96 FLOWERS A N D FRUITS. 



the blossoms. We have several species of this genera native in 

 the United States, which are much more highly prized than in 

 former times, and of which florists are endeavoring to learn the 

 habits so as to cultivate them with more success. 



Phillips remarks that the idea of these plants not bearing culti- 

 vation is as absurd as the old story of their springing from the birds. 

 He frequently transplanted several species of this tribe in his 

 garden, and they never failed to draw attention by the beauty of 

 their spotted foliage and the richness of their purple and lilac 

 colors. He collected them as soon as they appeared above the 

 earth in their natural situations, taking them up with as much earth 

 as possible about their roots and planting them in a similar soil to 

 that in which they were taken ; and they having remained without 

 disturbance for several years, were found in stronger growth than 

 at first. 



Most of the genera and species of this tribe are of perennial 

 duration, and grow in moist and shady places where there is an 

 abundance of vegetable earth ; all are of difficult cultivation and 

 very slow propagation, and but seldom reward, according to Nuttall, 

 the care bestowed upon them ; nor will many exist at all except in 

 the shade of the forest and amidst recent vegetable soil. 



The Persians and Turks call the roots of some of the species 

 of this tribe Salop, and with the bulbs of which they prepare their 

 favorite drink of the same name, which is drunk hot with the addi- 

 tion of milk and ginger to make it palatable. 



In rich shady woods the species of the genera about which we are 

 writing, can be found in flower in May and June. The flowers, of 

 which there are from one to three on each stem, are of various 

 colors, yellow, red and white. We are told that in all Europe 

 there is but one species. In India, from which the subject of our 

 plate was taken, there are many species and varieties, some 

 exceedingly curious, and a few with evergreen leaves. It is the 

 emblem of what its shape represents, LADIES' SLIPPERS. 



