THE ORCHID REVIEW. 309 
likely ia the near future to supersede all other materials in which to grow 
Orchids. Iam still inclined to this way of thinking, having this season 
given it a wide and varied trial. All kinds of Orchids have been tried; 
some have certainly done better than in the ordinary mixture of peat and 
moss, whilst others have succeeded equally well. The former include 
Odontoglossums, Oncidiums, Miltonias, Cypripediums, and similar kinds ; 
the latter, Cattleyas, Dendrobiums, Angrecums, Aerides, and such kinds. 
I can therefore further recommend growers to try it for themselves, a few 
plants, at the time when repotting again is necessary. Get the pure leaves 
collected this autumn and stacked separately in a heap by themselves—in 
the open, of course—in spring they should then rub up a bit smaller and be 
ready for use. It is not necessary to use anything with them, and certainly 
not soil for the majority of Orchids. Use fewer crocks as drainage, and 
always surface with a good layer of clean sphagnum moss. 
HYBRID LYCASTES. 
Ir the remarkable Epiphronitis x Veitchii could have appeared as a natural 
hybrid one wouldscarcely have guessed its origin. Its resemblance to Sophro- 
nitis grandiflora is remote, and only traced with difficulty, yet we know that 
it is actually a hybrid seedling from it. Ofcourse the pollen parent, Epiden- 
drum radicans, grows in a totally different region, and the only object of the 
remark is to indicate one of the difficulties that may be met with in the 
study of natural hybrids. Reichenbach thought that Lycaste Smeeana 
might by a natural hybrid between L. Skinneri and L. Deppei, but after 
seeing the plant from several different sources, including the original one, [ 
felt doubtful about its origin, and had a suspicion that it might not be a 
natural hybrid at all, adding :—‘‘ Further evidence is required” (supra, 
p- 101). Additional material is now, fortunately, forthcoming, and in the 
hope of clearing up the doubtful point I have again gone through the whole 
of the Guatemalan species, and with some interesting results. 
Mr. R. Eichel, Eldwick, Bingley, has sent to Kew for determination the 
flower of a plant said to have “appeared amongst an importation of L. 
Skinneri,” and it is noted that ‘‘the bulbs are very distinct, and short, like 
those of L. Deppei; the foliage also resembles the variety named.” Messrs. 
F. Sander & Co., St. Albans, also send a flower of what is ‘‘ supposed to be 
Lycaste Smeeana,” together with a flower of L. Skinneri for comparison. 
The first mentioned flower evidently belongs to L. x hybrida. The 
sepals are broad, light rose above and spotted with white below ; the petals 
bear lines of numerous purple dots; the front lobe of the lip is regularly 
spotted with purple on a white ground, but with the narrow Deppei shape ; 
