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l the hybridizer may be, hitherto he has found the pollen masses melted in hopeless confusion before he can secure them.
One hybrid Epidendrum has been obtained--_Epi. O'Brienianum_ from _Epi. evectum × Epi. radicans_; the former purple, the latter scarlet, produce ×a bright crimson progeny.
Miltonias show two natural hybrids, and one artificial--_Mil. Bleuiana_ from _Mil. vexillaria × Mil. Roezlii_; both of these are commonly classed as Odontoglots, and I refer to them elsewhere under that title. M. Bleu and Messrs. Veitch made this cross about the same time, but the seedlings of the former flowered in 1889, of the latter, in 1891. Here we see an illustration of the advantage which French horticulturists enjoy, even so far north as Paris; a clear sky and abundant sunshine made a difference of more than twelve months. When Italians begin hybridizing, we shall see marvels--and Greeks and Egyptians!
Masdevallias are so attractive to insects, by striking colour, as a rule, and sometimes by strong smell--so very easily fertilized also--that we should expect many natural hybrids in the genus. They are not forthcoming, however. Reichenbach displayed his scientific instinct by suggesting that two species submitted to him might probably be the issue of parents named; since that date Seden has produced both of them from the crosses which Reichenbach indicated.
We have three natural hybrids among Phaloenopsis. _Ph. intermedia_ made its appearance in a lot of _Ph. Aphrodite_, imported 1852. M. Porte, a French trader, brought home two in 1861; they were somewhat different, and he gave them his name. Messrs. Low imported several in 1874, one of which, being different again, was called after Mr. Brymer. Three have been found since, always among _Ph. Aphrodite_; the finest known is possessed by Lord Rothschild. That these were natural hybrids could not be doubted; Seden crossed _Ph. Aphrodite_ with _Ph. rosea_, and proved it. Our garden hybrids are two: _Ph. F.L. Ames_, obtained fro