142 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
but there were a few others of less importance. Many larger collections 
were then in existence, as for some time previously large importations had 
been continually arriving, and more rational methods of treatment were 
being gradually discovered and adopted. Many Orchids were then grown 
which are seldom seen at the present day, their places having been taken 
by showier things. 
Had Beaton lived a few years later it is probable that he would have 
been as enthusiastic a hybridiser of Orchids as he was of bedding Pelar 
goniums, in which connection his name will long be remembered. 
BEATONIAN. 
HYBRID ODONTOGLOSSUMS. 
THE genus Odontoglossum, so deservedly popular in gardens, has 
proved somewhat perplexing as regards its nomenclature. Several of the 
most popular species are not only very polymorphic, but seem to bt 
connected by a series of intermediate forms, which obscure their natural 
limits. The beautiful Odontoglossum crispum, for example, is connected 
in this way with O. gloriosum, O. luteopurpureum, and O. Lindleyanu™ 
three quite different species which, a priori, it would seem impossible t? 
confuse. And the same feature presents itself in other cases. After 
making due allowance for a certain amount of polymorphism in ied 
species themselves, we are driven to the conclusion that these intermediate 
forms are genuine natural hybrids, and have arisen through the inter 
crossing of the species by insect agency. 
The first of these intermediate forms appeared as long ag %® 1807; 
in an importation made by Messrs. Hugh Low and Co., of Clapton : 
was described by Reichenbach as O. x Andersonianum, and its rea 
to O. crispum and O. gloriosum were duly pointed out. Other forms 
successively came to light, slowly at first, but afterwards more laa 
as the importations increased in number and quantity. At the aoe 
day they form a very numerous class, and are represented 10 alm 
every collection. A large number of them have received specific opi 
with the result that the nomenclature of the genus has been thrown 
considerable confusion. orth 
Difficult as they undoubtedly are, these intermediate forms are * 
of careful study, with a view to the clearing up of theif oer 
parentage, which is still a matter of considerable uncertainty . 
they have proved very difficult to deal with. Some of the foe 
been spoken of as ‘confluent in series,” and the Messrs. Ye Jedget 
Manual of Orchidaceous Plants, have placed several of these acknow™ 
