tME ORcMlb WORLt). 
its near relations on both sides — Wilsonia, 
Thvvaitesii, and chelseaensis^ — being blends 
of purple. Its appearance suggests hitherto 
unsuspected probabilities in Cochlioda vul- 
canica secondary hybrids. It has been raised 
in the Chessjngton collection by Mr. J. M. 
Black 
Odontioda Latona (Odontioda Brad- 
SHAWI.E X HaRRVANO-CRISPUM). — This is 
believed to be the first recorded Bradshawiae 
h>brid, but while enjoying this distinction it 
cannot be regarded florally as a decided 
advance. It immediately suggests the pollen 
parent in shape and coloration, and more 
nearly approaches the tints transmitted by 
Cochlioda vulcanica. This new hybrid is 
composed of one-half O. crispum and a 
quarter each of O. Harryanum and C. Noe 
liana. The labellum is broad-shouldered 
with a slightly pandurate apex, the crest 
being spiny. The ground colour of the sepals 
and petals is rose almost covered with a dull 
mauve-scarlet, while the column and lip are 
white, the latter with marginal markings of 
the same colour as the sepals and petals. It 
has been raised in the Chessington collection. 
SOME IDEAS ON ORCHID HYBRIDISATION. 
By J. M. BLACK. 
{Conlinued from page 231.) 
Probably the most familiar Orchid of all 
is the Cypripedium. People who have little 
opportunity of ever seemg an Orchid will 
immediately recognise a " Lady's Slipper," 
and many a small amateur who has to be 
absent from his glass-house all day is becom- 
ingly proud of his " Cyps." One such visits 
me occasionally, and with bashful ardour 
divulges all the little wrinkles he has 
discovered and to which he ascribes his suc- 
cess. This amateur is enjoying himself, and 
there is the making of a Cypripedium expert 
in him, if he has not already got there. His 
wife looks after the shading when he is 
absent, and I believe the little maid is also 
sometimes pressed into assisting with the 
Cypripediums, but 1 have never had an oppor- 
tunity of interviewing these two ladies, so am 
unable to say in how far their s is a labour 
of love. 
But though the Cypripedium is much prized 
among a large body of Orchid growers, and 
its adherents stand second to none in their 
enthusiasm, there is undoubtedly a consider- 
able number of devoted Orchid growers who 
fail to find much beauty in it. 
The best points of the Cypripedium are its 
easy cultivation and simple propagation, its 
consistency in flowering, with the added merit 
that its flower season extends right through 
the winter, and finally the remarkable lasting 
qualities of the blooms. The worst that c^n 
be said against the Cypripediums is that the 
flowers suggest a stiffness and a heaviness 
the reverse of graceful, and are too often of 
sombre hues. One misses in a group of C}'pri- 
pediums the vivid tones and graceful droop 
of the Cattleya, and the elegant arrangement 
of the Odontoglossum spike. I do not think 
that any one falls in love with this genus at 
first sight, but its widespread cultivation and 
its having so many admiring devotees demon- 
strates substantially the fact that it has a 
peculiar fascination once the faculty of 
admiring it has been developed. 
The work of raising hybrid Cypripediums 
was carried on with much success long before 
one could raise, say, Cattleyas, with any con- 
fidence, and t,he freedom with which they 
have been raised has had a cheapening effect 
in more ways than one. Without a thought 
for selection, any irresponsible dabbler in 
hybridisation has been able to raise the 
stronger growing kinds, and it is safe to 
assume that the resulting poor hybrids in 
many cases have been again intercrossed, and 
the many dingy and lifeless productions 
ensuing have assisted in bringing the Cypri- 
pedium into bad repute. 
Still there are among those who have had 
