1 8 Cypripedia. 



white, one stem of C. pari'ijlorum with two flowers, and one stem of 

 C. candidiim with two flowers. 



I have considered C. pithesccns and C. pati'ijloniin two distinct species, 

 and still insist there is as marked a difference as between many other sepa- 

 rated species of other plants ; yet many of the best botanists regard them 

 as but one and the same species. Prof Gray, the highest autliority, I learn 

 now puts them together as one species ; but Rev. John A. Paine, jun., 

 one of the most thorough and scientific botanists in the State of New York, 

 and whose study of the Cypripedium family has been extensive and pro- 

 found, still adheres to the theory of separation, and maintains their distinc- 

 tive features as two species. C. piihescens\s sometimes earlier, and C. par- 

 viflorum at times much taller ; and variations from the stated types, es- 

 pecially with C. pubescens, are very common : but, in general experience, I 

 think the radical specific differences are sufficiently marked to distinguish 

 them without difficulty. 



I have now in my garden a large number of plants of C. candidiun, which 

 continue to flourish and do well. It seems to thrive under cultivation the 

 best of any of the species. The flowers vary very little in size or shape. 

 A friend, who sent me a package of plants of this charming species last 

 spring, writes as follows in regard to them : — 



" The station at which I procured the plants is an extensive swamp in 

 the north-east corner of Genesee County, N.Y. A few plants are found 

 scattered about all over the open marsh ; but they grow more plentifully 

 in the grassy openings, glades, in the low (mostly arborvitse) woods, at the 

 very border of the swamp, in company with Parnassia CaroUniana ^ Sarra- 

 cenia putpiirea^ Valeriana sylvatica. In the particular locality from which 

 I took those sent you, they grew in a thin layer of mould over marl, though 

 I did not observe that the roots penetrated the marl. C. candidum grows 

 more in the sunshine than any of the species, but where it is always wet 

 except in the dryest weather of the summer." 



In relation to exotic Cypripcds, Hugh Low & Co. wrote recently, — 



" There is nothing new in Cypripedia, except a very distinct variety of 

 C. Stonci, with extremely broad leaves, which has been flowered by Mr. Day 

 on a plant we sold him from amongst our imported ones.". 



I notice in " The Gardener's Chronicle " a report of an exhibition of the 



