THE ORCHID REVIEW. 35 
DIES ORCHIDIANZ. 
I was very glad to see an account of some of the principal varieties of 
Cattleya labiata and Cypripedium insigne in the last two numbers of the 
ORCHID REVIEW, as such enumerations are extremely useful, and it inspires 
one with the hope that other popular species may be taken in hand, some 
of which badly need it. Just a year ago I suggested Lelia anceps as a very 
suitable subject for such a review, and although now perhaps too late for 
the present season I hope it will not be overlooked on some future occasion. 
A multitude of varieties have been named, and I have a shrewd suspicion 
that one or two of the recent ones have been dealt with before. In this, 
however, Lelia anceps is not by any means singular, for the same may be 
said of several other popular Orchids, Cypripedium insigne not excepted, 
unless my memory is sadly at fault. It is highly desirable that the more 
distinct varieties should receive distinguishing names, but an unnecessary 
increase of synonymy should be avoided. I shall certainly hope to see the 
ORCHID REvIEW do something in this direction. 
Some time ago I alluded to the increased brilliancy of our collections 
during the dull season, owing to the introduction of three or four autumn- 
flowering species in quantity, and the increasing number of hybrids of the 
same class. A glance through the houses at the present time serves to 
emphasise the latter point. Here is a wealth of bloom for which we are 
entirely indebted to the hybridist, of which Calanthe x Veitchii, perhaps, 
stands first and foremost with its glorious racemes of lovely pink flowers. 
And it has some equally charming descendants, indeed some of them are 
decided improvements, and foreshadow a race of florist’s varieties in this 
beautiful group. Then we have a swarm of varieties of Cypripedium x 
Leeanum, a plant which flowered for the first time as recently as 1884, C. x 
nitens and its varieties, C. x Niobe, and C. x Buchanianum must also be 
included, as well as several Dendrobiums just commencing to flower. Other 
forms of recent appearance promise to be equally popular when they become 
better known, so that one wonders if there will be a dull season at all in 
a few years’ time. 
A note appeared at p. 39 of the last volume respecting Bulbophyllum 
auricomum, which was described as a very pretty little plant, with gracefully 
arching racemes of highly fragrant flowers, and a great favourite with the 
Burmese girls, who wear it in their hair. The other day I had the good 
fortune to stumble across a plant of this charming little Orchid, and can 
fully endorse what was said about it. It cannot be known to many people 
or it would surely be more common, Its pendulous racemes are as graceful 
