6s THE ORCHID REVIEW. [SEPTEMBER, 1906, 
coloration of the pollen parent in their flowers, 46 showed a predominance 
of the seed bearer, 73 were intermediate in colour, and three had 
characteristics possessed by neither parent. It was therefore concluded 
that no general rule of dominance, so far as the coloration of the hybrid is 
concerned, can be formulated. | 
The Conference on Wednesday, August Ist, was limited to the morning 
sitting, and included no Orchid paper, but one on ‘‘ The bearing of 
Hybridisation on the Origin of New Forms,” by Dr. E. Tschermak, of 
Vienna, has a bearing on Orchidology. He remarked that up till a few 
‘years ago it was the opinion of scientists that hybridisation was of no great 
importance in the production of new forms with reference to a study of the 
descent or pedigree, though practical breeders had long learnt to regard 
scientific crossings as a means which in certain cases influenced the produc- 
tion of apparently new forms. In any case no general laws seemed to exist 
In order to secure the commercial benefits of lucky accidents, the cloak of 
secrecy was by many breeders thrown over the origin of their new products. 
Consequently even now many forms were wrongly described as hybrids or 
bastards. On the other hand many novelties, the origin of which had not 
been given, led back with certainty or probability to an intentional or 
unintentional cross. Already hybridisation possesses a much greater 
importance for the formation of new groups from the possibility of a produc- 
tion of new Mendelian combinations of characteristics and component 
characteristics. A striking feature in the significance of hybridisation 
showed itself in the occasional unexpected evolution of wholly new forms by 
crossing. 
After other papers, the Conference adjourned until next day, to enable the 
delegates to visit the residence of Sir Trevor Lawrence, at Burford, whence 
they were conveyed by special train. After luncheon, which was provided 
in a marquee on the lawn, the visitors wandered about the delightful garden, 
the fine Orchid collection forming one of the special features of interest. 
Nature, between plants and micro-organisms. He had attempted © 
estimate the extent of this connection, and the degree of dependen 
Orchid and its fungus might have to each other. This experiment showee 
him that the fungi of Orchids could live apart from the roots in whi 
generally lodged, Ifa small fragment were cut from a contaminat 
ch they a 
ed root 
