1 8 OUR NATIVE ORCHIDS 



has narrower leaves, a sweeter fragrance, longer and more 

 twisted petals (Plate VIII., Fig. i), a deeper, richer shade of 

 gold than the larger Yellow Lady's-Slipper. Its little pouch 

 is rarely more than an inch long, and is more brilliantly 

 marked. "Purple spots," the botanists say when they wish 

 to describe the flecks and streaks that mark these lovely 

 pouches, but a clear, dark reddish brown seems nearer. 

 The colour of claret, of a wine-red autumn leaf, is what 

 these yellow Cypripediums bear, but purple they will call it; 

 so must we, only we know what we mean by it. 



