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REPORT ON THE 



On the Nomenclature of Orchids. By H. N. Ridley, M.A. 



I do not think that there can be any doubt but that 

 the state of the nomenclature of Orchids at the present day 

 leaves much to be desired in the way of simplification. The 

 immense size of the order, numbering apwards of five thousand 

 recorded species, the intricacy of the synonymy and the rapidity 

 with which the number of known species has been increasing 

 during the last few years, accounts for this in great measure. It 

 has been almost impossible for our orchidologists, few as they 

 have been, to arrange or systematize to any extent, the species 

 of any of the larger genera in an accessible form, on account of 

 the constant and very rapid accessions to our knowledge of the 

 species. The result of this is that every year the difficulties 

 increase, and seem likely to do so until some botanist shall arise 

 who will devote himself to the humble but important task of 

 sweeping up the scattered works of past generations, and sorting 

 and arranging them in a simple and easily consultable form. 



The whole groups of Orchids may be roughly divided into 

 non-cultural and cultural species. By the former I mean plants 

 which, though interesting in themselves, are not considered 

 worthy of culture, and which are, therefore, chiefly known from 

 herbarium specimens. These, as a rule, present little difficulty to 

 a systematist, owing to their smaller amount of synonymy and 

 usually more careful description, as well as to the fact that 

 typical specimens are almost always to be found in one or the 

 other of our great herbaria which is not always the case in 

 the matter of the showier plants. Sometimes, however, a 

 few of them half accidently find their way into the houses 

 of our cultivators, often at considerable intervals of time, 

 and, alas ! are not unfrequently saluted by a new name on each 

 occasion. These give a good deal of trouble, as they are very 

 soon expelled to make room for more showy plants, and are 

 often, especially in the older works, ill-described, rarely figured, 

 and not preserved as herbarium specimens. What wonder, 

 then, that errors frequently occur in such cases ? 



But it is specially with cultural Orchids that we have to deal 

 to-day, and these are burdened with a synonymy that certainly 

 requires lightening. Horticulturists' favourites may be divided 

 into two sections — one in which the species do not vary to any 

 great extent under cultivation, so that he who desires novelties 



