rather prone to atavism, or, in other words, they display a tendency to revert 
to the original forms. C. Gratrixzianum combines the characters of the three 
species concerned in its origin—C. bellatulwm which can be traced in the petals; 
C. Hookerae in the pouch; and C. Lawrenceanum in the dorsal sepal. 
Cypripedium Gratrizianum has light yellowish green ovate-lanceolate acute leaves, 
four and a-half inches long and one and a-half inches broad. The flowers are bold and 
handsome, rather short-stalked. The broad flat dorsal sepal is of a rosy purple ground 
colour margined with white, and with converging purple stripes ; the median portion 
is much paler, shading into yellowish towards the base, where also occur a few rows 
of dark purple spots. The petals are broad and somewhat flattened and curved, of 
a bright purplish rose ground colour, the median portion suffused with pale yellow, 
which becomes intenser towards the base, the whole covered with innumerable minute 
spots and dots of a dark purple, arranged mainly in rows, smaller and _ closer 
together at the base, larger and more scattered towards the apex. The pouch is 
somewhat elongated, dark mauve-purple shading into a lighter purple towards the 
dorsal side, and veined with deep purple laterally. 
To succeed well in growing this plant, it should be potted in a mixture of 
brown peat fibre and living sphagnum moss; ample drainage should be given, as 
otherwise the peat is apt to become sour, which would be fatal to the well-being 
of the plant. It will be found to do well in the East Indian house, and during 
the growing season it requires a_ liberal supply of water. During the dark and 
dull days of winter a smaller quantity will suffice, although the plants should 
never be allowed to become dry; great care and circumspection is therefore required 
in this respect. The atmosphere also should be kept in a moist state, as otherwise 
thrips will undoubtedly commit ravages which will permanently disfigure the plants. 
The subject of our illustration flowered in the collection of 8, Gratrix, Esq., of 
West Point, Whalley Range, Manchester, to whom we have much pleasure in 
dedicating it. The Orchid collection at West Point is confided. to the charge of 
Mr. McLeod, and bids fair to become one of the finest in the kingdom. 
