260 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
This seems pretty concise and explicit, but I fancy that I have seen 
this variety before. In any case I gather from arecent note (ante, p. 204) that 
at least 157 varieties of C. Mossiz have already been named, and it would be 
interesting to know what steps were taken to compare this addition to the 
list with existing varieties before registering it as new. It illustrates one of 
the difficulties which must crop up in connection with any effective regis- 
tration scheme, which is the chief reason why I call attention to it. My 
own impression is that there is not much room left for new varieties of 
C. Mossie. 
A correspondent, alluding to the recent dispute about Odontoglossum 
crispum Triomphe de Rambouillet, suggests that I should obtain an 
authentic flower of this variety and let us know exactly what it is like, not 
from the painting, but from the living flower itself. It any reader possesses 
a plant of this variety—the real Simon Pure—I shall be much obliged if he 
will send me one of the next flowers it produces, and I will see what can 
be done. 
ARGUS. 
HYBRID ODONTOGLOSSUMS. 
(Continued from vol. viii., p. 301.) 
THE Mexican natural hybrids of this genus form an interesting little group 
which may now be considered, and, so far as I can make out, two distinct 
combinations are known, namely, O. Rossii with O. maculatum, and O. 
maculatum with O. apterum (nebulosum), with a third doubtful one between 
O. Rossii and O. Cervantesii. One or two others have been suggested, but 
I fail to recognize them. 
ODONTOGLOssuM X HuMEANUM seems to have been the first of the 
series which was recognized, being described as a new hybrid as early as 
1876, when its history was thus given by Reichenbach :—‘‘ When I opened 
the box containing the peduncle and a leaf of this plant lately, by candle- 
light, I immediately was struck by the similarity of the flower to O. 
cordatum, though lip and bracts were those of O. Rossii. Shortly after 
came the letter of Mr. Harry Veitch explaining its history. This gentleman 
was some days since visiting at Mr. Burnley Hume’s place, to see the 
Orchids. There the novelty flowered. He writes thus :—‘ I could not help 
thinking, from the formation of the sepals and the colouring, it must be a 
natural cross with O. cordatum! Thus I begged the bloom and sent it to 
you yesterday. It is a very curious plant at any rate, and the flowers differ 
both in form and colouring from any Rossii I have ever seen.’ I was much 
gratified to read Mr. Veitch had just my own feeling. . . . The flowers 
