MOUNTAIN FLOWERS 177 



CALYPSO 



Calypso borealis. Orchid Family 



Stems: with two or three membranaceous sheaths, and a Unear bract 

 at the summit. Leaves: leaf solitary, broadly ovate, petioled. Flowers: 

 drooping, pedicelled ; sepals and petals lanceolate, acuminate, long lip 

 inflated, saccate, with two short spurs below the apex. 



A solid bulb and coralloid roots, a single stem sheathed by 

 two or three loose brownish-green scales and surmounted by 

 a single narrow bract, a solitary broad leaf at the base, and a 

 single lovely mauvish-pink orchid blooming at the summit, — 

 such is the Calypso. 



The sepals and petals of this dainty flower are like fairy 

 wings, its large sac, striped and mottled with deep rose colour 

 and variegated with yellow spots, tufted by fine white hairs, 

 resembling the body of some gay insect ; thus the blossom 

 appears to be poised lightly upon its stem like a beautiful 

 butterfly ready to flutter away at our approach. This effect 

 is heightened by the fact that it grows in the deep cool for- 

 ests, where its exquisite fragrant flowers form the only spots 

 of vivid colour and where it is sheltered by the vines and 

 mosses that cluster together in those damp shady places that 

 are the favourite haunts of this orchid. 



When Mrs. Hemans wrote 



" There 's not a flower but shows some touch, 

 In freckle, freck, or stain, 

 Of His unrivalled pencil," 



she must have had in mind the marvellous painted slipper of 

 the Calypso, for its delicate veinings in finely pencilled pat- 

 tern are surely the wonderful work of the Great Master-hand. 

 The name Calypso denotes that the plant is dedicated to 

 the ancient goddess of that name. 



