29 
PL. CCCXCVII. 
THREE HYBRID CYPRIPEDIUMS. 
1, CYPRIPEDIUM X CLAUDII tv. uinp. 
2, CYPRIPEDIUM X LATHAMIANUM rcup. Fr. 
3, CYPRIPEDIUM X WEATHERSIANUM Lt. uinp. 
CYPRIPEDIUM. Vide Lindenia, Engl. ed., vol. I, p. 31. 
a he genus Cypripedium is the one in which the ingenuity of the 
| hybridists has been most put into practice, and the list of hybrids 
artificially produced is now very considerable. This same abundance 
allows us to exercise a rigorous selection, and to reject all the more ordinary 
forms, for, limiting ourselves strictly to the more beautiful forms, the genus has 
been definitely enriched by a large number of new hybrids which will remain, 
and gradually form a magnificent series of extraordinary diversity. 
The three hybrids which we now figure on one and the same plate are 
all likely to become popular. Two of them were raised in Belgium, the third 
originated in England. 
Cypripedium X Claudii made its appearance in the month of February last, 
at the monthly meeting of the Orcuipgenne, of Brussels, being exhibited by 
M. Moens, of Lede, and it is dedicated to this amateur, whose seedlings 
have for several years obtained such great success. 
It is the result of crossing C. Spicerianum 2 and C. X vernixium ¢. The 
latter is itself a hybrid between C. Argus and C. villosum, which fact enables 
us to judge pretty nearly the qualities of C.  Claudii, and in fact we find 
in the flower the effect of all these three influences. It is remarkable for the 
elegance of the dorsal sepal, which in shape recalls C. Spicerianum, but the 
colour is very charming. The basal part is clear green, the median nerve 
is marked by a broad blackish purple band, and on either side of it extends 
a series of fine bright purple parallel lines which extend towards. the summit. 
The petals are broad, drooping, and recall those of C. villoswm, but they 
are of a shining reddish brown, with a darker median band, and the basal 
part clear green, covered with minute blackish spots. 
C. X Claudi obtained a First-class Diploma of Honour at a Meeting of the 
OrcuIDEENNE, of Brussels, in February last. 
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