but then we’re informed that its sepals and petals
  Are “reticulated in tender brown and broad rosy-mauve,” which
          immediately sends one “off the metals.” 
  The Masdevallias may be a respectable family, though I should
          not care to marry into it,
  But “the hybrid M. Mundyana representing M. Veitchii x M. Ignea”
          (though “a wonderfully glowing orange” by all accounts),
          sounds so exceedingly mixed and mongrel that I’d certainly
          eschew it. 
  “A noble Catt:  Gigas” sounds rather aristocratic:  “Catt: 
          Jacomb,” I suppose, is a sort of a relative;
  But Od.  Citrosmum, sounds awfully odd, and is not my notion of a
          reassuring appellative. 
  And what are you to make of Odont. crisp.  Sanderae, which,
          whomsoever “Sanderae” may be, I don’t want to “crisp”
          him;
  “A sport of nature unequalled” they call him, and no doubt his
          name is, for I can neither clearly articulate, stutter
          or lisp him. 
  I’ve not a doubt that, whoever he is, he is probably liked and
          considered by some a gem. 
  Gyp.  Chamberlainianum has a political sound, and has a strong
          savour of a floral Brummagem.

  And then comes “Odont. vex.  Bleui splendidissimum,” which sounds
          like an appeal for “Two Lovely Blue Eyes.” 
  But if it means something entirely different, I shall hear it
          without the smallest surprise. 
  In fact, looking further, I find, it’s “an artificial hybrid from
          Odont. vexillarium x Odont.  Roezlii.”  That’s a staggerer. 
  But Dend. phalaenopsis Schroderae Dellense is a still bigger
          horticultural swaggerer. 
  O. Coradenei! likewise O. Crispum!  I only wish that your
          Godmother, Flora,
  Would insist upon shorter and more intelligible names for her
          modern offspring.  By bright Aurora,
  I can’t go on worshipping at your floral shrine if the ritual is
          polyglot gibberish, and what’s more, I won’t, Ma’am. 
  In the word (queerly spelt) of which you seem very fond, I
          earnestly say, Flower Goddess, Odont.  Ma’am!!!

* * * * *

[Illustration:  THE RACE FOR THE COUNTRY.  WAITING FOR THE SIGNAL.

(By Our Americanised Artist.)]

* * * * *

ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

EXTRACTED FROM THE DIARY OF TOBY, M.P.

[Illustration:  “Standing at Bar.”]