378 ON CYPRIPEDIUM CANDIDUM. 
I propose the varietal name curta for this state of 4. polifolia, and 
from not being in a position to pursue this investigation, I have here 
directed attention to it, trusting that some botanists will be induced 
to examine the species still further, and to ascertain whether the 
variation is constant or whether the extremes of length of the peduncle 
insensibly graduate one to the other, and if the former be true, whether 
other differential characters appertain to the variety. 
ON A REGULAR DIMEROUS FLOWER OF CYPRIPEDIUM 
CANDID 
By Asa Gray. 
Mr. J. A. Paine, Jun., of New York, who, two years ago, detected 
an interesting monstrosity of Pogonia ophioglossoides, has now brought 
to me, preserved in spirit, a monstrous blossom of Cypripedium candi- 
dum, which demands a record. E 
The plant bears two flowers ; the axillary one is normal, the terminal 
one exhibits the following peculiarities :—the lower ‘part of the bract 
forms a sheath which encloses the ovary; the labellum is wanting; 
and there are two sterile stamens, the supernumerary one being oppo- 
site the other, i.e. on the side of the style where the labellum belongs. 
Accordingly, the first impression would be that the labellum is here 
transformed into a sterile stamen. The latter, however, agrees with 
the normal sterile stamen in its insertion as well as in shape, bein 
equally adnate to the base of the style. Moreover, the anteposed sepal 
is exactly like the other, has a good midrib and an entire point. As 
the two sterile stamens are anteposed to the two sepals, so are the 
two fertile stamens to the two petals, and the latter are adnate to 
the style a little higher than the former. The style is longer than 
usual, is straight and erect; the broad, disciform stigma, therefore, 
faces upwards; it is oval and symmetrical, and a light groove across 
its middle shows it to be dimerous. The placent:e, accordingly, are 
only two. The groove on the stigma and the placentze are in line with 
the fertile stamens 
Here, dhiii is a symmetrical and complete, regular, but dimerous 
orchideous flower, the first verticil of stamens not antheriferous, the 
second antheriferous, the carpels alternate with these; and here we 
