THE ORCHID REVIEW. 367 
] 
respect to its progressive d p , places the tribe Ophrydez next to 
F but an ination of its highly complex structure shows it 
to be far more remote. In fact Ophrydez differs from the rest of the Order 
in having a basal caudicle and gland, and the anther-cells completely adnate 
to th persistent, and often i with the rostellum; and from a 
variety of considerations must be placed at the head of the series. The 
remaining tribes, Neottiew, Epidendree, and Vande, agree in having an 
operculate or deciduous anther, and the caudicle and gland, if developed, 
apical. Of these Vandez occupies the highest position, and Neottiee the 
lowest, and it is among the latter that the next allies of the Diandre must 
be sought. Of the half-dozen subtribes into which the Neottiee may be 
divided, Corymbiez clearly. occupies the lowest position, having precisely 
the habit of Apostasiez, and although the column is much developed all 
the parts of the flower are of relatively simple organisation. It contains 
two genera, Corymbis and Tropidia, neither of which are in cultivation. 
From these there is a pretty easy transition to the Vanillee, Arethusee, 
and Spiranthez, and groups of more complex structure. It is very interest- 
ing to be able thus to trace some of the steps by which the Order has been 
progressively modified, and it is by this means that the structure of the higher 
and more complex genera can best be traced. Without such aids it would 
be a very difficult matter to trace the homologies of some of the complex 
structures found in the most highly specialised Orchid flowers. 
R. A. ROLFE. 
oe 
SOBRALIA LINDENI. 
From time to time some distinct Orchid gets established in cultivation 
which has never been botanically described, and the above Sobralia 
appears to be one of these. Its history was thus given in the Gardener’s 
Chronicle about a year ago (1895, xviii., p. 424) :—‘‘ Under this name a few 
fresh imported tufts of Sobralia were sold by Messrs. Linden, of Brussels, 
at Messrs. Protheroe and Morris’ rooms in Cheapside, on September r2th, 
1893. A flower from a specimen then purchased is kindly forwarded by 
C. J. Lucas, Esq., Warnham Court, Horsham, and, as Mr. Lucas says, it 
is a most charming species. The flower is large, the sepals and petals of a 
delicate blush white, and the lip is also blush white on the basal half, but 
the front portion is of a rich deep crimson-purple, shading off into a 
nearly blue tint towards the margin. This finely coloured area is 
traversed by well-defined branching white lines, which make it a very 
distinct feature. At a distance the flower resembles a light form of 
Cattleya Luddemanniana.” This very plant received an Award of Merit 
from the Royal Horticultural Society, on October 15th, 1895. The species 
