JULY, 1923.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. Top 
advance in richness of coloration is now rather slow, and there is no further 
evidence that a blue coloured Odontoglossum will be obtained. On the 
other hand, there were one or two excellent varieties noteworthy on account 
of the large size and round formation of their flowers. But if members of 
the general public are watched it will be noticed that they frequently pick. 
out for praise some of the more starry shaped flowers of delicate rose tints,. 
and if they do so for decorative reasons we fully agree with their choice. 
Odontiodas are still very popular, and a distinct advance always gains 
the approval of the Committee. This year two First-class Certificates were 
granted, one to Odontioda Duchess of York, in which the spike carried 
twenty flowers of a bright scarlet colour tinged with orange and evenly 
suffused throughout all the segments, and the other to Odontioda Radiant 
var. Majestic, a large flower of deep rose colour, and having the segments 
prettily blotched with reddish scarlet. In all large groups a bold design is 
necessary, and this was effected in some cases by massing several plants of 
similar kind, or else by contrast, as was done with a large plant of Cattleya 
Mossiz bearing twenty white flowers that was surrounded by numerous. 
plants of Odontioda Chanticler with many-flowered spikes of rich. 
crimson-scarlet. 
Each year witnesses a long series of new hybrids, many of them but new 
combinations of the same species, yet all of interest to those who make a. 
Practice of regularly recording them. To those who watch for im- 
provements in certain definite directions, progress apparently comes rather 
slowly, for after the primary crosses and first few subsequent matings have 
flowered there is less opportunity for the individual characters to arrange: 
themselves in any new design of distinction. But with all the new hybrids, 
some of which unquestionably are great improvements on those of earlier 
date, there are a few that not only have a historic interest all their own on 
account of their early origin, but possess particular merits that render them 
always worthy of appreciation. No better example exists than Leelio- 
cattleya Dominiana, a hybrid raised in 1878 by Dominy, the pioneer of 
Orchid hybridisation, yet still widely cultivated on account of its richly 
coloured lip. Another reminder of the early days, for it first appeared in: 
1881, is Selenipedium grande, of which there were several finely cultivated 
examples. The long-tailed petals of this hybrid hung down in ribbon-like 
style from plants arranged on pedestals, causing them to be frequent objects. 
of wonder to the numerous visitors. 
MASDEVALLIA VELIFERA.—This species was sent from Colombia by 
Patin to B. S. Williams in 1874. It has large malodorous flowers, of 
Ochreous-yellow colour, minutely dotted with red-brown. Exhibited by 
Messrs. Sanders at the Royal Horticultural Show, June 12th, 1923. 
