ae THE ORCHID REVIEW.  [{Marcu-Aprit, 1919. 
the combined result of hybridisation and selection along definite lines, the 
hybrids which show improvements in shape or colour, and to a certain 
extent in vigour and floriferousness, being again used as parents. 
One interesting new generic hybrid appeared, in Aeridovanda Munbyi, the 
result of a cross between Aérides Vandarum and Vanda teres, which was 
exhibited by Sir Jeremiah Colman, Bart., and received a Preliminary 
Commendation. It is most like the Aérides in general character, but modified 
in floral character by the influence of Vanda teres; the terete leaves of both 
parents being naturally reproduced. Most of the other novelties were of 
‘complex parentage, as indicated above, and it is not a little remarkable that 
most hybrids of the popular genera mentioned show a scarcely reduced 
fertility as compared with the original species. 
A subject that received considerable attention in our pages was the Root- 
fungi of Orchids, and their bearing upon the germinating of Orchid seeds as 
a practical question. Details of the methods adopted by Noel Bernard and 
Dr. Hans Burgeff were given, and a recipe for the solution used by the latter, 
In this connection we may mention the experiment of germinating seedlings 
in an aseptic tube by means of concentrated solutions, as recorded at pp- 
55, 135, which suggests that it is all a question of nutrition ; in other words 
‘of supplying the necessary food to enable the embryo seedlings to get over 
the initial stages of germination. How far this can be secured by correct 
‘cultural conditions remains to be proved, but this is all that is available in 
a state of nature. Germinating seedlings are found in the most diverse 
‘conditions in a wild state, and one can hardly believe that the supposedly: 
essential root-fungi were always present beforehand. The experiment 
‘carried out by M. Fernand Denis should be repeated with other subjects. 
Experiments carried out by M. F. Denis in another direction have also 
yielded interesting results, for he has obtained further evidence: of natural: 
hybridity in the genus Ophrys, which was scarcely more than suspected before 
the series of experiments began. The records will be foundat pp. 82-83, and 
102-103, and as the experiments are being continued we hope to receive 
further examples during the present season. It would also be interesting if 
M. Denis would give a few particulars about the germination of the seedlings 
and the conditions under which the plants are grown. 
The account of Mr. C. W. Powell’s Orchid collection in Panama, 
(pp. 179-181) is very interesting, and gives a good idea of the possibilities of ° 
‘Orchid culture in the tropics, where artificial heat and the limitations of a 
glass house can be dispensed with. The discovery of the eastern Phaius 
