OcToBER, 1914.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 295 
the fundamental properties of living organisms is to maintain that in- 
dividuality. Itis just this power of directing chemical and physical processes 
that distinguishes a living organism from an inanimate object. 
This is necessarily a greatly condensed summary, but we have en- 
deavoured to follow the argument as closely as possible, and we take the 
opportunity of thanking Prof. Dendy for his lucid address. It is refreshing 
to find so vigorous an exposition, and one that marches so well with the 
facts as we know them. They are as applicable to the evolution and 
development of Orchids as to the subject which Prof. Dendy had more 
particularly in view, and some of them have already been emphasised in 
our pages in discussing the significance of the Mendelian phenomena, and 
its bearing on evolution and progressive development. 
Prof. Dendy would probably accept the interpretation that ‘‘ Species 
originate, increase and multiply, and diffuse themselves from their original 
birthplace, so far as climatal and other barriers permit. And in gradually 
extending their area they come under the influence of changed conditions, 
and, being plastic, they respond to the environment, and, variation result- 
ing, ultimately give rise to what are known as geographical races, by the 
survival of the variations best fitted to the new conditions. . . . The 
changes may be, and undoubtedly are, very gradual, but such evidence 
establishes the case for the existence of inheritable variability. | Crossing is 
undoubtedly a potent cause of variation, but to say that it is the sole cause 
's only to ignore the evidence of geographical distribution.” 
oo . 
(es JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN—IN MEMORIAM. ES 
Ti a aneateaepeenaeeteinn es 
HE last issue of the Kew Bulletin contains, under the above heading, 
an appreciative article by the late Director, Sir W. T. Thiselton- 
Dyer, in which Mr. Chamberlain’s love of gardening and his services to 
Kew, especially in securing the completion of the great Temperate House, 
are described. Kew, it is remarked, ‘owed to Mr. Chamberlain as to no 
other of our time, stimulus, encouragement and support. In his beautiful 
home at Highbury he found recreation in his garden from the labours of a 
‘trenuous political life. It was not the mere indulgence of a man of means; 
with everything else it bore the impress of his own personality and 
Practical ingenuity. An extensive range of glass was incorporated with the 
Use ; no outside pilgrimage was needed to visit it. An ample winter 
§arden was qa pleasant meeting ground for the family and its guests. Out 
of this opened a corridor with houses on either hand. A button by the 
