Ophrys. | LXXXI., ORCHIDACEA. 447 
or white, but always tinged with pink, very spreading or reflexed. Petals 
smaller, usually narrow, nearly erect. Lip broad, very convex, of a rich 
velvety-brown, downy on the sides, smooth in the middle, and variously 
marked by paler lines or spots ; the lobes small and all turned down, 2 
lateral ones very downy, 3 terminal ones concealed under the lip, the middle 
one often again turned upwards, but very variable in length. Column 
erect, with a distinct curved beak above the anther. 
In dry pastures, usually in limestone districts, in central and southern 
Europe, not further north than central Germany and Belgium. In Britain, 
chiefly in the southern and eastern counties of England, occurring more 
sparingly in other parts of England and in Ireland, but not in Scotland. 
Fl. early summer. [O. arachnites, Hoffm., is a variety with broader 
petals and a longer lip. | 
2. ©. aranifera, Huds. (fig. 1012). Spider Ophrys.—Much like 
O. apifera, but the sepals are green with less of pink, the petals very short, 
the beak of the column is straight, and the lip is broader, of a dull brown, 
variously marked with paler spots in the centre, convex as in O. apifera, 
but the edges obscurely or very shortly lobed, and either not turned under 
or but very slightly so. 
In dry pastures, with nearly the same range as O. apifera, rather more 
common in southern Europe, less so northwards... Much more rare in 
England than O, apifera, and unknown in Ireland. VU. spring and early 
summer. | O. fucifera, Sm., isa variety with the petals downy within, and 
usually entire tip. | 
3. GO. muscifera, Huds. (fig. 1013). Fly Ophrys.—A much more 
slender plant than the two preceding species, with narrow leaves, and a 
- slender spike of 3 or 4 flowers. Sepals oblong or narrow-ovate, greenish. 
Petals very narrow-linear. Column short, without any beak. Lip much 
longer than the sepals, oblong, convex, of a purplish brown, with pale-blue 
or white marks in the centre ; the 2 lateral lobes turned down, the central 
one larger, with a deep notch. 
On dry pastures, in central Hurope, extending further east than the two 
_ Jast species, but not near so common in the south. In Britain, spread over 
England, and abundant in some of the eastern and south-eastern counties ; 
very rare in Ireland; notin Scotland. VU. spring and early summer. 
XVI. CYPRIPEDIUM. CYPRIPEDE. 
Rootstock fibrous. Leaves large. Flowers few, with a large inflated 
lip. Column terminating in a dilated, incurved, thickish, petal-like lobe, 
below which are 2 distinct anthers, one on each side. 
A considerable and very distinct North American and Asiatic genus, 
with one species extending into western Europe. 
1, C. Calceolus, Linn. (fig. 1014). Slipper Cypripede, Lady’s 
Slipper—Stem 1} feet high, with large, ovate, pointed leaves, the upper 
ones lanceolate, and 1 or rarely 2 large showy flowers on long peduncles 
Upper sepal opposite the lip, broadly lanceolate, 13 inches long, a similar 
one (formed of the 2 lateral ones combined into one) under the lip; the 2 
petals nearly as long, linear and spreading; all of a brown-purple. Lip 
