168 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
of the pollen tubes. It is therefore easy to see how an apparently good 
capsule may develop without containing a single seed, or even without the 
ovules having ever been fertilised. Even when good seed is present the 
capsules invariably contain a large number of shrivelled ovules, and there 
is good reason to believe that the majority of these abortive ovules have 
never been impregnated by the pollen tubes. It is now evident that the 
pollen of many Orchids serves to stimulate the development of the ovary 
without effecting the fertilisation of the ovules, hence the large number 
of apparently good capsules which contain no seeds is easily explained. 
A large number of these abortive crosses have been made but never 
recorded, though a record would be valuable as a guide to others. Much 
of the work at the present time is proceeding along well-defined lines, with 
definite objects in view, and under these conditions rapid progress is being 
made. But we are glad to know that a few rash experiments are also being 
made, as in this way some quite unlooked-for results may be attained. The 
subject is an extremely interesting one, and we hope our readers will favour 
us with their experiences, as much yet remains to be recorded. 
ODONTOGLOSSUM x ANDERSONIANUM AT ROSEFIELD, 
SEVENOAKS. 
A series of forms of this hybrid from the collection of De Barri Craw- 
shay, Esq., Rosefield, Sevenoaks, well illustrates its extreme variability, 
which was considered in detail at p. 171 of our last volume. In fact, 
scarcely any two seem exactly alike, and any attempt to arrange them under 
varietal names seems well-nigh impracticable. The extremes of variation 
in any direction may easily be so distinguished, but for the host of 
intermediate forms we do not think such a course either desirable or 
necessary. . 
The finest form sent is one called De Barri Crawshay’s variety, which 
received an Award of Merit on April roth last. It is characterised by having 
a very large blotch about the middle of each sepal and cone or two smaller 
ones near the base, and by the long attenuate lip which suddenly narrows 
just above the broad base. The flower measures over three and a quarter 
inches across the petals, and both the sepals and petals are broad. The 
raceme bore twelve flowers. 
A second form has smaller blotches, a little yellow in the ground, and 
the ordinary shaped lip. A third has a little rosy suffusion and very 
numerous small spots, and this is nearest to O. x Ruckerianum. It bears 
sixteen flowers. The next has a light yellow ground with many small spots, 
and thus is a form of O. x hebraicum. It is convenient to retain these 
original names for so extremely variable a plant, though it must be clearly 
