THE ORCHID REVIEW. 229 
recent occasions Sobralia macrantha alba has been exhibited, and recorded 
in the gardening papers, but the Orchid Review always calls it Sobralia 
macrantha Kienastiana. ‘‘ Why is this?”’ This is obviously a question 
for the editorial department, though, so far as the facts are concerned, the 
matter is easily explained. Seven years ago the late Prof. Reichenbach 
described the white form of this species as S. macrantha Kienastiana, and 
our Editor, who, I believe, objects to several names for the same thing, 
evidently thinks it right to preserve it. But the former, you say, is so 
appropriate. What of that? Was not Dendrobium transparens album 
appropriate ? Yet it re-appeared as D. transparens Souvenir d’Alec. And 
are the names Cymbidium Lowianum viride and C. L. Mandaianum more 
appropriate than C. L. concolor? No! Appropriateness is not a strong 
point in modern Orchid nomenclature—at all events, so far as varieties are 
concerned. 
And now for the last question. ‘‘Can a variety originate by good 
culture alone ?’’ Ofcourse not, you say; the boy who weeds the garden 
can tell you that. But wait a minute! There isa hybrid Dendrobium of 
which a stock was raised by propagation from the original plant, and the 
other day one of these propagated pieces was not only exhibited as a 
distinct variety, but also certificated as such ; and, of course, a record was 
kept for the benefit of future historians. It was well cultivated, of course, 
but how can it be distinguished as a variety? My advice is, don’t try to 
distinguish it. F 
The fact is, this question of varietal names is a difficult one. Such 
names are absolutely necessary for horticultural purposes, in order to dis- 
tinguish our plants. But they should be used as a means to this end only, 
and according to fixed principles. They should be short and concise, and 
as descriptive as possible. That is to say, if the character can in any way 
be indicated by the name, it should be done, though in other cases compli- 
mentary names might be used. When a new name is given, a little pains 
should be taken to ascertain if the variety has already received one, and its 
characters should invariably be recorded, so as to give others an oppor- 
tunity of recognising it should they happen to possess it. And, above all, 
an unnecessary multiplicity of names should be avoided. As to their form, 
I think they should be latinised, so as to conform to the generic and specific 
name. Were these rules carefully carried out, varietal names would be of 
real service, instead of meaningless jargon, as too many of them are at 
present. 
As to one of the points mentioned above, a few more words must be 
Said. Some people, I know, wish to see varieties named in the vernacular, 
