ISO ORCHIDS 



Cypripedium. 

 genera are so widely divided that we may just as well 

 entertain the hope of procuring seedlings by introducing 

 the pollen of a Cattleya to that of a Cypripedium as to 

 expect to effect crosses between the Cypripedium and 

 the Selenipedium. We would say in this connection, just 

 compare the pollen of the two sections. In Selenipedium 

 it is of a powdery nature ; in the Eastern section of 

 Cypripedium it is without exception moist and composed 

 of a wax-like substance. The two differ from each 

 other to a far greater extent than is found to be the 

 case with the other genera of the Orchidca:. 



Up to the present time there are about forty species in 

 the two sections. The Eastern section is practically 

 confined to a comparatively limited space within the 

 Indian Monsoon region. They sometimes follow mountain 

 chains, on which the species occur in groups of twos or 

 threes, or are isolated at great distances from each other. 

 In other instances they are confined to islands or groups 

 of islands. In the former case they usually occur at a 

 considerable elevation, where the rainfall is copious and 

 frequent, and the dry seasons are of short duration. Upon 

 these elevated situations the}' are found growing chiefly 

 on ledges, in crevices of the limestone rocks, and in other 

 such positions where there is a small accumulation of 

 decayed vegetable matter. Sometimes they are exposed 

 to the sun's rays, but more frequently they are found 

 under the shelter of the overhanging trees. The species 

 confined to islands grow at a much lower elevation. These 

 naturally require a higher temperature than that sufficing 

 for the mountain species. 



No genus of C3rchids introduced to cultivation has 

 j'ielded so readil}' to the means artificially provided for 

 culture as the Cypripediums. Not only have the majority 

 of species been retained in their normal condition of vigour, 

 but the effects of cultural influence on many of them, 

 especially those with tessellated leaves, are apparent in the 

 increased size, substance, and more highly-coloured markings 

 of the foliage. The flower-scapes also are more robust, 

 the flowers larger, and the normally one-flowered scape 

 occasionall}- becomes two-flowered. Doubtless the chief 

 cause of these changes is the more abundant and more 

 regular supply of nourishment by which the plants acquire 



