base surrounding the column. 
oscil 
POLYSTACHYA MINUTA.—The issue of Addisonia for June, 1922, contains 
a coloured plate of this species, a native of Florida, the West Indies, and 
South America. It is the type species of the genus, and was first described 
from plants collected in French Guiana prior to 1775. The accompanying 
text states that this is one of the most abundant and widely distributed 
Orchids of tropical America, usually found growing on trees in moist oF 
wet situations, but like some other epiphytic plants it is sometimes seen 
on rocks or cliffs, indicating that the epiphytic habit is a mechanical rather 
than a biological one; its cord-like roots clasp the tree or rock rather 
firmly. 
+> 0<-— 
EPIDENDRUM ATRORUBENS, Rolfe—A Mexican species with dark red- 
purple flowers, belonging to the section Encyclium, and allied to Ei 
selligerum, Batem, and E. plicatum, Lindl. It flowered with Messrs- 
Linden, Brussels, in October, 1892.—Kew Bulletin, 1896, p. 44. 
