226 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [Nov.-Dec., 1918, 
It is too early to estimate the disastrous effects of the war upon Orchid- 
ology ; we are too near the great tragedy, but the withdrawal of labour 
from peaceful occupations, the difficulties of transit, shortage of materials, 
and restrictions on travel have all had their influence. And until peace is 
signed many of the restrictions are likely to continue, and even then the return 
to normal conditions will not take place all at once. How soon the Royal 
Horticultural Hall will again be available we do not know, and it is perhaps 
too much to expect that the great summer shows can be resumed next year. 
But in any case the fortnightly meetings are likely to regain some of their 
old importance, and when the big Shows are resumed we shall doubtless 
again see displays that are worthy of the occasion. 
Shall we ever see a return of the former conditions of Orchid importing ? 
asks a correspondent. Perhaps not, now that so many brilliant hybrids 
are being raised at home. But the latter, after all, belong to a comparatively 
limited class, and we think there is still room for a selection of the 
numerous remarkable genera which are as yet untouched by the hybridist. 
This, in fact, is the cause of complaint, that there are now so few opportunities 
of picking up those interesting little plants that were constantly appearing in 
importations, and whose flowering for the first time was awaited with as 
much curiosity as is that of the modern race of hybrids, and which afterwards 
gave as much pleasure in their cultivation. Many, we know, are still grown, 
and with a return to normal conditions an opportunity for importing others 
will again present itself, if there isthe necessary demand for them. And 
the increasing amount of Orchid culture in the tropics, with the improved 
facilities for transit that may be anticipated, will doubtless bring some of 
these intéresting plants within reach again. Some might be sent by post 
direct, under a suitable method of packing, and when the plants are at rest. 
Perhaps we shall hear more of this in the near future. 
An importation of Cycnoches from Central America for example, would 
be interesting, if it yielded such surprises as those described by Bateman, of 
which a summary is given at pp. 189-191. Even if the element of surprise 
were now lacking, it would enable one better to realise some of the 
conditions of the past. In any case the sight of such utterly diverse kinds 
of flowers on the same plant is one to be remembered, and is very likely to 
occur on strong imported plants. There is also the fact that in several cases 
only one sex is at present known. It is not a little curious that 50 
comparatively little should still be known of this remarkable genus. And 
the remark applies with equal force to Catasetum, a much larger, allied 
genus, in which the sexes are so diverse in character that they wer 
formerly placed in separate genera. 
