April, 1915.] 



'IIII'; ORt'ini) WORLD. 



I4<) 



Cypripedium Desdemona, 



indeed, which might be turned to advantage 

 in future generations derived from this variety. 

 The lateral petals are formed in horizontal 

 fashion, and, in company with the labellum, 

 are yellowish, tinged with reddish-purple. 

 This flower has remained fresh for a period 

 of two months, during which time it has been 

 admired by many lovers of the genus, who 

 considered it an exceptionally fine example. 



Respecting the second flower, Cypripedium 

 Desdemona Haddon House var., of which we 

 ?ive an illustration, it is worthy of note that 

 it received a First-class Certificate, Man- 

 chester Orchid Society. February i8th, 191 5. 

 Although derived from Alcibiades it was not 

 the variety Illustrious that was used, but one 

 bearing a close resemblance to it. The other 

 parent is C. Mrs. Cary Batten, of which an 



Haddon House variety. 

 illustration appeared in the ORCHID WORLD, 

 Vol. I., page 156. In our reproduced 

 photograph of the Haddon House variety of 

 Desdemona the characteristics of the parental 

 species are plainly visible. C. Spicerianum 

 gives width and flatness to the dorsal sepal, 

 and is also responsible for the broad, white 

 margin ; C. insigne adds many of the large 

 spots and blotches ; while Boxalli yields the 

 blackish markings arranged in vertical style 

 on the central portion. The broad sepals as 

 well as the labellum partake very much of 

 those often seen in villosum and its near 

 relation Boxalli. 



Both the above described flowers have 

 been cultivated in the Haddon House 

 collection by Mr. E. W. Thompson, to whom 

 considerable credit i? due. 



VOL. V. 



20 



