12 : THE ORCHID REVIEW. [MaRcH, 1923- 
course, dependant in nature upon inoculation by the fungus which occurs 
in the roots. Under ordinary conditions, so faras we know, a seed is unable 
to germinate successfully, 7.c., give rise to a fully established seedling, with- 
out the aid of the fungus. As far as most Orchids are concerned the fungus. 
is held completely in check and all its activities appear beneficial. How are 
we to regard an Orchid? It is certainly highly evolved, but the develop- 
ment is along the line of symbiosis, and not along that of independence. 
Considered as a flowering plant, the Orchid is certainly degenerate in that 
its seeds are unable to germinate, nor is it able to continue its development 
autonomously. In fact, it might well be argued that an Orchid is not a 
flowering plant at all, but a dual organism consistiny of phanerogam and 
fungus—only when a green Orchid is in a resting condition is the fungus 
absent. What we have to bear in mind in using such terms as decadence 
is the line of development we are studying. All organisms must be adapted 
to their mode of life and the fact that they exist proves that they are at least 
successful in some degree. High specialisation may even be regarded as 
degeneracy in that the particular conditions to which the organism 1s 
attuned will be difficult of attainment. The prize specimens in our agri- 
cultural (and even horticultural) shows would rarely receive Nature’s First- 
class Certificate. 
(2). It is, however, with Mr. Ames’ theory as to how Orchids reached 
Krakatau that I wish principally to deal, as the matter is one to which I 
had previously given some consideration and had arrived at a different 
conclusion. The theory is that the seeds, before reaching Krakatau, ‘* were 
previously supplied with mycorrhizal fungus.’ One statement in Mr. Ames’ 
article to which exception must be taken is that “ the mycorrhizal fungus is 
not known to occur as an autonomous organism comparable to an omnipotent 
mould.” The fungus certainly does occur apart from the Orchid plant, as 
a consideration of the manner in which seeds and roots become infected 
clearly shows. Moreover, it can be isolated from the soil of pots in which 
Orchids have grown, and also from soil in the neighbourhood of our native 
Orchids. Further, there is not the slightest: difficulty in growing it in pure 
culture, a state of affairs which of itself indicates that the fungus is capable 
of an autonomous existence. 
“The distance of the Krakatau islands from the coasts of Java and 
Sumatra . . . . is comparatively trifling. The island of Sebesi, which 
was only partially deprived of its vegetation by the eruption of 1883, is only 
19 km. (12 miles) from Krakatau, and only about 15 km. (g miles) from 
Verlaten and Lang Islands. The distance of Krakatau from Seboekoe is 
only slightly greater. To the nearest points of the coast of Sumatra, Telong 
Kelapa and Varkenshoek, the distance is 37 and 40 km. (23 and 25 miles). 
To Java’s Third Point the distance is approximately the same ; and to the 
ae 
