CXVi PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



with this malformation, the flower being apparently also changed 

 as to the number of its parts. It appeared to be really synanthic, 

 like the Cattleya shown at the last meeting. 



Bosa rubrifolia. — He also showed a spray of this red-leaved 

 species, received from Mr. G. Paul, having the gall, 1 Robin's 

 pincushion,' likewise intensified in colour. 



Hybrid Aristolochia. — Dr. Masters showed a blossom of the 

 first hybrid ever raised in this genus, between A. brasiliensis 

 (form) and A. elegans, from Bolivia. 



Cream-coloured Vallota. — He also exhibited blossoms of this 

 variety. A white one is known to have existed, but is apparently 

 lost to cultivation. It was suggested that crossings should be 

 made with the present one, so that possibly the white variety 

 may reappear. 



Chemical Analyses of Orchids. — Professor Church, having 

 carefully considered Mr. Smee's second paper on the chemical 

 processes which are supposed to take place in Orchids, observed 

 that it was somewhat difficult to follow the author's observations 

 as there was a want of systematic cohesion throughout the 

 paper, some parts appearing to be rather irrelevant, and others 

 open to question. Thus, chemists are not agreed upon the 

 composition of chlorophyll ; and if they were, there would be in 

 consequence no special light thrown on the cultivation of 

 Orchids. In his observation upon the presence of nitrogen 

 in sewage-grass, Mr. Smee had altogether omitted any mention 

 of nitrates, and no conclusions can be drawn from the absolute 

 quantities given, as they bear no relation to the actual quantities 

 employed, but not stated in the experiments. The diagram 

 supplied by Mr. Smee, Professor Church thought interesting, as 

 approximately representing the gradual loss of earthy salts as 

 one of the causes of decline and death. With reference to his 

 observations on phosphates in connection with the flowering 

 process, it is well known that phosphates generally increase the 

 inflorescence, while nitrogen enhances the foliage, and deepens 

 the green colour of chlorophyll ; but Mr. Smee's remarks upon 

 the decomposition of phosphates are extremely doubtful. It has 

 been found in all experiments that ammonias in which phos- 

 phorus has replaced nitrogen have always proved fatal to 

 plants. Mr. Smee's experiments on scents, as being formed in 

 the flower itself, are well founded. Lastly, the suggestion that 



