inside the lip. Flowers in late Autumn, the blooms lasting four to five weeks. It is 
a slow developing plant, and a shy flowerer. 
This species is found in the gorges of the Cardamom Mountains and other ranges 
of Travancore, in Southern India. The climate is of the class known as tropical 
monsoonal, there being little difference in the temperature in Summer 
and Winter; the minimum average temperature being 65 degrees. Rainfall is 
heavy for ten months of the year, but even during the two dry months the monthly 
precipitation is seldom less than two inches, so that in its natural state Cyp. 
Druryi is accustomed to a constantly moist heat. Those who secure a plant 
will, therefore, need to reproduce these conditions if they hope to overcome its 
diffidence at growing and flowering under cultivation. I doubt if it can be grown 
satisfactorily in Sydney or Southern Queensland without a heated glasshouse. In 
North Queensland a glasshouse may serve. Ample moisture at all times is 
essential, 
CYPRIPEDIUM EXUL. Native of Siam. 
One of the third group. The leaves somewhat resemble those of the well known 
species insigne, i.e., they are about 9-12 inches long and 3 of an inch wide and 
green in colour, but they are much stouter than those of insigne, and generally a 
little longer. The scapes are about a foot high, and carry a single flower. The 
dorsal petal is broad, and is white with a yellow base with a number of purple 
spots and blotches. Petals are long, rounded at the apex and moderately broad, 
greenish in colour, tinged with brown. Pouch large and greenish brown. 
Cyp. exul is a very shy bloomer, though it grows vigorously enough in an ordin- 
ary bushhouse. It is a native of the high ranges which cross Siam, and grows at 
a height of 8000 feet, at which the usual tropical climate of Siam is much tem- 
pered. Plenty of water should be given for the greater part of the year, but in the 
colder months it should be kept comparatively dry, though not to the extent 
that the leaves commence to wither. It should be given a position where it gets 
plenty of light, but should be shaded against the direct rays of the sun. 
CYPRIPEDIUM FAIRIEANUM. Native of Assam. (lIllustrated.) 
Possibly the most charming of all the Cypripediums. It can be treated as either 
group one or group two, though I prefer the latter. When first found this orchid 
was quoted at £5,000, but nowadays it can be secured for a few shillings. It 
is a small growing species, the leaves being about 6 inches long, and about an inch 
across, bright green in colour, and channelled. The scape is about 6 inches tall, 
pale green in colour. Flowers are usually single, but very occasionally one scape 
will produce two blooms in slow succession. The flowers are large and distinctive. 
The dorsal sepal is large and spreading, and is white tinted yellowish-green from 
the base, and strikingly veined with brownish-purple. The petals are white, striped 
with green, and with a purplish margin. They are bent downwards, and curl 
outwards and upwards at the pointed tips. The edges are studded with tufts of 
black hairs. The pouch is a peculiar purplish shade, tinged with brown, and 
veined with green. The flower has a large purple ovary. 
101 
