Sepr.-Ocr., 1918:] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 223 
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OBITUARY. D 
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RIC H. L. DAVIDSON.—We regret to learn that Mr. E. H. L. 
Davidson, chief partner of the firm of Messrs. E. H. Davidson & Co., 
Orchid Nurseries, Twyford, Bucks., was killed in action in France on 
August 27th last. Mr. Davidson, who has been a member of the R.H.S. 
Orchid Committee since the spring of 1914, and who joined the Artists’ Rifles 
at the commencement of the War, will be remembered as a frequent 
exhibitor, and the donor of the Davidson cup which was awarded for 
Cattleyas at the R.H. S. Summer Shows in 1913-15. 
ORcHIDS OF THE MALAY PENINSULA.—Some idea of the diverse 
conditions under which Orchids occur may be gathered from an account, 
by Mr. H. N. Ridley, of the Orchids of the Malay Peninsula, which is here 
summarised :— 
The greater part of the Malay Peninsula is covered with dense jungle, 
which extends to the tops of nearly all the hills, though the trees at about 
4,000 feet are more stunted. In the low country forests epiphytic Orchids 
are comparatively rare, and when they occur are usually situated on the 
upper branches of the loftiest trees, so as to be nearly inaccessible. 
Terrestrial Orchids, chiefly Neottiez, some of which are saprophytic, occur 
scattered all through the forests, usually sparingly, and owing to their dull 
or brown colouring are often very inconspicuous. The mangrove swamps 
and tidal river banks are often very rich in epiphytic species, which some- 
times thickly cover the branches of the trees. 
In the drier and more sunny spots along the sea coast, and the more 
open rivers, species of the Aérides group scramble over the rocks in thick 
masses. The open country where the forests have disappeared produce but 
few species, but various terrestrial species occur in dry, grassy spots, and 
others grow in grassy swamps, including the handsome Vanda Hookeriana. 
A few common species are abundant +n the orchards and gardens of the 
Villages. In many of the hill forests Orchids become more abundant as 
one ascends, and on exposed rocky slopes, where the jungle has become more 
Open, a great variety can often be found, including certain species that in 
the low country inhabit the loftiest trees, but here occur on the ground or 
low down on the stems aad branches of bushes and small trees. 
On Kedah Peak, at about 3,000 feet elevation. the ground in some places 
is thickly covered with plants of Bulbophyllum, Coelogyne, Dendrobium | 
Platyclinis, Eria, &c., in such a manner that one is up: to one’s waist in 
em. A very different Orchid flora is that of the limestone hills, which 
