THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
Vou. XXXI.] AUGUST, 1923. [No. 362. 
NO TES: 
Histcoiocy of CERTAIN Orcuips.—The Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical 
Club, Jan., 1923, contains an article by Edna L. Smith on ‘‘ The Histology 
of certain Orchids with reference to mucilage secretion and crystal 
formation.” It is stated that the subject of mucilage secretion in plants is 
one which has been discussed from several points of view. The relation of 
the mucilage to growth, to the prevention of loss of water by transpiration, 
its possible rdle as reserve food material, its chemical composition, its 
origin, the processes in connection with its formation; all are questions as 
to plant slimes which are still disputed. The relation of raphides to 
cell mucilage is undetermined, although it has been noted that mucilage 
occurs in cells which bear raphides. The conclusions arrived at by the 
author are that in the floral organs of Aspasia sp. and Oncidium stipitatum 
the mucilage must originate in the protoplast, since the cytoplasm and the 
nucleus lie between it and the cell wall. In these forms mucilage cells were 
found in the young actively growing regions. This mucilage can hardly 
have the functions ascribed to that found in Orchid pseudobulbs. In all 
forms investigated mucilage and raphides were found associated, and neither 
was seen without the other. 
DENDROBIUM MOSCHATUM.—Photographs of this elegant species have 
been received from G. Lindley Hinde, Esq., Assam, who contributed an 
interesting note to our last issue (p. 162). This Dendrobium, as well as 
D. Farmeri, was flowering very freely with him during the month of May, 
and judging by the many spikes seen in the photographs a fine effect was 
produced by the large flowers of nankeen-yellow colour, which have the addi- 
tional charm of being musk-scented. It inhabits the plains of Lower Burmah 
and Moulmein, and first became known in British gardens about the year 
1825. A variety known as Calceolaria has somewhat smaller flowers of 
Sir Jos. Hooker, however, records (Fl. Brit. Ind., 
bright orange-yellow. 
“The name D. Calceolaria (1823) is much 
£25 
P- 744) this species as follows; 
