116 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
was not quickly forthcoming. Phaius X Owenianus, P. X amabilis, and P. 
Xx Marthae are striking examples of the hybridist’s skill, and if intercrossed 
with some of the brilliant-coloured Calanthes, they should prove a welcome 
addition to our stock of garden hybrids. And as they are so easily raised 
and so quickly reach the flowering stage, there is all the more inducement 
to take them in hand. 
Masdevallias are rather difficult subjects to deal with, though Captain 
T. C. Hinks, Terrace House, Richmond, Yorks, has been very successful 
in raising some beautiful hybrids. Several times I had the pleasure of 
having a chat with the gallant Captain while he lived at Breckenborough, 
near Thirsk, and admired how skilfully he manipulated these tiny seedlings, 
scarcely visible to the naked eye. The seed is very small indeed, and 
should be carefully watched, lest it should disappear. A controversy with a 
friend led me to make an experiment lately, to raise the seed in heat, 
though I feel convinced a cool or slightly intermediate temperature is more 
suitable. Masdevallia Veitchii, M. Harryana, M. ignea, M. Shuttleworthii, 
and M. tovarensis are responsible for our best garden hybrids. Is it 
possible to fertilise M. Harryana or Veitchii with the Chimera section? is 
a question I have often been asked. My experience leads me to believe it 
is not feasible, though I may be wrong. However, cases have been recorded 
where M. Harryana and M. Lindeni have been fertilised with the pollen of 
M. bella (Orch. Rev., II., p. 18 and 262), and in one case seedlings have 
been obtained. No doubt the successful raiser will watch these seedlings 
with the greatest possible interest. 
Sophronitis grandiflora has come in lately for a good share of attention, 
the variety named coccinea appears to be the best for hybridising purposes. 
As a rule the plant is a fair seed-bearer, but the seed when sown requires 
infinite attention. In fertilising a Sophrontis flower the pollen of a 
Cattleya or Lelia should be carefully cut to fit the stigma, while the pollinia 
of several Sophronitis flowers are required to fertilise a Cattleya or Lelia 
bloom. 
(To be concluded. ) 
RENANTHERA COCCINEA. 
THIS quaint and interesting Orchid is now in bloom with us. The plant is 
bearing sixty blooms on a five-branched raceme, which are of a bright brick- 
red colour. It is the more interesting because of its peculiar mode of 
growth. Our plant is climbing a pole about nine feet high—a la mode de Speed 
de Chatsworth—and is growing in a span-roofed structure, 40 feet by 20 feet by 
II feet, and this where the temperature during the continuous winter of 
