74 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [ Marcu, 19c9. 
eight or ten inches high, and the flowers are light reddish brown. There is. 
another species of the genus in cultivation, namely M. javanica, Hook. f. 
(Bot. Mag., t. 7037), which has silvery veins and deep red flowers. It grows. 
well under the usual Ancectochilus treatment. 
THE ORCHID STUD-BOOK. | 
I HAVE just received the Orchid Stud-Book, and beg to congratulate the 
authors on the most interesting work achieved on behalf of Orchid lovers. 
and hybrid raisers. Although unfortunately compelled to abandon my 
hobby, my glass houses having been surrounded with high buildings which 
transformed my garden into a pit, and deprived my plants of air and sun- 
shine, I nevertheless retain the keenest interest in my old favourites. May I 
point out the omission from the ‘‘ Literature of Orchid Hybrids” of a paper, 
of but small importance, which appeared twelve years ago in the Semaine: 
Horticole (i. pp. 48, 58), under my name, and with the title ‘‘ A propos de 
Vhybridisation des Orchidées.” It was written without any scientific 
pretension, but rather from a practical and humouristic point of view, and 
has proved since to be quite prophetic with regard to the probable influence 
of Orchid-hybridising on the future of Orchid culture and trade. Might 
anyone have believed that the time, which I anticipated as a mere joke, 
should arrive so quickly, when Orchid seedlings should be sold by hundreds 
from asingle batch, with an additional discount for thousands! ‘‘ Orchids 
for the million” is no more a vain fancy. It has been the work of 
hybridisers to realise it, perhaps to the prejudice of importers, certainly to 
the great advantage of all those who sincerely admire the beauties of nature. 
The Orchid Stud-Book gives a complete record of their work, and they may 
be thankful to the authors for its production. 
J. Racor. 
Villenoy, France. 
A casual glance through the work satisfied me as to its value, but a- 
closer reading disclosed the stupendous character of the work involved in 
the compilation of such a book. The numerous notes of reference, the 
searching of records to ascertain the “ rock bottom ”’ name of hybrids, and the 
classification of synonyms, all speak eloquently of the labour and pains 
taken, and can only be fully appreciated by the Orchid expert. The thanks. 
of all Orchid lovers are due to you and your collaborator, and all Orchid 
growers must have the book, or they will be hopelessly out of date, though 
with its limited circulation I am afraid the labour can never be fully repaid. 
I am eagerly looking forward to the next instalment. 
H. THORP. 
Boothroyden, 
