NOTES ON SOME CURIOSITIES OF ORCHID BREEDING. 455 



more related they become, and, consequently, reversions to 

 hybrids of the first generation, and indeed to pure species, 

 become more frequent. This of course acts as a reaction to 

 variation. • 



With regard to the nomenclature of hybrids of the second 

 and succeeding generations, it is not necessary — indeed it would 

 not be wise— to give each distinct cross a distinctive name (as 

 should certainly be done in hybrids of the first generation), for 

 it is manifest that with such extraordinary variations and rever- 

 sions as occur from the same seed-pod in most hybrids beyond 

 the first generation, nomenclature would be reduced to an 

 absurdity by such a system. But each distinct form, if worthy 

 of a name, should be given a popular English one, like a Kose 

 or any other florist's flower. It would no doubt be a great con- 

 venience to all if such names were made up of one word only, 

 and that a short one. On the other hand, in the interests of 

 science, a careful record should be kept of the pedigree of each 

 plant for future reference. 



Curiosities in Second Generation Hybrids. 



One of the most curious results on record in crossing Orchids 

 is that of Mr. W. Grey, for Hon. Erastus Corning, at Albany, 

 New York, U.S.A. 



Mr. Grey crossed C. xGodefroyae $ with pollen of C. niveum, 

 and from the same seed-pod is said to have raised C. concolor, 

 C. niveum, C. x Godefroyae, C. x G. leucochilum, C. x G. pure- 

 white, C. beliatulum, and nearly fifty intermediate forms. 

 (Orchid Review, ii. p. 227.) At first sight this result appears 

 incredible, but when we remember how closely allied are the two 

 parents in both appearance and structure, not only to one 

 another, but also to C. concolor and C. beliatulum, we are not so 

 sure that it is impossible. The mother parent, C. x Godefroyae, 

 was formerly thought to be a species ; but since it has been raised 

 twice by hand from C. concolor x C. beliatulum, and all three 

 are known to grow near to one another, we must, I think, 

 consider it to be a natural hybrid. 



Sir Charles Strickland, Bart., of Hildeney, Malton, Yorkshire, 

 showed at Royal Horticultural Society, May 14, 1895, " three 

 plants of C. concolor x C. beliatulum which closely resembled 

 C. x Godefroyae." One of these plants came into the possession 



