208 THE ORCHID REVIEW’. 
A charming form of C. Mendelii comes from the collection of 
R. G. Thwaites, Esq., of Streatham, having blush pink sepals and petals 
pure white side lobes to the lip, and the front lobe brilliant amethyst. It 
is perfect in shape, and the colouring excellent. A light form of C. Mossia, 
having the front lobe of the lip nearly white except along the centre, where 
a little light purple marbling is retained, may be referred to the variety 
delicata. A remarkable form of Odontoglossum crispum with a nearly a 
square flat lip an inch broad may be called var. platychilum. The sepals: Ag 
and petals are broad and round, and the colour blush white, and there are : 
about three small brown blotches in front of the lip’s crest. 
Among other flowers sent may be mentioned Lzelio-cattleya X ‘ 
Schilleriana in excellent condition, and a good dark form of Paphiopedilum — 
Boxallii, from the collection of E. F. Clark, Esq., of Teignmouth, and two — 
flowers of P. exul from Isaac Carr, Esq., of Twerton-on-Avon. 
——_—— + ~m 1 
CURIOUS CROSSES. 
THE mention of seedlings obtained from crossing Lelia harpopbylla | 
with the pollen of Paphiopedilum villosum, and also from the reverse 
cross will, of course, be met with a smile of incredulity, which the raiser 
evidently anticipated when he remarked ‘“ Don’t say anything about it: : 
I don’t want to be laughed at.” The facts, however, had better come out, 
and we will only identify the raiser by saying that he is an expert hybridist. 
One day, feeling Pickwickian, and doubtless ruminating on some of the 
curious facts which have been recorded, he decided on making some really 
rash experiment, and seeing nothing more unpromising in flower he made | 
both the cross above named, and the reverse cross, using the viscid matter 
from the rostellum of the Lelia to make the pollen adhere to the dry 
stigma of the Paphiopedilum. Events soon showed that both crosses had 
taken, and in due time the capsules matured, and the seed, appearing 
good, was sown. Some of it germinated and the seedlings are now about — 
half grown. We have seen and examined them, and in each case they _ 
resemble the mother plant. It is, of course, easy to suggest that in some 7 
way self-fertilisation has taken place; but with a knowledge of the raisers 
skill and methods, and in view of the repeated experiments betwee? a 
Zygopetalum and Odontoglossum we look for another explanation. If not - 
crossed the flowers shrivel and fall. In the case of Zygopetalum crossed 
sy fi aes Pasar eds bo GUNS yo Se aeee has Mili caec litt fs ag. igen RE ea AD a RS Ee LGR aed Wee EMER y} rekd h, Jag ae Uae eee eg, Serta Lee iie! SS Vitek ah a a Pet eee 
cause, hence the desirability of obtaining the reverse cross. Here is 
something for the Hybridisation Conference to discuss; or at all events 
for our Hybridists to follow up on a large scale, and explain if possible. 
