THE ORCHID REVIEW. 343 
In fairly representative collections, there should be no lack of bloom this 
month. There will still be a good many of those species yet to flower 
which were mentioned for last month, while many additional kinds will be 
coming forward. Such, for instance, as the autumn and winter-blooming 
Cypripediums, like C. Charlesworthii, introduced by Messrs. Charlesworth 
& Co., of Bradford, some few years since. It is a lovely species, though 
somewhat variable, some varieties having enormous dorsal sepals entirely 
suffused with a lovely soft purple, whilst others are smaller, and the upper 
half of the dorsal sepal graduating into a whitish hue. It is of easy growth, 
and does well in either the Cool or Intermediate house. 
Then we' have that well-known and_ beautiful species, Cypripedium 
Spicerianum, now rapidly coming along. This species has been known to 
cultivators for about twenty years, being then extremely rare and costly, 
the well-known firm of Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, of Chelsea, having 
the sole stock, its native habitat being then unknown even to them. Shortly 
after this, its habitat was discovered, and it was then imported in such large 
quantities that plants could be purchased for a few shillings a-piece. This 
species is also variable, chiefly in the dorsal sepal, the greatest half of which 
is clear white. Some are larger and more handsome than others, whilst 
some have a wider and more distinctive band of bright purple running up 
the centre. Many of these finer varieties have, from time to time, and 
rightly or wrongly, received descriptive names, as, for instance, C. 5S. 
magnificum, C. S. grandiflorum, &c., names which, I regret to say, cannot 
always be fully relied upon. It is of easy culture, and should be treated 
like the first-named species. 
Then again, we have that very old favourite, Cypripedium insigne, which 
is grown_in such enormous quantities for the markets. Here again, great 
variation takes place, chiefly in the dorsal sepal. Several varieties are now 
well known under ,their distinctive names. This species was first introduced 
into gardens as far back as 1819, and so hardy is it, and so easily grown, 
that it now abounds in almost every home where there is a greenhouse. 
Another good old Cypripedium for November blooming is C. venustum ; 
likewise a very old friend, having been first imported about the same period 
as the last named. It is also an easy species to cultivate, the Cool or 
Intermediate house suiting it admirably. Nor must we forget here to 
mention that highly! polished species, Cypripedium villosum, its shining 
flowers always being welcome during the winter months. It also prefers 
the Cool house in which to grow, and, when properly cared for, develops 
~ quickly into specimen plants, bearing a large number of flowers. 
Perhaps the hybrid Cypripediums in flower this month will even out- 
number the species in quantity, and will also vie with them closely as to 
beauty. There is now a large army of hybrids, many of which have 
