mi 
example, not even in the genus of Strophanti^. What adds to the curiosity 
Mrs 
acquire 
observer to see them grow. This lady has favoured us with some measurements 
from which we learn that — 
When the flower first opened, the petals were J of an inch long. 
During the second day they grew 3| of an inch. 
On the third day they advanced 4 inches more. 
The growth of the fourth day amounted to 4i inches. 
And on the fifth day they still extended 
5 J inches. 
17 
At this time the growth is supposed to have ceased, the petals having in four days lengthened 
inches, and heing 18| inches long when full grown. 
Another example of this tendency to lengthen the petals into tails, but in a less degree, occurs in 
the u sedgy Lady's-slipper," mentioned further on. And a third case is found in the strange genus 
Uropedium, in which not only do the petals turn to tails, eight or ten inches long, but their example 
is followed by even the lip, which for this purpose flattens itself, entirely unfolds, and pushes itself 
out into a long and narrow tongue. It may be useful to state that this Uroped, which is not yet in 
cultivation, has the habit of the u bannered LadyVslipper," and was found wild by Linden, growing 
in the soil of little woods in the savannah which occurs on the high part of the Cordillera that 
looks down upon the vast forests of the Lake of Maracaybo. Its elevation above the sea was 8,500 
feet, in the territory of the Chiguard, Indians, where the specimens now before us were gathered in 
flower, in June, 1813. 
The reason of this marvellous structure seems to deserve inquiry at the hands of some proficient 
in the doctrine of final causes. There is evidently a tendency towards it in other Orchids, as, for 
example, in Brassias, some Oncids, the genus Cirrhopetalum, and the long-tongued 
The long-tailed Lady's-slipper belongs to a section of the genus which is distinctly characterised 
by having no foliage on the sides of the stem, instead of which a number of thick narrow leaves 
spring np from its very base, and allow the flowering stem to rise freely into the air * They all 
inhabit tropical countries, but are generally found at considerable elevations above the sea. As most 
followin & 
1. The Handsome LadyVslipper. (C. venustum, Walli 
mountains of Sylhet, and the Khasiya hills of Continental India. We have not 
seen this from the Malay Islands. 
ves spotted with deep green and purple, almost 
green. Petals stained with purple, and fringed 
£T 
as the scape. Lip and sepals veined with 
2. The Java LadyVslippeii. {Cjavanicum,, Reinwardt ined.) 
Found wil 
Leaves speckled with 
(Is ot in cultivation ?) 
Sepals veined with green. Petals 
* 
The 
leaves of the other, and serves to connect the two. It is here intentionally passed by. 
be broad, thin-ribbed 
* 
