246 THE ORCHID REVIEW. {Nov.-Drc., 1917. 
ae a) 
FTER Lindley, Reichenbach—we have summarised both periods 
A (pp. 75-79; 219-224) covering an aggregate of over sixty years. The 
third period is separated by an act which the Gardeners’ Chronicle at the 
time well described as an ungenerous attempt to paralyse the study of 
Orchids in this country. ‘‘It would be affectation,” it remarked, “to 
pretend that we do not receive the announcement we have to make with 
chagrin and sorrow. The future task of Orchidists in this country is by 
this action rendered peculiarly laborious and perplexing.” 
A correspondent of The Garden, ‘“‘ W.H.G.,’ under the _ heading, 
‘““A successor to Professor Reichenbach,’ wrote: ‘I regret much the 
cause which has led English Orchidists to be wiped out of all participation 
in our late Professor’s Herbarium. We want a successor, and who is it to 
be? In the first place we want a man who has a good knowledge of 
Orchids, and what has been done with Orchids for some time past, and he 
must have a good knowledge of the Latin language, in order that he may 
be saved from the horrible names that appear to be becoming the fashion. 
He should reside in London, in order that he may be in a central position, 
and he must be no partisan, but be equally ready to work for everyone 
alike. I think this is a good opportunity for the R.H.S. If the Society 
either cannot or will not help, then Orchid growers should form themselves 
into a Society and make the best Orchid man they can find their life- 
president.” The Editor added, among some remarks that were not 
particularly complimentary to Orchidists: “In past days able botanists 
were glad to help the society, as no doubt they will be in the future.” 
Before the provisions of Reichenbach’s Will were known a: proposal had 
been made to commemorate his work, and a fund was being opened, but 
the movement dropped when it was found that the eccentric author had 
erected his own memorial. It was natural enough, but it left the future of 
the work totally unprovided for. Kew volunteered assistance in the matter 
of species, but there remained the question of horticultural varieties and 
hybrids, which were so rapidly coming to the front. How far Reichenbach 
attained his object cannot yet be judged,for many of his species still remain 
unidentified. And as soon as the twenty-five years closure had elapsed, and 
the Herbarium was opened, and about to be prepared for study (see 0-4» 
xxii. p- 206), a disastrous war broke out, which has postponed the event 
indefinitely. The work, however, was not allowed to drop, and after an 
interval of over three years the Orchid Review was founded. A quarter of a 
century is a long time, and much has since happened, which we will leavé 
THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
