50 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [Marcu, 19 
this. In dry weather this papery covering prevents transpiration from the 
root-cells, and in wet weather condenses and supplies water to them. 
put it roughly, the outer bark of Orchid roots in a water catcher and hol 
from which the root cells are fed.” 
Whatever may be the amount of damage caused by loss of roots duri 
the winter, it is certain there is generally a fine display of bloom at Ke 
the only exception being after a spell of yellow fog, which has a disastr 
effect in many urban districts. And the damage is not limited to t 
flowers, for some of the leaves become yellow, and have to be removed. 
The Cymbidiums are still making a fine display, and a successam 
being maintained by the addition of C. eburneum, a fine C. Lowianum w 
a profusion of its graceful racemes, and C. Lowgrinum, a hybrid of the latter 
with C. tigrinum. . The Cattleyas always show a decrease at this time 0 
year, but the distinct C. citrina is showing for bloom, and there 
examples of C. Trianz and several hybrids, also the brilliant Sophroniti 
grandiflora, the pretty little Leptotes bicolor, and a few others. * 
Among Warm house plants may be mentioned an example of the chast 
Vanda teres alba, with three blooms, the buff-coloured Aérides Houllet 
A few of the summer-flowering Cypripediums are showing fom 
flower, and several hybrids are in bloom; in short, this genus can be relied 
upon to produce a succession of flowers throughout the year, and they af 
among the last flowers to succumb to a spell of fog. 
A number of Dendrobiums, species and hybrids, are again in bloom, t 
of the more interesting being the violet-blue D. Victoria-Regina, and th 
yellow D. Harveyanum, whose fringed sepals recall the lip of D. Brymer 
ianum, though the fringe is not developed to the same extent. There 4 
also examples of Eria iridifolia, Ccelogyne flaccida, some strong plants © 
C. cristata, Maxillaria Houtteana, and a well-flowered Panisea uniflora : 
with Pleione yannanensis and P., Pricei, the latter a Formosan species. 
In the Cool house several Odontoglossums and Odontiodas are in bloom 
the latter giving quite a brilliant touch of colour. O. rosefieldiensis, t 
hybrid between Cochlioda Neetzliana and 
very fine, the plant’ carrying 
well-flowered examples of Adz 
African Polystachya pubesce 
Masdevallia and Pleuroth allis, 
Odontoglossum triumphans, | 
five spikes of reddish orange flowers. SO 
t aurantiaca are also in bloom, with the Sout 
ns, Lycaste Skinneri, and a few species : 
purple flowers. 
is so rich, though 
