310 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
interesting, and we do not remember another instance showing quite the 
same remarkable character. One seedling may very well be said to be 
much like its father, and the other almost as much like its mother. The 
other cross mentioned is also remarkable. Its history has already been 
given, as above indicated. The seedlings ought to be varieties of C. x 
Tautzianum, which, however, they resemble very little, except in the 
dwarfed habit, which shows that the influence of C. niveum is not quite 
absent.—Ep. ] 
A HANDFUL OF NATAL ORCHIDS. 
SEVERAL species of South African Orchids have become familiar in gardens 
during recent years, and among them two or three from the Natal district. 
In 1886 Mr. R. W. Adlam published some notes under the above heading, 
in which he enumerated the following eight as among the showiest of the 
Natal species :—Eulophia ensata, Lindl., E. Dregeana, Lindl., Lissochilus 
Krebsii, Rchb. f., Satyrium candidum, Lindl., S. carneum, Lindl., Disa 
polygonoides, Lindl., D. macrantha, Lindl., and Disperis Fanniniz, Harv. 
The two Satyriums are in cultivation, as well as S. spherocarpum, Lindl., 
which is not enumerated. Concerning their culture Mr. Adlam remarks :— 
“Our Orchids flower in the moist season from November to March, during 
which time they enjoy much rain and sun alternately. From April to 
October rain is scarce—a slight shower every month on the average ; but— 
and I wish to draw special attention to this—the soil beneath the surface 
does not get dust-dry. Nearly all our Orchids, save Lissochili, delight in 
a heavy retentive black loam or red clay, interlaced with grass roots ; during 
winter the air is very clear and the dews are heavy, and of course the dry 
grass absorbs a good deal of moisture. There is no deep secret in the 
cultivation of terrestrial Orchids; we see Disas and Satyriums growing 
alongside of Gladioli and Gazanias, and surely anyone can grow the last 
named. Lissochili and Eulophias, from the nature of their rhizomes, have 
an indefinite life, but the members of the great tribe Ophrydez seem to live 
but a few years. Take Disa polygonoides for instance. The first year’s 
seedling will be a tiny plant about two inches high, the second year it 
increases in strength, the third it flowers, the fourth a stronger spike is sent 
up, and then the plant perishes. Disas and Satyriums, however, seed very 
freely, and there should be no difficulty in thus propagating them. I 
would advise firm potting in turfy loam with good drainage, and to meddle 
with them as little as possible. Keep the plants cool and moderately dry 
in the winter, and give heat with moisture in the summer.”—Gard. Chron» 
1886, xxvi., p. 58. 
