Pink Lady’s Slipper; Moccasin Flower ( Cypri - 
pedium acaule) has solitary flowers surmounting a 
scape from 8 to 12 in. high; lip large, drooping, pink, 
with a slit in front, instead of a circular opening as 
in the others. It frequents dry woods and may be found 
from southern Canada, southwards. 
Although this is the most common of the Lady’s Slip¬ 
pers, it is no less beautiful than the others. The flower 
of the present species is a very ingenious contrivance; 
it is fertilized by the common bumblebee. The only 
entrance is through the fissure in the front; it requires 
considerable pressure to force his burly frame through, 
but at length he succeeds and the aperture closes behind 
him. After eating his fill he takes the easiest way out, 
towards the base where he can see two spots of light. 
As he forces his way through the narrow passage he 
comes in contact with a sticky stigma, armed with in¬ 
curving hairs which remove any pollen he may have on 
his back; as he continues his struggle out he reaches 
an anther blocking the passage and waiting to clap its 
load of pollen on his back. 
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