MOUNTAIN IIOWI 



CALYPSO 



Ca/ypsfl hortuilis. Orchid Family 



Stems; with two or three membranaceous sheaths, and a linear bract 

 at the summit. Leaves: leaf solitary, i)roadly ovate, petioled. Flowers; 

 drooping, pedicelled ; sepals and petals lanceolate, acuminate, long lip 

 inflated, saccate, with two short spurs below the apex. 



A solid bulb and coralloid roots, a sin«;ic stem sheathed bv 

 two or three loose bro\vnish-<.^reeii scales and surmounted b\ 

 a single narrow bract, a solitary broad leaf at the base, and a 

 single lovely mauvish-pink orchid bloomini;- at the summit, — 

 such is the Calypso. 



The sepals and petals of this daint\- flower are like fairy 

 wings, its large sac, striped and mottled with deep rose C(jlour 

 and variegated with yellow spots, tufted b\' fine white liairs, 

 resembling the body of some gay insect ; tluis the l)lossniii 

 appears to be poised lightly u]X)n its stem like a beautiful 

 butterfly ready to flutter awa)' at our aj^proach. This effect 

 is heightened by the fact that it grows in the deep cool for- 

 ests, where its exquisite fragrant flowers form the only si")ots 

 of vivid colour and where it is sheltered by the vines and 

 mosses that cluster together in th(^se damp shad\- places that 

 are the favourite haunts of this orchid. 



When Mrs. Hemans wrote 



'' There 's not a flower but shows some touch, 

 In freckle, freck, or stain. 

 Of His unrivalled pencil," 



she must have had in mind the marvellous painted slipper of 

 the Calypso, for its delicate veinings in finely j)encilled |ut- 

 tern are surely the wonderful work of the (ireat Master-hand. 

 The name Calypso denotes that the plant is dedicated t<^ 

 the ancient goddess of that name. 



