206 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
succeed upon a substratum, identical in composition, which has not 
contained a living plant of the same species. The author, however, would 
offer the reverse explanation, namely, that the living plant “infects” the 
substratum with the fungus, without which germination cannot be effected. 
As to the well-known fact that the germination of Orchid seed is 
“capricious,” taking place after various periods of delay, M. Bernard 
_ suggests that this may be due to the seed not having been all infected by 
the mycelium together. 
_ This is necessarily a very brief summary of the argument, and without 
in any way questioning the presence of the fungi, or their use to the plant, 
we cannot wholly adopt the inferences drawn by M. Bernard. We know 
of Orchid seeds which have germinated upon various strata specially 
prepared for the purpose, which contained no living plant, and from which 
they have been “ pricked off’? and grown on in the usual way. Whether the 
fungi were accidentally present in the compost we cannot say.. If the fungi 
are not present in the seeds before sowing—and M. Bernard examined a seed 
of Neottia nidus-avis anatomically with negative results—but are found in 
the youngest plantlets while still enclosed within the untorn integument of 
the seed, the question arises, how did they effect an entrance? Further 
experiments are desirable to clear up this point. Meantime, it would be 
interesting to hear the opinions of others on some of the points raised. 
ODONTOGLOSSUM x ROLFEAZ, WALTON GRANGE VAR. 
A FLOWER of the beautiful Odontoglossum x Rolfe, Walton Grange 
variety, to which a First-class Certificate was given by the Royal 
Horticultural Society on June rgth, and a similar Award by the Manchester 
and North of England Orchid Society two days later, has been sent from 
the collection of W. Thompson, Esq., Walton Grange, Stone. It is 
remarkably distinct from the original form, and approaches one described 
at page 163 of our last volume, except that the blotches are deep plum 
purple in colour, without any tinge of violet. The flower measures over 
four inches across its broadest diameter, and the markings mostly consist of 
large, irregular blotches, more or less confluent, and thus leaving the white 
ground very small in amount, and tinged with light purple. The lip is over 
an inch broad, white at the apex, and yellow round the crest, with a very 
large purple blotch in front of the latter, and many lines and spots at 
the sides and base. The heavily-marked sepals and petals show the 
preponderating influence of the O. Harryanum parent. Mr. Stevens states 
that it was purchased, with others, as small seedlings, and that this is the 
first which has reached the flowering stage. It is a great acquisition, and 
should stimulate others to persevere in hybridising this beautiful genus. 
