42 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
plant is now entirely suited to its habitat, and flourishes to perfection 
in places where few other Orchids succeed in establishing themselves. 
Instead of a hollow pseudobulb, the Coryanthes provides an oval mass of 
fibrous roots, as distinct from those so well known in the other Orchids as 
their object is different. In the Coryanthes the ants establish themselves, 
filling up the interstices to make a waterproof nest, whence they are ready 
to issue on the least alarm of an enemy. Being carnivorous they can do 
the plant no harm, but, on the contrary, are so useful that without them 
it suffers from cockroaches and other pests. This is easily proved by 
specimens brought- to our gardens, where, on account of the collectors 
having removed their useful tenants by soaking them in water, they are 
particularly subject to the attacks of insects and rarely thrive for any length 
of time.” The fertilisation of this Orchid is not less marvellous than its 
manner of growth, but as it was given in detail at p- 338 of our last volume 
it need not be repeated here. 
The scarcity of female as compared with male flowers of Catasetum is 
well known, in connection with which the following note is suggestive :— 
‘““In some species of Catasetum there are male and female flowers quite 
distinct in appearance the one from the other, and what is most curious, 
borne on the same plant at different times. It appears as if the Orchid is 
able to choose whichever of these it is able to bring to perfection. The 
male necessarily requires a less continuous strain, as it is saved from the 
labour of ripening the capsules, which takes several months. When, there- 
fore, the plant is comparatively weak, only male flowers are produced, but 
when the pseudobulbs are plump and strong, females.” 
These extracts serve to show the character of the work generally, for the 
numerous other subjects are treated in an equally pleasing style. In short, 
the work is a worthy companion to the writings of Wallace, Bates, Belt, 
and others who have so graphically depicted for us the wonders of tropical 
nature. An Index would have been a decided improvement. 
Cypripediums. By R. I. Measures, Cambridge Lodge, Flodden Road, S.E. 
Third edition, pp. 62. Published by the Author. 
This handy little booklet contains an alphabetical list of species, 
varieties, and hybrids of Cypripedium, with the parentage of the latter. 
The Preface states :—‘‘ Care has been taken to include all species and most 
hybrids, with their registered parentage, that are in cultivation up to date. 
There are many hybrids under two or more names, and others that have 
not been registered.” In the case of hybrids the raiser is also given, while 
species have the native country added. Species not in cultivation are, 
however, included, and in some cases the known habitats omitted, as C. 
Chica and C. débile. C. palmifolium, too, is from Guiana, not ‘ Choco.” 
We also note one or two: names without any information, as C. Diadem 
