Ciryn Pe tk AXVILE 
CYPRIPEDIUM. 
THIS is one of the most distinct genera of the whole Orchid 
family, whether looked at from a botanical or from a horti- 
cultural point of view. When speaking of the structure of 
the flower in Orchids it was remarked that one characteristic 
of the family was its possessing only one perfect stamen, 
the two lateral ones being abortive. To this rule the 
Cypripedez form the sole exception, possessing, as they 
do, two fertile lateral stamens, the central one (which is 
fertile in other Orchids) being represented by a broad, 
shield-like plate. How widely the flowers of the genus 
differ in general appearance from those of other Orchids 
may be gathered from a glance at any of the figures which 
accompany the descriptions of the species. The large, 
inflated pouch which is formed by the labellum suggested 
not only the English name of the genus—for this is one 
of the few Orchid genera which possess an English name— 
but also the Latin Cypripedium, or ‘Venus’ Slipper.” 
Previous to this, however, our European species (C. Cal- 
ceolus) had been known as Calceolus Mari, or “ Mary’s 
Shoe,” and to this the English name, ‘“ Lady’s Slipper,” 
may be traced—‘‘Our Lady” being the old English, as 
“Notre Dame” is the modern French, designation for 
