226 orchid-grower's 'manual. 



These latter are referred by some of our highest authorities to the genus 

 ■ Selenipedium, but for garden purposes they are more conveniently re- 

 tained in one group. Selenipedium is thus separated from Gypripedium 

 by its three-celled ovaries with axile placentae, Cypripedium itself having 

 a one-celled ovary with parietal placentation. Many of the species have 

 beautiful variegated foliage as well as flowers, and on this account are 

 worth a place in every collection. The form of the flower is curious, the 

 usually conspicuous parts being the dorsal sepal, erect and highly- 

 coloured, two spreading often elongated petals, and a slipper-shaped 

 pouch or lip, on account of which the genus is generally called 

 " Our Lady's Slipper." The tropical kinds are almost all dwarf, 

 compact, and evergreen, the leaves of some being beautifully chequered. 

 They produce their flowers from the centre of the leaf-tufts, on an 

 upright scape, and rise from 6 inches to 1 foot high or more, . the 

 branching Selenipediums sometimes reaching 2 or 3 feet in 

 stature. These latter are more floriferous, as they keep continually 

 blooming, producing flower after flower on the same spikes ; these 

 should therefore not be cut, but be allowed to remain on the plant. 



There are now a very large number of hybrid C t/pripediums which are 

 very fine and distinct, and new ones are cropping up nearly every day ; 

 but whether they are all to be considered as improvements on the 

 existing species is purely a matter of taste. Some of them certainly 

 are so. We give a selection of the best kinds. 



Culture. — These plants are of easy culture, and require but little 

 space. The majority of the species are best grown in the East Indian 

 house ; some kinds, however, do better in a cooler place, and will thrive 

 in a warm greenhouse. We grow them all in pots with rough fibrous 

 peat, sphagnum moss, charcoal, and sand mixed together. They all 

 require a liberal quantity of water during their period of growth ; and 

 as they need but little rest, they never should be allowed to get too dry 

 at the roots. The Cypripediums, unlike many Orchids, have no thick 

 fleshy bulbs to supply them with nourishment, and hence require a 

 constant artificial supply. They are propagated by dividing the plants. 



C. ADONIS, H. Williams. — This hybrid was raised in our Nurseries. It is a 

 disfciact cross between U. Spicerianum magnificum and C. Harrisianum superhwm, 

 and has been greatly admired when exhibited ; it appears to be very free- 

 flowering. The leaves are about 1 foot long, green with darker marbling. The 



