I4v THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
crossed with C. Boxallii, formed pods with apparently good seed, while the 
reverse crosses formed pods which, when ripe, contained nothing but 
shrivelled ovules. Evidently the stigma had been irritated by the act of 
pollination, and the pollen-tubes had commenced to grow downward, 
causing a considerable swelling ; but from some cause or other they were 
unable to reach the ovules; fertilization, or the development of the embryo, 
consequently not taking place, hence the shrivelled ovules. 
Lelia Digbyana is a most interesting subject for scientific experiments. 
Quite recently I have seen several beautifully-prepared microscopical slides 
of seed-pods, where the placenta had been choked by the pollen-tubes 
swelling out of proportion, probably through the action of the pollen which 
had been used. 
Various are the ways in which seedlings germinate and thrive in most 
unlikely places. During my travels I have come across some most eccentric 
examples. One gentleman used a small house solely for the purpose. The 
stages were filled with broken bricks the size of a hen’s egg, intermixed 
with charcoal, whereon the seed had been sown. The sight astounded me 
at first, but on inquiry into the parentage I found most of the seedlings 
were crosses of Lelia tenebrosa, L. cinnabarina, L. purpurata, and some 
Dendrobiums, which germinate pretty freely. The house is a small 
structure sunk into the ground, almost like a pit, and well adapted for the 
purpose. 
In a Continental establishment which I visited last year I saw the most 
wonderful crop of seedlings, which interested me very much. Blocks of well- 
seasoned pine-wood, three inches in diameter and four inches in height, stood 
upright in ordinary saucers of water. The seed was sown on the roughly 
cut flat surface, germinated freely, and appeared to be very healthy. I 
received very scanty information, but learned that the seedlings are pricked 
off into well-prepared Polypodium fibre, to which a little silver sand is added. 
I heard of this method several years ago, and tried a similar experiment, 
only in a half-hearted fashion and without success, but I am convinced that 
the idea is a good one, and well worth trying. 
It is difficult to give in an article all the little points of detail which 
require attention, gained by years of experience, though a_ personal 
explanation would make many points clear. I have had invitations from 
Mr. D. B. Rappart and other gentlemen, who have written me on the 
subject, and I am pleased that the results have been satisfactory. On 
January 1st I was entrusted with sowing the seed of a most remarkable 
cross, Bletia hyacinthina x Coelogyne cristata alba. The seed germinated 
fairly well, and the young seedlings are now making a tiny blade of leaf. 
No doubt they will be interesting, and carefully watched by the owner, 
who takes a great interest in Orchids. 
