62 CYPRIPEDIUM ACAULE. STEMLESS MOCCASIN FLOWER. 



the present species of Cypripediinn so much on account of its 

 beauty as of its rarity, for it is far less handsome than any of the 

 other species that we are acquainted with." It may be noted 

 here that the species is very variable, and Mr. Curtis had but 

 one of the poorest of the varieties to draw from. Our readers, 

 looking at our drawing, will probably pronounce it a beautiful 

 species. We have often found taller specimens on the hills bor- 

 dering the Susquehanna river in Pennsylvania, besides larger 

 and more vigorous every way than that which we have selected 

 for illustration. The color of the one in our plate is, however, 

 as rich as in any of the forms usually found. 



There are some special points in the structure of this Cypripe- 

 dium which gives Its beauty a peculiar interest among moccasin 

 flowers. The peculiar slipper-like lip, which is so striking in 

 other species, is modified in this one by having, as Professor 

 Wood says, "the lip cleft before" — that is to say, the shoe has 

 been slit down along the upper portion of the foot ! This makes 

 it look more like a shell than a slipper. Another peculiarity is 

 that it is stemless — that is, the flower stalk arises direcdy from 

 the root stock, and is not supported on a leafy stem, as in other 

 species. Herein is found the derivation of both of its names — 

 acaulc and huiuile ; each signifying a lowly condition of existence. 

 It grows naturally under trees in rather dry situations. Dr. 

 Gray in the "Manual" says it is found in "dry or moist woods, 

 under evergreens." If this mean that it is only found under 

 evergreens, the observations of that distinguished author are at 

 variance with those of other collectors. In Pennsylvania the 

 writer has but once collected it under hemlock spruces. Its 

 general place of growth is in woods of deciduous trees, and in 

 such situations it is usually found in New Jersey. Though in 

 these places it is somewhat gregarious, that is to say, a great 

 number may be often collected in one wood; the individual plants 

 are much scattered, and are generally at least several feet apart. 



One of the most interesting branches of modern botanical 

 study relates to the manner in which flowers receive their pollen. 



