CYPRIPEDIUM METRAX. 
[PLaTE 95.] | 
Garden hybrid. 
Epiphytal. Acaulescent. Leaves distichous, coriaceous, oblong-lanceolate, acute, the 
upper surface of a dull dark green, faintly mottled with transverse markings, the 
underside of a dull wine purple. Scape (peduncle) densely hairy, dark purple, with 
a short boat-shaped purplish-green bract at the base of the six-ribbed ovary. Flowers 
medium-sized, solitary on the peduncle; sepals hairy externally, glabrous and glossy 
within; the dorsal one broad ovate, about an inch in breadth, ciliate at the base, 
and fringed at the edge with whitish hairs, blush-white, with a stout central dark 
purple stripe, having on each side a short green one, and beyond that five others 
eraduated in length, and of a greenish-purple colour, the central rib more prominently 
hairy at the back and tip; lower connate sepal oblong-ovate obtuse, whitish, with 
seven green ribs or veins; petals linear-oblong, broadest upwards, two inches long 
and about half an inch broad, plane at the base, recurvo-undulate at the tip, the 
upper side (half) glossy, of a deep claret-purple, streaked with green at the base, 
somewhat ribbed, ciliate with purple hairs, the central rib stouter, purple, with ‘a 
few round black spots distributed along its base, the lower half of the same wee 
but less glossy; lip rather large, oblong, an inch and three-quarters long, polis as ; 
the sides purple, deeply inflexed and extended at the base like a pair of ears, i 
front part green and veiny towards the tip, with a short purple rib, deep pon. 
towards the edge; the inside of the pouch yellowish-tawny, beautifully spotte sa 
crimson. Staminode large, roundish, deeply notched in front, dull purplish-tawny, 
with green veiny markings in the centre, shining as if varnished, thickly studded 
with short stiff hairs. 
Cypripepium Merrax, Reichenbach fil., in Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.S. Xiv., 524. 
This is one of the many hybrids that have been raised in this country, and 
which we owe to the handiwork of cultivators. It must be highly gratifying to 
those who devote their time and skill to so interesting a pursuit as the origination 
of new varieties, to witness. the success of their labours, and we are greatly 
indebted’to those amateurs and nurserymen who have so successfully carried out this 
process of hybridisation. Some of the new forms produced may be ae 
but others are in every way encouraging, by yielding fresh forms and casa an ; in 
this way, through careful selection, many beautiful flowers are originated. ¢ t eir 
native country the wild plants are no doubt crossed by insects, but in en a 
there are, perhaps, comparatively few forms growing sufficiently near gta . 
even those not all flowering at one time. The artificial hybridiser has the advantage 
of more abundant material to operate upon, and he can seize the most favourable 
