ABSTRACTS. 



33 5 



using leaf-mould in the culture of Orchids is discussed by the writer, a 

 practical Orchid grower. He describes his successes and candidly 

 acknowledges his failures, due, as he says, to mistreatment. This seems 

 to be a subject worthy of extended experiment, as it appears to be such a 

 rational system of culture if the imitation of natural conditions of growth 

 in native habitats is the proper course to follow in cultivation. Those 

 who have seen tropical Orchids growing wild can attest the fact that 

 decayed vegetable growth usually accumulates about the finest-developed 

 plants. Carefully conducted experiments in this direction would be of 

 great value. — W. G. 



Orchids, Nomenclature of Hybrid. By L. Cappe-France (Orch. 

 Picu. p. 38 ; February 1902). — Numerous queries in respect to the classi- 

 fication of hybrid Orchids being raised, it is also interesting to note 

 the facts given of the variability of the hybrids in the third and fourth 

 degrees — hybrids between hybrids. It is a further proof that " Mendel's 

 law " cannot be applied on the lines laid down to Orchid hybrids. In 

 Orch. Be v. p. 107, April 1902, other particulars on this subject will be 

 found.— H. J. C. 



Orchids : their Culture in Leaf Mould. By L. P. De Laughe- 

 Vervaene (Gard. Chron. No. 785, p. 26; 11/1/1902).— In this paper the 

 author discusses the requirements of Orchids as regards air and moisture, 

 the amount of nourishment they should derive from the material in 

 which they are grown, and the values of the composts in which they are 

 usually grown. He condemns these as failing in the purpose for which 

 they are used, and describes his method of growing the plants in leaf 

 mould. — G. S. S. 



Orchids, Variation of Secondary Hybrid. By C. C. Hurst 

 (Orch. Bev. p. 74 ; March 1902). — The writer endeavours to bring the 

 numerous varieties of the same secondary cross within the scope of 

 u Mendel's law " in a most instructive manner. — H. J. C. 



Osmundaceae, Anatomy of. By J. H. Faull (Bot. Gaz. xxxii. 

 No. 6, p. 381 ; plates, 14-17). — The author describes the minute ana- 

 tomical structure of the stems of several species of Osmunda and Todea, 

 dissenting from the view that the family is anomalous in its vascular 

 structure ; but different species exhibit degenerations from the type. 



G. H. 



Paint in the Garden Landscape, Green (Garden, No. 1583, 



p. 185 ; 22/3/1902). — Green paint to the ordinary workman means a hard 

 bright crude colour, the harder and brighter the better. Such a colour is 

 not only unpleasant in its own vulgar garishness, but is painfully un- 

 becoming to any foliage that is brought near it. This article, whilst con- 

 demning green paint of this class, gives a useful solution to the paint 

 problem.— M. T. C. 



Pansies, A Plea for. Anon. (Jowrn. Hort. p. 364 ; April 24, 1902).— 

 We have a full page of Pansy flowers. Open but sheltered situations and 



