172 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [JUNE, 1923- 
were provided with a few swift coolies, by whom living plants of every 
species collected were quickly conveyed to Mr. Pantling, who, while the 
plants were still fresh, made drawings of them. These collectors were 
provided with a stock of formaldehyd, in a weak dilution of which they 
were instructed to preserve inflorescences of every species collected. 
CYMBIDIUMS AT THE GHENT QUINQUENNIAL. 
F Orchids were not quite so strong a feature at the Belgian International 
Show as they are at Chelsea, Cymbidiums were particularly well 
represented. Practically every exhibit of Orchids included few or many. 
The Comte de Hemptine, famed for the culture of Cymbidium hybrids, 
backed his group by some splendid examples, and others were to be seen in 
the groups of Dr. Ballion, M. Firmin Lambeau and M. Charles Dietrich. 
A magnificent group, composed entirely of Cymbidiums—137 plants— 
staged by Messrs. Sanders, of St. Albans and Bruges, drew many encomiums 
from visitors. Huge plants of Cymbidium Pauwelsii were prominently 
placed, and grouped around and beneath them was a choice and very varied 
assortment of hybrids, including some particularly richly-coloured forms of 
Cymbidium Ceres (I’Ansonii x insigne), Redstart, Dryad, Nelly, Vesta, 
Alexanderi, Gottianum, etc., interspaced by some striking insigne (Sanderi) 
varying from the typical to forms wholly of a rose-red tint, while in others« 
the red coloration of the lip was accentuated by pure white sepals and petals. 
Among Cymbidiums this species stands pre-eminent, both in habit and 
beauty, and its utility as a parent cannot be over-estimated. Its introduction, 
and use by the hybridist, has brought the whole genus into popularity 
and probably no other Orchid has, in a comparatively short space of 
time, been so largely used, nor have such striking results been otherwise 
obtained. 
The Orchid of the Show was a wonderful variety—insigne var. Bieri— 
exhibited under a glass case by Messrs. Bier & Ankersmitt, who staged a 
very fine group of well-grown Cymbidiums in the Azalea Hall. The plant 
under mention is the finest form of this species yet seen, its chief character- 
istic being the remarkable size of the blossoms. These do not differ greatly 
in colour from a good form of the type, but are richly tinted, larger, and 
thick in texture. Both this plant and the others exhibited in the same 
group, chiefly insigne forms and Ceres, were excellently grown. In the 
majority the plants carried three, four, and in some cases five huge spikes, 
well flowered and well coloured. Many were in comparatively shallow tubs,. 
an improvement on the huge and weighty pots many English specimens are 
grown in. 
Most, if not all of these plants, including the variety Bieri, were acquired 
from Messrs. Sanders, of Bruges, during the last year of the war, so that 
