THE ORCHID REVIEW. 37 
seen the plant specially desired. The collector was naturally disappointed 
and reluctant to return without the plant, when the headman enquired 
whether the plate was correct, and whether the colour was not a different 
shade to that represented. This the collector admitted as possible, after 
which the headman grasped the situation, and said that the plant grew not 
far from the stream along which the collector had travelled. I was rather 
curious to know the name of the species, which, however. was not stated. 
At all events the collector got his plants, but I could find a good many 
plates in the condition of the one under discussion. 
Five years ago, the beautiful Paphiopedilum Charlesworthii suddenly 
appeared, when it was remarked: “‘ To the hybridist it should prove a great 
acquisition, for it presents a colour which has been much sought after, and 
its handsome dorsal sepal is sure to originate some striking developments, 
when crossed with other richly-coloured forms.” How far this may prove 
true perhaps remains to be proved, but it was at once taken in hand, and 
many seedlings have been raised, the first of which has now reached the 
flowering stage. It is a cross with P. barbatum, which was the seed parent, 
and was raised in the collection of W. H. Lumsden, Esq., of Aberdeen. 
The merits of the hybrid can scarcely be judged from the first flower, 
but it is bright and attractive in colour, which is one of the great desiderata 
in this group, and, whatever its value, it will always be historically inter- 
esting. Now that one seedling has flowered others may be anticipated, and 
their appearance will be awaited with interest. 
I have not escaped without further communications on the ‘‘great Cypri- 
pedium question.” My old friend of last menth is glad to find that his | 
arguments were not demolished one by one, and thinks that if they can be 
shown to be correct they will in time be adopted, though a little incon- 
venience may be felt at first. He also hopes that amateurs who are so 
convinced on this point will set the fashion. The case ashe puts it is some- 
thing like this. The slipper Orchids, which were long known under the old 
Linnean name of Cypripedium, are now shown to belong to four different 
genera, and the change in nomenclature rendered necessary by this dis- 
covery is complicated by the fact that the name ‘‘ Cypripedium ”’ is not the 
correct eqnivalent of ‘‘ Venus’ Slipper Orchid,” as Linnzus intended, but 
‘Cypripedilum.” Opponents of this amended spelling have suggested the 
derivation as from ‘“‘ Venus’ foot Orchid,” hence ‘‘ Cypripodium ” would be 
more correct, but this argument has been disproved from the remarks of 
Linnzus himself. 
‘“‘ Cypripedilum,” therefore, is the name to be adopted for the hardy 
