354 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [ DECEMBER, Ig12. 
enlarged and special number. Some other developments are in 
contemplation, as we desire to make the work representative of every 
phase of Orchidology. In this we invite the co-operation of all lovers and 
growers of Orchids, and we hope to receive their continued support and 
interest. The proposal to prepare a General Index to the twenty volumes, 
on the lines mentioned last month (p. 322), has brought us several letters 
of approval, and it is interesting to find that an American reader has 
prepared a Card Index of cultural details for his own use. We have 
decided to prepare a General Index, and will give particulars when the 
matter is further matured. Meantime we invite suggestions from our readers. 
THE ORCHID CONFERENCE. 
Tue Orchid Conference was held in the Lecture Room at the Royal 
Horticultural Hall, Westminster, on Wednesday, November 6th, before a 
good attendance, J. Gurney Fowler, Esq., Treasurer of the Society, in the 
Chair. In opening the proceedings, at 11 a.m., the Chairman alluded to 
the magnificent show of autumn-flowering Orchids in the Hall, and 
remarked that the proposal to hold a Conference in connection with it had 
been well received, and the present meeting was the result, four important 
subjects being down for discussion. 
The first paper was by Prof. F. Keeble, M.A., F.L.S., on the Physiology 
of Fertilisation. The subject was illustrated by a number of lantern slides 
showing phases of the result of pollination, and the lecturer remarked on 
the series of events following the application of the pollen to the stigma, 
and in the case of Orchids the considerable time that elapsed before 
fertilisation was effected. Pollination supplied a stimulus to development 
of the ovules, the pollen tubes grew down the tissue of the style, and 
ultimately the nuclei of the male and female cells fused together, forming a 
single cell, or zygote, which then matured as a seed, and gave rise to the 
future plant. It was formerly thought that the ovule could not develop 
without the influence of the male element, but it was now known that 
many plants can produce seed without fertilisation, the process being known 
as parthenogenesis. Zygopetalum Mackayi had been pollinated by Odonto- 
glossum and various other Orchids, but the resulting seedlings showed no 
hybrid character at all, which suggested a stimulative influence only. 
The influence of pollination might be threefold—(z1) fertilisation; (2) 
stimulation; and (3) chemical. 
In the subsequent discussion, Mr. J. O’Brien mentioned how the 
application of mineral dust to the stigma of Miltonia Russelliana was 
sufficient to make the segments of the flower wither, and mentioned a 
statement by the late Consul Lehmann that the commoner varieties of 
Colombian Odontoglossums found growing in exposed places were some- 
