126 



THE ORCHID WORLD. 



|M;ircli, 1914. 



Cypripedium 'Besdemona, F.C.C., M.O S.; A.M., R.H.S. 



THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CYPRIPEDIUM. 



ALMOST all species have a tendency to 

 vary slightly from the normal type, 

 ^ in some this variation is hardly 

 perceptible, in others it extends to a wide 

 degree. In hybrids the tendency to varia- 

 bility is often greater than that seen in their 

 parents, whether these be species or hybrids. 

 By continually selecting as parents those 

 plants that show an inclination to develop 

 according to one or more ideals of the 

 hybridist, new strains, or improved varieties 

 as they are more frequently called, are 

 brought into existence. 



In the development of the Cypripedium an 

 immense improvement has been effected in 



the general conformation of the flower. From 

 the early forms with narrow segments many 

 noted varieties with broad sepals and petals 

 have been evolved. To such an advanced 

 degree has the dorsal sepal been broadened 

 that m not a few examples it reaches almost 

 to the extremities of the petals. This 

 extension, however, is unfortunately very 

 often brought about by a lessening of the 

 dorsal's height, thus giving rise to the 

 description — a chubby flower. 



It is, of course, difficult to form an opinion 

 as to how far the development of any 

 particular component part may be carried ; 

 no doubt improved varieties may be selected 



