42 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
seen too much of late. But what a name! and especially for a plant which 
is not likely to be lost sight of for many years to come. Of course I could 
not have been thinking of this case when last month I wrote :—‘‘ The 
alteration of names well known in gardens is an undoubted nuisance,” and 
especially when I added, “ but it is sometimes necessary,” and I strongly 
advise those who may have the plant to stick to the original name. 
Another very interesting event in the Orchid world has to be recorded, 
namely, the successful raising from seed of the beautiful albino Cypripedium 
Lawrenceanum, in the collection of Norman C. Cookson, Esq. The seedling — 
thus raised is figured in the Gardeners’ Chromicle for January 16th (pp. 36, 37; 
fig. 8), and it is very interesting to note that it has come true from seed. I 
have often wondered why some other rarities have not been multiplied in 
this way, and especially the beautiful Cypripedium Fairrieanum, on the 
attempted re-discovery of which much energy has been expended. I do not 
know if the attempt has yet been made, but if not, I would recommend the 
experiment to Mr. Cookson. There are plenty of hybrids from it, but I 
believe that in every case C. Fairrieanum has been the pollen parent, one 
or two records to the contrary notwithstanding. Some means of multiplying 
this beautiful species is a desideratum, and there is something besides credit 
awaiting the one who succeeds in accomplishing this. 
I observe a very instructive note in the Gardeners’ Chronicle for January 
23rd (p. 54), with respect to the original specimen of Selenipedium 
Boissierianum and that astounding act of Reichenbach in sealing up his 
Herbarium for the period of a quarter of a century after his death. In 
describing the plant, Reichenbach observed :—‘‘ We know of only one 
Specimen . . . ., andit gives us much pleasure to dedicate this beautiful 
plant, probably unique in the collections of Europe, to its proprietor, M. 
Edmund Boissier, to whom we are under so great obligations.” Com- 
menting on this, M. William Barbey, the present possessor of the Boissier 
Herbarium, remarks :—‘‘ Unfortunately, that unique specimen was never 
returned by Reichenbach to its proprietor. It lies buried with the rest of 
his Orchids for twenty-five years, along with other uniques which had been 
entrusted to him.”’ I have heard a similar story before with regard to other 
plants, and now that it is confirmed from an authentic source, I should 
think, if proper steps were taken, it would be possible to set aside the 
provisions of the will; at all events, so far that other people might recover 
their own property. Perhaps facts may yet come to light which will suggest 
a reason for Reichenbach’s preposterous act, which no one, not even its 
eccentric author, has yet satisfactorily explained. 
ARGUS. 
