Marcu, 1903. ] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 83 
Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Bush Hill Park, staged a fine group, which 
Teceived a Silver Flora Medal. Good examples of Cypripedium xX 
Euryades, C. X orphanum, and C. X Olivia were included, together with 
‘many Dendrobiums, Odontoglossums, and others. 
Mr. J. Douglas, Edenside, Great Bookham, showed some Lelia anceps 
varieties. 
Messrs. Stanley, Ashton & Co., Chase Side, Southgate, showed a pretty 
hybrid Odontoglossum, having reddish-brown markings, called O. x 
Ruckero-triumphans. 
‘THE Report of the Scientific Committee held on the same date contains 
tthe following references to Orchids :— 
CATTLEYA, RAPID FLOWERING.—Mr. Odell called attention to the very 
short time in which a plant exhibited at a show had taken to flower, for it 
was sown only eleven months ago. 
HyBrID CALANTHES AND THE MENDEL THEORY.—Dr. Masters showed 
purple and white flowers received from Mr. Chapman, who wrote as 
follows :—‘‘ The hybrid Calanthes, C. x Sibyl (pure white) and C. x 
Oakwood Ruby (the deepest coloured variety in cultivation) were both 
obtained from the same pod of seed, the original cross being between C. 
X Veitchii and C. [vestita] rubro-oculata. From selections of the best 
varieties derived from this batch of seedlings, and intercrossing among 
themselves, and continuing the interbreeding for four or five generations 
at Oakwood, these remarkable results were obtained. This is interesting 
at the present moment, seeing that Mendel’s Laws of Inheritance have been 
placed so prominently before the members of the Scientific Committee of 
the Royal Horticultural Society. It certainly goes to prove that, instead 
of reversion to the original crossing by interbreeding, the result has 
produced and placed before us the widest possible variations from the 
original cross, and from each other; showing that Mendel’s Laws cannot 
be applied [universally] in the way some of our specialists have indicated. 
It may be interesting also to state what effect interbreeding has had upon 
the constitution of these plants. It is impossible to describe the diminished 
-size of the bulbs, while the general constitution of both varieties is 
exceedingly delicate. C. x Oakwood Ruby I consider the most difficult 
subject to cultivate among the whole genus Calanthe. I regard it as one 
-of the most difficult Orchids I have ever had to deal with. I hope, before 
the season is over, to place before the Committee other results of inter- 
breeding of Orchids, which I think will go to prove the inapplicability of 
Mendel’s Laws to Orchids.” 
CYPRIPEDIUM SYNANTHIC.—He also showed drawings of the flower of 
‘Cypripedium villosum received from the Horticole Coloniale, having six 
