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MANUAL OF ORCHIDACEOUS PLANTS.
its dimensions, liabit of growth, &c., and a more or less detailed
statement of the structure of the flower and fruit, devoid of technicaUties.
This is followed by a concise account of its properties and
uses, and, in the case of the more important kinds, the mode of
working the forest, conversion, commercial value, &c. A brief
statement is given of the distribution of the genus, and a more
detailed account of the distribution of the species. The article is
completed by a botanical description of the species and an explanation
of the plate. In most cases enlarged representations of the parts
of the flower and fruit are given to facilitate identification."
It seems a little unfortunate that some systematic disposition of
the species should not have been attempted, but a synopsis of the
characters of the orders and genera is given in the appendix, thus
modifying the inconvenience of the want of arrangement.
The genera principally dealt with are Coprosma, Dacrydium,
Fagus, Metrosiderus, Myrtus, Olea, Olearia, Phyllochidiis, and Podocarpus
; the order Coniferm has received special attention, drawings
of a few small species having been included " on account of their
interesting character, although they possess but little economic
value." Mr. Kirk, indeed, appears throughout to have been mindful
of the double purpose of his work, and the botanical and techno-
logical portion are treated with equal care.
Manual of Orchidaceous Plants. Part. V. Masdevallia. Chelsea:
James Veitcli & Sons. 8vo, pp. 82. Price 7s. Qd.
This fifth part of the ' Manual of Orchidaceous Plants ' treats
on Masdevallia and the allied genera, Pleurothallis, Cryptophoranthus,
Restrepia, Arpophyllum, and Platyclinis. The five latter genera are
of little horticultural importance, and have therefore been only
shortly described. The genus Cryptophoranthus was founded in
1881 by Kodriguez. None of his species, however, are included
under this name in this part, but two well-known plants have been
removed to it, viz., Pleurothallis atropurpxirea (syn. Masdevallia
fenestrata) and Masdevallia Dayana, which are popularly known as
" Window-Orchids," on account of the openings on each side caused
by the sepals being united at their tips. The plants known in
gardens as Dcndrochili have also been placed in their proper position
under the Benthamian genus Platyclinis, true species of Dendrochilnm
not being at present in cultivation.
The chief value of this part is to be found in the synopsis of the
genus Masdevallia. Sixty good species are here described ; more
than twice that number are known to science, but many of them
are of botanical interest only. An attempt has been made at
classification, the species being divided to form sections, three of
which are Keichenbachian, viz. :— (1) Eumasdcvallia, (2) SuccolahiuUB,
and (3) TriaristeUcB. The fourth section has no name, but is
typified by M. swertioifolia and M. gihherosa. These sixty-six species
include several plants hitherto regarded as species, but which are
now classed either as synonyms or varieties. The ChimKroid
section has been well treated, but we cannot altogether accept
M. acrochordonia as a synonym of M. PJphippium. It is in the (-ame