OAKES AMES.director. 
BOTANIC CARDEN OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY, 
CAMBRIDGE, MASS. U.S.A. 
studies made in botanical morgues, whtjjp proorustean meth¬ 
ods reduoe to the limits of standard sized reotangles of 
paper the plant fragments we must interpret* 
I have been very muoh perplexed by the Bpidendrum 
fragrans group. I have studied the species very carefully 
throughout its range and I am in a perfect tangle of opin¬ 
ions. If you come across specimens in your rambles it would 
be a kindness if you would make specimens for me and at the 
atm© time submit observations regarding the different forms. 
Another group that has given ms a heap of trouble is the 
35* difforms group. Isolated forms resolve thenselves proper¬ 
ly enough, but when you glance at the variants that turn up 
from Florida to Brazil and stray into the ?'est Indies you 
begin to wonder what on earth the species really comprises. 
A study of this species and its allies is a crying need in 
our business. Any attention you are able to give to this 
matter will be a substantial help. X wish you ooulh see the 
range in size of the flowers now mounted in glycerine on 
my laboratory table. 
I intend to write to you from Kurope whenever I make 
notes that may be of interest or assistance to you. 
Yours faithfully, 
P.S. I have written to Professor Merrill regarding your 
desire for specimens of Philippine species of Phalaenopsis. 
O.A. 
