292 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [OCTOBER, 1909, 
rostellum and the tips of the pollinia. ‘‘The insect was not so large as one of 
the pollinia, and after causing the explosion had not strength enough to 
remove them; it was thus punished for attempting a work beyond its 
strength, and perished miserably.” ae ee I 
(To be continued.) 
THE AMATEUR’S COLLECTION, 
AN AMATEUR’S PaGcE.—“ Tt has several times been suggested that an 
Amateur’s page would be an acceptable feature of the Review, this being 
specially devoted to those who have only a small house, and attend to their 
plants for the most part themselves. If some amateur of this kind who has 
gained sufficient experience could be induced to conduct such a page its 
success would probably be assured. But the most experienced were 
beginners once, and although the writer long ago passed the initiatory stage, 
he will endeavour to keep in view those early days, in writing the following 
notes for beginners in Orchid culture.” 
With these promising words commenced some time ago what I hoped 
would develop intoa regular monthly page for amateurs, but it was soon 
discontinued. Perhaps the writer became absorbed in the stream of new 
discoveries and forgot all about his early days. Orchidology seems such a 
progressive subject. Almost every issue of the Review tells us of the 
appearance of some interesting novelty or rarity, or the flowering of some 
striking hybrid, and perhaps we may occasionally see them at one of the 
horticultural meetings, but they are usually inaccessible, and we have to be 
content with more everyday Orchids. It is very interesting to know what 
the last new Odontioda is like, or to read about the latest discovery in 
Mendelism, but we like to think that our own little collections are not 
forgotten. There is something about them which is not quite provided for 
in the monthly Calendar of Operations, useful as it is as a cultural guide, 
and I think we ought to have an Amateur’s page as a regular feature. At 
all events here are a few ideas to begin with. 
ORCHID GROWING AS A Hossy.—A well-arranged Orchid house is a 
source of perpetual pleasure. Throughout the year, from January to 
December, the interest never flags. There is always something going on, 
something growing or flowering, and one might almost fancy that the 
seasons were abolished inside. There is something unique about the very 
appearance of the plants, their varied habit of growth, the peculiar shapes. 
of the pseudobulbs, the curious aérial roots which many of them possess, 
the way some are suspended from the roof, the infinite variety in the 
inflorescence and the shape and colour of the flowers, the curious 
resemblance to all kinds of animate and inanimate things, and especially to 
certain insects, invest them with a fascination which is exercised by few 
