36 Cypripedium humile. 



nerves sheathing each other, and embraced near the root by two or 

 more stipular-like sheathes. Scape naked, erect, embraced while the 

 plant is in flower by the folded leaves, which afterwards expand and 

 increase in size. Flower solitary and terminal. Petals dull purplish- 

 green, or purple and yellow, long. Nectary large, pendulous, globose, 

 pubescent, lake-red, delicately streaked with darker veins of the same 

 hue. Grows in deep shady swamps and morasses, where the soil con- 

 sists of a rich mould from decayed vegetable matter. In these situa- 

 tions only, the plant attains perfection — for though sometimes found 

 in drier places, it is comparatively small, and much less beautiful. 

 Grows throughout the union, but especially abundant and luxuriant 

 in the bogs of Jersey, where 1 have often seen specimens twice the 

 size of the one figured in the plate. Flowers in May and June, 



This singular plant partakes of the peculiarity of structure which 

 belongs to the genus of which three species are figured In this 

 work. It is a favourite flower, from the circumstance of its continuing 

 to bloom a long time. It does not however, bear the soil or atmos- 

 phere of common gardens, the moisture that is requisite for its vi- 

 gour being in them wanting, it soon dwindles in size or totally disap- 

 pears. I have repeatedly attempted to cultivate it, but have never had 

 a plant to bloom a second season. 



The table represents the plant of its common size during flores- 

 cence, after which the leaves become broader and larger. 



