262 ORCHIDACE^. 



thing to prevent excessive evaporation, from which they all 

 suffer more or less during the growing period. In nature they 

 are all found gro\ving amongst and mixing with other low- 

 growing plants like themselves. They are natives of hilly 

 pastures, moist or dry, woods, thickets, and bogs. The herbage 

 of such places cannot be imitated closely in cultivation, but 

 we have many little plants quite adapted for the purpose of sur- 

 facing in such cases. The tiny Ionopsidio7i acauk, the Spergula, 

 and smaller Armarias are all fit for this purpose ; and a pinch 

 of the seed of any of these may be cast over the soil thinly, 

 and will need no further attention. Other surfacings, such as 

 Sphagnum and other mosses, and cocoa-fibre, may be adopted ; 

 but the living protection will be found the best, and always 

 sweet and wholesome. 



Cypripedium {Lady's Slipper\ — There are several handsome 

 and interesting species of this group in cultivation. The peculiar 

 slipper-like form which the lip assumes is a very obvious and 

 striking feature, and they are altogether, as regards structure and 

 colouring, amongst the most beautiful of hardy Orchids. In 

 cultivation they are best grown in some free, open, porous soil, 

 such as fibry loam and peat ; but good turfy loam, well sharpened 

 with sand, will do alone if good peat cannot be had. The drain- 

 age should be good ; no stagnation should be permitted. They 

 will not succeed well in open exposed borders, being fond of an 

 hour or two's shade in the middle of the day. They require 

 good supplies of water in the growing season, but when the 

 foliage begins to go off they should get less, and be kept pretty 

 dry throughout the winter. Propagated by division in autumn 

 or spring ; if the latter, let it be early. 



C. acaule (Short-stemf?ied L.) — The whole plant does not 

 exceed 6 inches high. It produces only two leaves, which 

 spring directly from the root. The flower-scape rises between 

 the leaves, terminating in a single flower, which is rose-and- 

 white, or pure deep rose-colour. The hp, or slipper, is split 

 up the middle, which, independently of other peculiarities, 

 distinguishes this species from every other hardy one in cultiva- 

 tion. Native of North America. 



C. Calceolus {Commo?i L.) — This species is a very rare if 

 not nearly extinct native of Britain. It is a large-growing 

 plant, with leafy stems reaching the height of i8 inches. The 

 leaves are large below, diminishing as they ascend the stem 

 both in length and width, the larger ones being egg-shaped 

 and sharply pointed. The flowers appear usually solitary at the 

 extremity of the stem, and are distinguished by the clear 



