CYPRIPEDIUM INSIGNE MOOREANUM. 
| [PuatE 445.]| 
Native of India. 
Epiphytal, Leaves distichous, linear-ligulate, acute, channelled above, keeled 
beneath, sheathing at the base, coriaceous in texture, plane, green on both sides, 
saving a few purplish black blotches on the under side near the base. Scape 
erect, usually one-flowered. Bract boat-shaped, slightly compressed, as long as the 
ovary. lowers large, measuring upwards of five inches across, beautifully showy ; 
dorsal sepal broadly ovate, slightly waved at the margin, the apex fomicate, the 
central area pale green, heavily spotted with pale purple, leaving a broad marginal 
border of the purest white; lower sepal remarkable for its great size, oblong-ovate, 
acute, cream colour, with a few small spots mostly on the veins; petals spreading 
at right angles, linear-obovate, the margins being creamy white and undulated, the 
central portion greenish yellow veined and nétted with reddish brown, and_ having 
a few scattered spots of the same colour towards the base; the saccate lip with 
spreading mouth, rosy brown in front, paler beneath. Staminode obcordate, pubescent, 
yellow, having a central deep orange-coloured point. 
CYPRIPEDIUM INSIGNE Moorganum, Williams’ New Plant Catalogue, 1887, p. 22. 
The typical Cypripedium insigne was the second species of the coriaceous- 
leaved section of the genus discovered by Wallich in Sylhet, and introduced to 
cultivation slightly over seventy years ago. We have been greatly pleased with 
the numerous beautiful forms of this plant which have appeared from recent 
importations. In the early days of Orchid culture, varieties were not so much 
noted, but since the love for Cypripediums has become world-wide, the plant has 
been imported from many localities, and new varieties have appeared in abundance, C. 
insigne Sandere being perhaps the most chaste and valuable form which has yet 
appeared. C. insigne aureum, C. albo-marginatum, and of the older forms, ¢. 
punctatum violaceum and C. Maulei, are all magnificent examples of the beauties which 
are to be found in the old C. insigne. Among the many varieties which have received 
notice, the subject of our present illustration stands out prominently conspicuous for 
the brilliancy of its dorsal sepal, as well as for the size of the lower sepal. This 
variety originated in our establishment, and it was named by the late Mr. B. S. 
Williams in honour of Thomas Moore, then the able Curator of the Apothecaries’ 
Garden at Chelsea. The plate was taken from the original plant, and it is a true 
and faithful copy, and we have a great deal of pleasure in laying it before our 
subscribers. 
CC. 
