Marcu, 1923.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 71 
THE CAPACITY OF ORCHIDS TO SURVIVE IN THE 
STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE. 
By J. RAMSBOTTOM, M.A., F.L.S. 
NE had expected that the stimulating paper by Mr. Oakes Ames in the 
Orchid Review for August 1922 (Vol. xxx, pp. 229-234) entitled 
“Observations on the capacity of Orchids to survive in the struggle for 
existence,’ would have given rise to some discussion. In the present note 
two of the matters treated by Mr. Ames will be discussed (1) the significance 
of the term ‘‘ decadence ” when applied to Orchids and (2) the manner in 
which Orchids reached the island of Krakatau after the volcanic eruption. 
(1). Many botanists, for one reason or another, have regarded the 
Orchidacez as a decadent group of plants. Mr. Ames controverts this idea, 
but does not state it in a form that would meet with the approval of many 
of its upholders. Dispensing with quotations in order not to give too 
controversial a flavour to this slight note we may consider the matter from 
a somewhat different standpoint. Taking the usual definition of ‘‘ decadence” 
¢.g., that of the ‘‘ New English Dictionary ”’: ‘‘The process of falling away 
or declining (from a prior state of excellence, vitality, prosperity, etc.) ; 
decay, impaired or deteriorated condition,” can we apply this in any way 
to Orchids? To most of the readers of this periodical who are interested 
in the flowers of Orchids it savours of the ridiculous to regard the wonder- 
ful array of cultivated forms as decadent, though the term would willingly be 
used for such a saprophytic species as our native Neottia Nidus-avis. Apart 
altogether from colour, and regarded purely from a botanical standpoint, 
the Orchid flower is replete with numerous and strange devices to achieve 
pollination, the sole object of the structure. Here again degeneracy is a 
ridiculous term to apply to such highly organised structures. When, how- 
€ver, we consider the vegetative parts of the plant and the seeds, we are on 
different ground. Fungus-mycelium, apparently invariably occurs in the 
roots of Orchids, and, so far as. we know at present, the flowering plant is 
unable to grow under natural conditions unless the mycelium is present. 
The fact that the Orchid has been able to turn what was probably in its 
Origin a parasitic attack into one of subservience, is doubtless a great 
accomplishment on its part, but as a flowering plant it theoretically has 
ceased to exist. To carry the matter further. The production of a large 
number of seeds is usually regarded as a sign of lowness of organization in 
that it is found in more primitive groups where adaptations for securing 
adequate germination are lacking. In the case of Orchids the immense 
quantity of seeds produced is, however, probably not so to be regarded, but 
as an adaptation to the special needs of germination. This process is, of 
