292 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
DIES ORCHIDIANZ., 
On two different occasions (pp. 196, 226) I have called attention to the new 
Dendrobium Victoria-Reginz, and the opinions which have been expressed 
about it, some of them not quite so flattering as the one which announced 
its discovery. But all were agreed upon one particular, and that was that 
the colour—at all events what there was of it—was “ blue,” ‘rich dark 
blue,” ‘‘ccerulean blue,” “decidedly of the blue tint represented by the 
collector,” and it appeared that at last we had really obtained another 
Orchid of this much desiderated colour. Judge of my astonishment, 
therefore, to read the remark at page 277—‘‘ The colour of the upper part 
of the segments I should describe as violet-purple—it is certainly not 
blue.” This is the unkindest cut of all, for we could put up with a good 
deal in a really blue Orchid, even if it ‘“ lacks the influence of some of the 
choicer East Indian Dendrobes to place it in the front rank.” Violet-purple, 
however, is not common among Dendrobiums, and as the plant is not yet 
fully developed, it may be seen to better advantage later on. And, of 
course, the hybridist, who is always looking out for something novel in colour, 
will take it in hand, and if he can succeed in crossing it on to some of 
the large-flowered, free-growing Dendrobes of the nobile group, or some of 
the hybrids derived from it, the result is sure to be interesting. 
Talking of blue Orchids reminds me that another “blue Dendrobium ” 
is announced, Dendrobium celeste, to wit (see page 267). I hope it is 
more deserving of the title than a certain Odontoglossum to which the 
same specific name was given. The flowers are said to be entirely dark 
blue, with the exception of the ovary and spur, which are purple. It is true 
that they are only half or a third as large as in Dendrobium Victoria- 
Reginz, but then that, it was admitted, had some white in the flower. And 
look at the habitat—‘ among quite European vegetation; Oaks, Rhodo- 
dendrons, Azaleas, and Myrtles being its only companions.” Why we might 
almost grow it outside. The altitude is also given with a precision that is 
delightful in its exactness—812 5 feet. Had it been a foot more or less it would 
probably have been stated. It is true that it is said to grow many hundred 
miles distant from D. Victoria-Regine, which itself is assumed rather than 
stated to be of Philippine origin, but that is a mere detail. And to think 
that the two were announced within a fortnight of each other, by the same 
collector. One might almost exclaim “ Blue Orchids are cheap to-day.” 
The vexed question of the degeneration of Orchids under cultivation, 
and the steps which should be taken to prevent it, has come prominently to 
the front again, and I have read the discussion on the subject with great 
