THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 153 



some evidence to show tliat tliese two so-called species are 

 really two forms of the same thing and the specific names. 

 like the common ones, a mere matter of size. Cypripedium 

 iundidiDti is the "small wliite Lady's slipper" and also 

 "thicks." the latter j)ossihly sujji'j^ested by the shape of the 

 saccate lip. The "ram's head" or "ram's head Lady' slip[)er" 

 {C. arictiimiii) is another species that derives its name from 

 a fancied resemblance in the flower. This species is known 

 as "American valerian" hut the species best entitled to the 

 name is C. parvidam whicli really has medicinal properties 

 though not of a high order, in fact the whole group is some- 

 times called the "nervine family" and C. hirsutuni is occasion- 

 ally called "nerve-root." Cypripedium parvulimi is the "yel- 

 low-" ov "downy yellow Lady's slipper," "yellow moccasm 

 flower," "whip-poor-will's shoes," "slipper root," Indian 

 shoe," "ducks" and "Noah's ark," all ringing the changes 

 on the shope of the lower lip. Cypripedium hirsutum is 

 also known as "whip-poor-will's shoe," "moccasin-flower." 

 and "ducks" but the "stemless Lady's slipper" ( C. acaule) 

 covers most of the ground we have already traversed being 

 "pink moccasin flower," "pink lady slipper," "Indian moc- 

 casin" and "Noah's ark." and in additional "camel's foot," 

 "old goose" (instead of duck), "purple cypripedium" and 

 "squirrel's shoes." It has been called "pitcher-plant" also, 

 hut this is doubtless due to sheer ignorance. 



