ORCHIDS, 87 
CYPRIPEDIUM SPICERIANUM. 
THIS variety—represented by Plate No. XXIV.—is new 
and rare in this country. Three years ago a single plant 
sold here for nearly five hundred dollars; now they can be 
bought for fifty. It is a native of the island of Borneo; it 
blossoms in midwinter. ; 
Of its superior beauty some just opinion can be formed 
from the drawing. Of its desirableness in many other respects 
amateurs will better judge after longer acquaintance. To the 
author of this work, the whole genus of the Cypripedezx are the 
most interesting of all orchids; they are so charming, so sug- 
gestive, so wonderful. And this seems to be the opinion of 
Mr. Rand, who says of a single variety: “This is one of the 
most extraordinary of orchids. When its flowers expand, the 
petals are only about an inch long, but in a few days they 
extend to two feet in length, so that they trail on the ground, 
unless the plant is placed upon a stand. The sepals and petals 
are yellowish-brown, the lip reddish-brown.” 
When the three plates of this publication were drawn, 
sixteen varieties of Cypripedium were in bloom in the con- 
servatory of Mr. Ames at North Easton. 
Yes, lovely flower, I find in thee 
Wild sweetness which no words express, 
And charms in thy simplicity 
That dwells not in the pride of dress. 
