68 NAT. ORDER. ORCHIDE.'E. 



nectary, supports two lateral anthers on the inside, aid ends in a 

 broad, roundish, deflected, acute lobe, carinated on the inside." 



Genus Cijprij)edium, Ladies' Slipper, takes its name from kapris, 

 Venus, and jiodion, a slipper, in allusion to the slipper-like form of 

 the labellum, or principal segment of the flower, which is commonly 

 called the nectary. The common species, Ci/jyripedmin calceolus, is 

 a well-known garden plant. There are also several wild species 

 growing in our woods ; and of these the Cypr'qiedium hnmilc is 

 among the most beautiful and valuable. It grows in the distant 

 woods, seldom being found near the habitations of man, from New 

 England to Louisiana, but very rare in some places, while it is com- 

 mon in the hills and swamps of New- York, the Highlands, Green 

 and Catskill Mountains, and also in the glades and prairies of the 

 Western States. 



This plant blossoms in May and June, and is much valued in 

 gardens for its beauty and singularity ; but it is diflicult to cultivate. 

 For medical use it must be collected in the fall, or early in the spring, 

 carefully dried, and reduced to powder. Rafinesque, in speaking of 

 this plant, says that he has ascertained that there is but one species 

 affording many varieties, some of which are the Cypripedium pubes- 

 cens, entirely pubescent — even the flowers ; Cypripedium glabrum, 

 nearly smooth ; Cypripedium grand ijfonmi, slightly pubescent, label- 

 lum very large ; Cypripedium parviflormn, slightly pubescent, label- 

 lum small ; Cypripedium maculatum,, labellum more or less spotted 

 with red dots, lobule often red ; Cypripedium bijlorwn, with two 

 flowers and bracteas ; Cypripedium concohr, the whole flower yellow 

 or yellowish, unspotted ; djpripedium augustifolimn, leaves and 

 bracteas lanceolate. A multitude of intermediate varieties or devi- 

 ations may be seen, with undulate or spiral sepals, obtuse or acute 

 lobules, broader or narrower leaves, &c. 



Propagation and Culture. This curious plant seldom grows 

 from seeds ; when transplanted, the roots must be taken up with the 

 earth around them, and placed in a congenial rich light soil. 



