178 beeck's new book of flowers. 



C. spectabile. — Showy Lady's Slipper. — This is one of 

 the most splendid of this curious genus, indigenous and 

 perennial like the others. It is so highly prized in Eng- 

 land that a single plant is often sold for one guinea. It 

 is a stout plant, about two feet high, the stem and leaves 

 hairy; leaves oval-lanceolate, plaited. Flowers two or 

 three, large variegated, with stripes of purple and white ; 

 found in some parts of Maine, Canada, and Vermont; 

 flowers in July. 



C. arietiniim,— Ram's Head. — Stem six or eight inches 

 high, with a few alternate lanceolate leaves. Flower 

 much smaller than in any of the foregoing species. 

 Sepals greenish-brown, lip small, inflated, acute, reticulated 

 with red and white. It has been compared in shape to a 

 ram's head, the lateral petals representing the horns. 

 Found in Maine and northward ; flowers in May. 



Any attempt to cultiv^ate this beautiful genus of plants, 

 will be vain and futile unless they have a peat or leafy 

 soil, and a shady border. The genus is most interesting 

 to botanists, and well worthy a place in the flower-garden, 

 provided a suitable soil and locality are alloted to it. 



DAHLIA. 



[Named after Andrew Dahl, a Swedish botanist and pupil of Linnaeus.] 



There is fashion among amateurs of the floral kingdom, 

 as well as in matters of dress, and style of living among 

 those who lead in fashionable circles of society. Thus, 

 when a new flower of fancied merit is introduced, it be- 

 comes all the rage, for the time being. It is admired, ex- 

 tolled, sold at extravagant i)rices, cultivated, improved, 

 and dissenunated among the multitude. The leaders in 

 floral novelties have seen it in its highest state of perfec- 



