4 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [JANUARY, 1909. 
distinct, yet on analysis prove identical. To put the case differently, the 
same hybrid may be obtained in two different ways. For example, 
Odontoglossum nobile crossed with O. x spectabile would appear to be a 
distinct hybrid from O. x Rolfez crossed with O. X armainvillierense, but 
an analysis of parentage shows that both are composed of half O. nobile, 
a quarter O.crispum, and a quarter O. Harryanum. The two have been left 
under their respective names of O. X percultum and O. X Ossultoni, but 
it is at least a question whether they ought not to have been regarded as 
forms of one. And this is only a type of a series. Owing to these 
perplexing facts it becomes a question whether secondary and more 
complex hybrids may not in the future have to be treated in a different way — : 
from primary ones, or at all events have to be classified separately. The 
species in certain genera are now becoming so completely linked up by — 
chains of hybrids that we may have to treat these complex forms purely as 
florists’ flowers, selecting and naming only such as show distinct improve- 
ments on their predecessors and ignoring the remainder. Some such 
selective method seems almost inevitable in the near future.” 
Following the Preface is the ‘‘ History of Orchid Hybridisation,” in 
which the more important events are discussed in chronological sequence, 
and then come articles on ‘“‘ Generic Hybrids,” the ‘‘Specific Composition 
of Hybrids,” in which the various grades of complexity are discussed, and 
the ‘Variability of Hybrids.” Six pages are next devoted to the 
“Literature of Orchid Hybrids,” a chronological arrangement being 
followed, and fourteen others to a chapter on “‘ Hybridising and Raising 
Orchids from Seed.” 
The bulk of the work is naturally devoted to the enumeration of spedies 
and hybrids used as parents, and to that of their hybrid offspring, which 
fills 312 pages, both being alphabetical—the arrangement and details, ° 
however, have already been mentioned. The “Index of Synonyms”’ fills 
eleven closely printed pages, and is followed by the ‘ List of Illustrations,”’ 
120 in number. The Frontispiece, appropriately enough, shows a fine 
specimen of Calanthe X Dominyi, the first hybrid Orchid raised by hand. 
Finally, comes an arrangement for ‘‘ Future Supplements,” as 
follows :— 
“It is inevitable that a work of this kind, dealing with a subject which 
is progressing with such rapid strides, should very quickly become out of 
date. The preceding pages contain the hybrids recorded up to the end of 
1907, so far as their history could be ascertained, but a large number have 
been recorded since, and almost every meeting of importance brings 
additions to the list. It is intended to publish future additions in the 
OrcHID REVIEW, so as to prevent the wask from pe out of date. Those 
for 1908 have already been an 3 
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