CYPRIPEDIUM INSIGNE 57 



piece was bought back by Mr, Sander, who wanted it for 

 hybridising, at two hundred and fifty guineas.' Not less 

 than forty exist perhaps at the present time, for as soon 

 as a morsel proves big enough to be divided, divided it is. 

 Here we have two fine plants and a healthy young fragment. 



To describe the flower is an ungrateful task. Tints so 

 exquisitely soft are not to be defined in words ; it is pleasanter 

 to sum them up in the phrase ' all golden,' as I did formerly, 

 when there was no need for precision. But here I must be 

 specific, and in truth Cypripedium insigne Sanderae is not to 

 be so described. The dorsal, beautifully waved, has a broad 

 white margin and a cloud of the tenderest grass-green in the 

 midst, covered with a soft green network. There are a few 

 tiniest specks of brown on either side the midrib. The 

 petals might be termed palest primrose, but when compared 

 with the pure yellow slipper a pretty tinge of green declares 

 itself. A marvel of daintiness and purity. 



In this house hang Catt. citrina, Odont. citrosmum, and 

 Laelia Jongheana — five rows. Of the first, so charming but 

 so common, it is enough to say that the owner of this 

 collection has contrived to secure the very biggest examples, 

 in their native growth, that a sane imagination could con- 

 ceive — so big that I should not have credited a report of 

 their dimensions. The ordinary form of citrosmum also 

 demands no comment, and I deal with the interesting Laelia 

 Jongheana elsewhere. But we have a number of citrosmum 

 roseum, which has white sepals and petals and a pink lip ; of 

 citrosmum album, all purest white, save the yellow crest ; and 

 of the cream-coloured variety, which to my mind is loveliest 

 of all. Sir Trevor Lawrence collects these at every oppor- 

 tunity, and I remember the charming display he made once 

 at the Temple Show, when their long pendulous garlands 

 formed the backing to his stand. 



