May, 1907.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
-_ 
on 
“WV 
ODONTOGLOSSUM ~x ARMAINVILLIERENSE. 
In his paper on Hybrid Odontoglossums (Journ. R. H. S., Genetics, p. 246) 
Mr. Crawshay remarks as follows:— 
_“‘In 1899 M. Jacob for Baron E. de Rothschild at Armainvilliers, Paris, 
owed a hybrid between crispum and nobile (O.R. vol. vii. 1899, p. 65) 
which was apparently lost, for I have never met anyone who has seen it. 
It has not been shown in England, nor do I know anyone who has ever 
seen a bloom. Records in those early days were kept so carelessly that it 
almost now seems a myth, and this hybrid is so well known under the name 
of ardentissimum that it seems futile to adhere in this case to pridrity of 
name ; for it almost appears to be a name only, owing to absence of records 
or exhibition. The reference given does not mention any spotting, and 
states that the flower was most like nobile.” 
In view of this remark it seems desirable to give a translation of the 
original record (Tourn. Soc. Nat. Hort. France, 1898, -p. 1240). At the meeting 
of the Société Nationale d’ Horticulture de France held on December 22nd, 
1898, was exhibited “by M. Jacob, head gardener to Baron Edmond de 
Rothschild, of Armainvilliers (Seine et Marne), a new Odontoglossum 
hybrid, under the name O. armainvillierense, obtained from O. Pescatores 
crossed with OQ. crispum. Plant superb, having flowers of perfect form, 
with very dark spots. It was awarded a First-class Certificate of Merit, 
with congratulations.” 
This does not read at all like a myth, and as it was in this self-same 
collection that the first-raised artificial hybrid Odontoglossum flowered, 
namely O. X Leroyanum (afterwards altered to O. X Wilckeanum var. 
- Leroyanum), we feel justified in retaining the original name. Mr. Crawshay 
cites “QO. ardentissimum, O.R., 1902, 209.” It there appears as O. X 
armainvillierense var. ardentissimum, and on the following page is the 
record of exhibition, certificate, and spotting. We hope some of our French 
readers can throw further light on the question, as it seems unlikely that 
such a plant has been completely lost. 
WOODLICE, 
Ir may interest some of your readers to know that Keating’s Powder has 
a most deadly effect on woodlice. I have had a perfect plague of them in 
my Odontoglossums lately, and after trying various remedies, I puffed a 
small quantity of the powder among the crocks, through the holes in the 
pots, with the most satisfactory results. 
I have taken in the Review from the beginning. 
ARTHUR S. NIX. 
Mount Charles, Truro. 
