Juty, 1907.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 219 
above all to clear up any synonomy that may exist from all or any causes. 
There is another factor that may prompt us to keep up the system of 
synonomy, and that is to keep up value, as since Mons. Vuylsteke raised 
O. Wilckeanum the value of the natural hybrids has fallen heavily, for 
taken as a body they are inferior to the garden-raised forms, though among 
these latter I know of only two which have white grounds, whereas there 
are several among the former, but most of them have been named 
“crispum.” That elastic term has been stretched beyond all reason, but I 
am glad to say it is being gradually narrowed down. 
DE B. CRAWSHAY. 
MEXICAN ORCHIDS. 
A SMALL collection of Mexican Orchids has been received by W. E. 
Ledger, Esq.. of Wimbledon, two of which, a Gongora and a Notylia—the 
species at present uncertain—have just flowered. They were sent by J. L. 
Hermessen, Esq., Plantacion La Junta, Sanborn, Vera Cruz, together 
with some very interesting notes, from which, with Mr. Ledger’s permission, 
the following extracts have been made. A good many of the Orchids from 
this region are known, but it is probable that a careful search among the 
smaller kinds would reveal some interesting novelties. These notes throw 
an important light upon the conditions under which some of the species 
grow, which should afford some useful hints as to their culture. The Mr. 
Harvey mentioned is a gentleman whose acquaintance our readers have 
already made. 
“The greatest number and the most beautiful of the Mexican Orchids 
are found at an elevation of between 4,000 and 6,000 feet. At the lower 
edge, extending upwards 1,000 feet, one finds the beautiful Lelia anceps, 
in many varieties, ranging from deep rose pink to pure white, with rich 
purplish crimson labellum, several of the Stanhopeas, the pretty Oncidium 
ornithorhynchum, O. Cavendishianum, and several others. Then, growing 
near by, on mossy rocks, occurs Sobralia macrantha, which Mr. Harvey 
describes as a glorious sight when seen with its thousand reed-like stems, 
waving gently in the soft mountain air, each stem crowned with a large 
Cattleya-like flower and many unopened buds. These plants grow 
associated with a host of ferns, beautiful Lycopods, Selaginellas, Pingui- 
culas, the pretty Cypripedium Irapeanum, and numerous gems of the 
Gesneracez. One also frequently meets the pretty Lycaste Deppei and 
the very fragrant L. aromatica, growing in immense masses. 
‘Going up still higher, the air being appreciably cooler, one comes 
across trees absolutely covered with masses of the lovely Odontoglossum 
Rossii, in an infinity of colour, ranging from deep pink to white, with the 
usual chocolate-coloured markings at the base of the sepals. And higher 
