THE ORCHID REVIEW. 85 
CATASETUM x SPLENDENS. 
Some further facts have come to hand respecting this remarkable 
Catasetum, which has been so much in evidence of late. A plant has now 
flowered at Glasnevin, with Mr. F. W. Moore, who at once recognised it 
by the description. The flowers are ivory-white, but the lip less expanded 
than in the typical form. A rather distinct variety has also appeared in the 
collection of the Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, M.P. The flowers are much 
like those of C. x s. flavescens (supra, ii. p. 357), both in shape and colour, 
but the petals are densely covered with small red-brown spots. It may be 
called C. x s. punctatissimum. The lip is deep yellow and the mouth 
scarcely an inch across. 
The last number of the Lindenia also contains figures of seven forms. of 
C. x splendens, though four of them appear under different names. The 
sign of hybridity is omitted in every case, though with a single exception 
they are considered to be natural hybrids between C. macrocarpum and C. 
Bungerothii, a singular confirmation of what I wrote three months ago. 
The exception is C. imperiale, L. Lind. and Cogn., and of this Prof. 
Cogniaux asks :—Is it a variety of C. Bungerothii, a distinct type, or a 
natural hybrid? adding that categorical affirmations on these points are 
very easy, but are not of much scientific importance. I would, however, 
reply that this plant shows the same unmistakable combination of 
characters as the rest of the series to which it belongs. The five forms to 
‘which specific names are given cannot be distinguished by any definite 
characters and four of them are admitted to be of the same origin and 
parentage. The additional material which has come to hand only confirms 
the view originally expressed that this polymorphic series has arisen from 
the intercrossing of C. macrocarpum and C. Bungerothii by insect agency, 
and thus are forms of one polymorphic hybrid. The following varieties are 
additional to those already noticed :— 
C. x s. album, L. Lind. and Cogn.—An ivory-white form, like the original 
one which appeared with Messrs. Hugh Low and Co. 
C. xX s..atropurpureum, Cogn.—A_ remarkable variety with flowers 
wholly dark purple, except a yellow area round the mouth of the sac. - It is 
typical in structure. - : 
C. x s. Alicie, L. Lind. and Cogn.—Sepals and petals bearing numerous 
dull purple spots, which are somewhat confluent in lines, on a pale whitish 
green ground. Lip white with the cavity of the spur yellow. 
C. x s. mirabile (C. mirabile, Cogn.).—Fairly typical in shape, but the 
lip more saccate and somewhat reflexed in front. Sepals and petals light 
green, the latter bearing numerous purple-brown spots, which are confluent 
at the base. Lip yellow with a large purple-brown blotch on either side at 
the base, formed of confluent spots. : 
