174 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
as they stand, and if people would only follow them there would not be 
much to complain of.” 
As to the kinds of name to be given, the same article observes: * It is, 
as a rule, not desirable to apply to a plant a name descriptive of its 
peculiarities, or indicative of its history. . . . A name should be a 
name and nothing else. It should not be description ; still less should it 
be a detached fragment of sustory: Nothing but confusion arises from the 
attempt to blend with d ipti and specially with the 
history of the plant.” Now, I confess this is a strange and startling 
doctrine, if it means what it really says. What about Vanda coerulea, and 
Broughtonia sanguinea? Is not Selenipedium caudatum descriptive? Is 
Coryanthes | rys obj bl because it describes the peculiarities 
of the species? Does noe Phal t contain a fragment of 
history ? These are only cases selected at random, and might be multiplied 
ad infinitum, but where does the confusion come in? I have read similar 
remarks before, or I should be inclined to pass them over. As it is I 
should much like a few examples of the names which the writer is tilting at 
together with some of the ideal names recommended, for I confess that I 
cannot follow him. 
The writer is also strongly of opinion that the Latin system of nomen- 
clature should not be followed in the naming of hybrids, but that the 
practice of the florists should be scoeeaginn With this I do not agree, and 
it is not in accord with the i of the N lature Com- 
mittee above alluded to. 
On former occasions I have gone pretty fully 
into this question of the vernacular, and have not time to follow it further 
at present, so will merely refer the writer to pages 12, 200, and 228 of the 
last volume of this work, which have some bearing on the question. 
My last month’s correspondent will doubtless be looking out for some 
remarks about the “blue Cattleya.” I have seen it. It was exhibited by 
Mr. Smee at the Royal Horticultural Society's meeting on May 5th last 
With admirable foresight Mr. Smee had pasted the catalogue description 
on a piece of cardboard, and exhibited it with the plant. It was a wise 
percaution, for otherwise I should not have recognised it, and I suspect 
others would have been in the same predicament. Will some one send me 
an essay on that “ blue Cattleya?” 
ARGUS: 
