The Scientific Notebooks of German Orchidologist Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig Kränzlin

342 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [MARCH 11, 1882.

refer Limatodes rosea to the genus Calanthe, hence, if this view be correct, a hybrid between the former and C. vestita is no very extraordinary phenomenon. In these instances it appears to have been proved that the supposed differences in the pollen did not exist, therefore there can be no justification for establishing new genera, and placing them in different places in the system. But now with reference to the value of vegetative characters in classification it seems pretty clear that, although the great divisions of flowering plants (dicotyledons and monocotyledons) are with some few exceptions distinguishable from each other by evident vegetative characters, yet generally speaking vegetative characters cannot be employed in teh successive divisions until we come to the subdivision of genera. Judging from Dr. Pfitzer's results this holds good for Orchids, as well as other families of plants. We are not losing sight of the fact that certain orders, sub-orders, and tribes are characterised by habit as well as floral affinities. But very little investigation teaches us that certain vegetative types—physiognomical types, they might be designated—are repeated in numberous natural orders of teh most distant affinities, showing that they are the outcomes of external conditions, such as climate, medium, and associations. We must, however, be careful to distinguish between purely physiognomical modifications of vegetative organs, and those that coincide with or accompany the genetic affinities. Dr. Pfitzer recognises the fact that certain vegetative Orchid types are repeated in genera possessing widely different floral structure; but he also states that his primary vegetative characters are genetic rather than physiognomical. He primarily divides Orchids into those which grow continuously in one direction (monopodial), and those in w hich the growth is arrested at one point and continued from another (sympodial). These definitions, if not absolutely exact, are sufficiently so for all practical purposes. Monopodial Orchids have stems which lengthen indefinitely at the tip, season after season, and bear lateral inflorescences, as in Aërides Schrœderi (see fig. 51). In sympodial Orchids the growth of the main axis soon ceases, usually at the end of the growing period, and a lateral shoot continues the further development. The first is a comparatively small group, comprising, as far as at present known, most of Bentham's sub-tribe Sarcantheæm the American genus Dichæa, of the sub-tribe Maxillarieæ, and the widely-spread Neottineous genus Vanilla. The genera Vanda, Renanthera, Sarcanthus, Aërides, and Phalænopsis, belong here, and mostly inhabit Africa and Asia. The sympodial Orchids are again divided into two groups, the Pleuranthæ, and the Acanthæ—in other words, into those having lateral inflorescences, ad Dendrobium, Oncidium, and Angræcum Scottianum (fig. 52), but not in other Angræcums, and those in which the inflorescence terminates the stems, as in Epidendrum, Cypripedium, and Cattleya (fig. 53). For further particulars we must again refer the reader to the abstract, ante, vol xiv, n.s., p. 750. That abstract, or key, has a somewhat formidable appearance, but it is very simple when we know that the plan of its construction is a succession of contrasted characters. Thus, in tracing out the affinity of a plant, supposing it has not the character of I., we pass on to II., and under that, if it has not a lateral inflorescence, as defined under A., we pass to B., and so on. Incomplete as it is, the key contains a vast deal of information respecting the vegetative organs of Orchids in a spall space; and, although in no case do the primary and secondary divisions correspond to the whole of a tribe or trives, yet the ternary division leads us to the Ophrydeæ and the Neottineæ, and, what is of more importance, to large genera. But, as we have already stated, we anticipate greater usefulness from the characters afforded by the vegetative organs inthe subdivision of genera and in the description of species. Practised nurserymen are able to distinguish species and varieties of shrubs and trees by their vegetative characters to an extent that seems unattainable to the beginner, but such knowledge could never be learnt from a book, even if it could be put into words, and it is not likely that descriptive vegetative characters alone will lead to the identification of Orchids. We have little space left to notice Dr. Pfitzer's concluding chapters on the habitats and mode of life, &c., of Orchids, &c., but it may be mentioned that one of the points upon which he most strongly insists is, that Orchids, with comparatively few exceptions, love the sun, and would

thrive better under cultivation were they not shaded so much. In the circumscription of teh genera Dr. Pfitzer follows Mr. Bentham, but it would have been better in the references to have cited the names employed in the places to which reference is made. Thus at p. 21 we are referred to the Gard. Chron., n.s., i., p. 478, for the dimensions of a plant of Stauropsis lissochiloides, Benth., which is very perplexing, if the reader has overlooked the fact, recorded at p. 14, that Vanda Batemani (Fieldia lissochiloides) is a synonym as that is the name used in the place referred to. In the same way Vanda Cathcartii becomes Arachnanthe Cathcartii; and in the index Blume's genus Arachnanthe is inadvertently attributed to Reichenbach. Vanda Lowei )Renanthera Lowei) should also have been referred to Arachnanthe. One word with regard to the title of the book. As it stands it is misleading, and needs the qualification expressed by the words "of the vegetative organs." The work is copiously illustrated with woodcuts, most of which have appeared in these columns, and of which due acknowledgement is made. W. B. Hemsley.

FIG. 52.—ANGRÆCUM SCOTTIANUM. An example of a sympodial Orchid; the main stem here ends in an inflorescence which bends downwards, and so appears opposite to a leaf (not in the axil), while the originally side-shoot becomes terminal, and continues to grow in the direction of the main stem.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

Continental Express Parcel Post.—Some of us have been looking forward to this as likely to give long-desired facilities for getting a rapid delivery of parcels of fresh plants from distant parts of Europe. I may say that it is an arrangement concerted between the cheife European Continental states, by which parcels under 10 lb. in weight should be carried at a cheap rate as quickly as letters, and that it came into operation on the first day of this year. But nothing seems to have been done in England to enable us to derive any advantage from the arrangement. A parcel stated on the addres to be plants, and requiring immediate delivery, was sent to me from Erfurt last week. It seems that the English agents for the Continental Parcel Post are not, as one would hope, the Post-office authorities, nor any large railway company, but a firm of private carriers. The parcel was handed over to them fully and very legibly addressed to me; it was then forwarded to the local agent of these private carriers, a woman who keeps a small fancy shop at a country town 9 miles distant from me. She wrote to me by post saying a parcel had arrived for me from Germany which I might

have by sending for it and paying the carriage. I finally got it when it had been in her keeping for three days. C. Wolley Dod, Edge Hall, Malpas, March 2.

Stephanotis in Fruit.—We have a plant of Stephanotis floribunda that has been planted out for several years, and has always flowered freely, but never till now has borne fruit. It has one about the size of a turkey's egg, and like a Plum in shape. I shall be glad to know whether any of your correspondents have ever fruited it. [Yes; many of them. ED.] J. Baylis, Leiston Old Abbey, Suffolk.

To Prevent Birds from Eating Fruit-Buds. —Reading Mr. Grieve's excellent article on the Gooseberry in your last issue it occurred to me to make known to you the plan I adopt here to preserve the buds of Gooseberries, Currants, and Plums from the depredations of birds. As soon as the attack on the buds begins the whole of teh bushes and trees are at once pruned, and a large quantity of limewash is prepared sufficiently thin to admit of its passing through a course syringe. With this a man follows the pruners, squirty it plentifully over both bushes and trees. If done on a dry day it dries in two hours, and no

amount of rain will the wash it off, neither will any bird even perch on bush or tree. Four years ago this winter I walked about gun in hand from morn till eve day after day to keep the bullfinches in check, as I had planted a great many young bushes and Plum trees; but the birds, in spite of me, cleared every bush, so that they were only skeletons when spring came. Ever since I have used limewash, as stated above, and have no trouble in securing immunity from birds. W. Armstrong, Ford Manor.

Pendell Court.—Amongst the many novelties in the houses at Pendell Court Sir. G. Macleay's), Bletchingley, worthy of notice now, is a fine specimen of Coffea arabica, about 9 feet high and 6 feet through, which is bearing a fine crop of berries, some of the shoots having over fifty berries, which come in threes and fours from the axils of the leaves. Also a grand specimen of the noble Platycerium grande, which measures over 5 feet in diameter, and is in splendid condition. The lovely Canna iridiflora, var. Ehemanni, is still in flower; it is nearly 10 feet high, and has fine spikes of its bright crimson flowers; it has been in bloom over seven months. The rare and beautiful fine cut-leaved Anemone capensis is just opening its flowers; a new Asplenium pterioides is very distinct, and will prove to be a lovely greenhouse