il. PREFACE 
followed by the name of the resulting hybrid. The name of the first parent 
(in the alphabetical series) is given in heavy type in the centre of the 
column, and all the species with which it has been crossed are arranged 
alphabetically on the left, with the resulting hybrid on the right. Each 
parent appears again in its own alphabetical position, and thus the hybrids 
of any given species appear all together (those of a later date, of course 
appearing in the Addenda, which should also be consulted). Take Brassa- 
vola Digbyana, for example:—Eighteen hybrids of it appear on page 1— 
where also are found the eighteen species with which it has been crossed, 
in alphabetical order—but there are nineteen additions on page 239, so 
popular is this species as a parent. The name of the hybrid appears to the 
right of the second parent, and necessarily occurs twice, as may be seen 
under Aérides on page 1, where the two parents of A. X hybridum follow 
each other immediately, but in the very next case, Zygonisia X Rolfeana, 
they are separated by the whole width of the alphabet. Having found the 
name of the hybrid by means of its parents, one turns to Part II., where its 
history and other details are given. Part I. serves the double purpose of 
indicating the name of any given hybrid whose parents are known, and of 
shewing with what others a given species has been crossed. 
Part II. contains, (rt) an alphabetical enumeration of existing hybrids, 
each under its adopted name, followed by (2) the names of its parents, 
(3) references to descriptions and figures, (4) the name of the raiser or 
exhibitor, (5) date of first flowering, and (6) synonymy, these being followed 
in a few cases by (7) a short additional note. A few explanatory details 
must now be given under these several headings. 
1. Names.—lIn all cases we have aimed at adopting the earliest 
correct name, but this is not invariably the name first published. Part I. 
commences with a few suggestions for securing greater uniformity of 
practice than at present exists, and the following paragraph may be repeated, 
as it has been our guide throughout :— 
‘“‘ Hybrids raised between species should receive specific names, Latin or 
classical, consisting of a single word—the use, however, of two short words 
being permissible where they can be connected with a hyphen. Short 
names should be used for preference, those exceeding six syllables being 
considered inadmissible.” 
Where the earliest name agrees with this proposition it has been adopted 
unmodified, but if not in agreement an attempt has been made to amend 
it. Thus the hybrid between Cattleya Dowiana and C. Eldorado appears 
as C. X Ingramiz, not as C. x Lady Ingram, the earlier form of the 
name, and this in spite of the fact that another name, C. X Suzanne, is 
already in correct form. The latter appeared five years later, and remains, 
as it has always been, a synonym. Similar names in the vernacular have 
