72 ORCHIDS FOR EVERYONE 



The white dorsal sepal is lightly veined with green, and the 

 deflexed petals are of similar colouring but have a large number of 

 black warts on them, these being smallest and most numerous 

 towards the base. The helmet-shaped lip is dull purple with 

 crimson markings. C. superbiens is a summer flowering stove 

 species, and even when not in flower it is a handsome plant because 

 of the variegation of its leafage. The species was found at the 

 southern end of the Malay Peninsula. 



C. viLLOSUM concludes a selection of eighteen species, all of 

 which are well worthy of cultivation. It is a fine Orchid, but 

 now there is a craze for Cypripediums that have a flattened 

 dorsal sepal, of rounded outline, it is less popular than formerly. 

 C. VILLOSUM was discovered by Thomas Lobb in Moulmein, and 

 introduced to cultivation in 1853. ^^ comes from a considerable 

 elevation, and it will thrive under the same conditions as C. insigne 

 where this is grown to perfection and not subjected to the very 

 cool treatment it sometimes receives. The species grows vigorously 

 and has leaves from twelve to eighteen inches long. The bold 

 flowers are five or six inches across, and therefore among the 

 largest found in the genus. The flower stems do not grov^^ so 

 stiffly erect as in the case of C. 'uisigne and some other species, but 

 are bent over a little by the weight of the flov»'er. The dorsal 

 sepal does not conform to the canons of floriculture that find 

 favour with so many growers ; it hoods over somewhat, and the 

 lateral margins are considerably reflexed from centre to base ; the 

 apex is white, and below this is a green area, but the larger part 

 of this segment is rich purple-brown, the colour deepening towards 

 the base. The petals are quite narrow at the base but quickly 

 broaden out and are very prominent and attractive, brownish 

 yellow with purple veins. The lip is also brownish yellow with 

 a brighter yellow margin to the mouth. C. villosum varies 



