40 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ January 17, 1389. 
form, the Cypripedium has developed in an altogether different 
direction from other Orchids, hence the wide divergence in characters 
now observed, which is sought to be accounted for by the extinction 
of intermediate forms. 
In Orchids we naturally look for special adaptations to favour 
cross-fertilisation, and the labellum commonly serves as the chief 
means by which wandering insects are unconsciously induced to assist. 
In the Cypripediums the labellum serves an important purpose in that 
direction, not so much, however, by attracting as by constituting a 
kind of trap, permitting only one means of escape—namely, at the 
back by the side of the column, compelling the intruder to carry 
with it the pollen-mass, which is probably conveyed to another flower, 
and in endeavouring to escape again the first pollinia would be 
jnlaced on the stigma before the next was reached. As an attraciion 
FIG. 6.—CYPRIPEDIUM FARRIEANUM. 
the upper or dorsal sepal, usually so much larger and more showy 
Ihan the other portion of the flower, really takes upon itself the 
duties of the normal Orchid labellum, and it performs its task well. 
The brightest colouring is concentrated there, and it is moreover 
frequently arranged in bold bars or lines of dots tending in the 
direction of the lip, probably acting as guides to the insect 
visitors. 
Self-fertilisation is rare amongst the Cypripediums, but it is a 
rather remarkable fact that with all these adaptations to favour 
cross-fertilisation travellers tell us seed pods are comparatively 
scarce on plants in a wild state, and importers seldom receive 
specimens bearing seed. It is even thought that some species are 
gradually approaching extinction from this cause, as their increase 
by growth is slow, and in any case this must keep the species within 
restricted areas. In one very remarkable case, that of C. Schlimi, 
self-fertilisation is a common occurrence, and the ill effects of this 
are apparent in the weakness of imported plants, and in home- 
raised seedlings not derived from a cross with a stronger species. 
Here we have a tendency to extinction from a directly opposite 
cause from that just assigned—namely, the limited production of 
seeds, as C. Schlimi is endangered by its own fertility. It would 
seem therefore that these Orchids are not the most favoured by 
Nature in the race for life ; yet it is strange that under cultivation 
they are readily increased by seed, crosses are obtained with 
ease, and the number of hybrids already raised and recognised as 
distinct are far more numerous than all the known species. 
The leaves of some of the “ Ladies’ Slippers ” are very interest¬ 
ing and beautiful. In such species as C. Lawrencianum and 
C. Hooker® there is an exquisite marbling or variegation of light 
and dark green, some being tessellated in a most artistic manner. 
In others of the C. concolor type with thick leathery leaves the 
surface is covered with a kind of transparent crystalline glaze, 
through which the markings have a beautiful effect. Of course, 
none of the Cypripediums can be said to rival their charming 
relatives, the Ancectochili or Goodyeras, in beauty of foliage, yet 
they rank next to them in these attractions. 
In growth and habit the members of this genus fall into two 
very distinct groups. First, those with short stems, the leaves 
arranged in a two-ranked manner, with no pseudo-bulbs or tubers, 
but simply the ordinary fleshy roots, these comprising all the 
tropical species cultivated under glass. Secondly, those with 
iaJler herbaceous stems and tuberous roots, including the natives of 
North America and Europe, hardy in this country. Necessarily, 
these require very different cultural treatment, and the plants 
possess very different garden value ; but though the heat-loving 
species with their varieties and hybrids are so much more 
numerous and highly prized by amateurs some of the hardy species, 
especially C. spectabile, when in suitable situations out of doors, 
thriving and flowering freely, are no means rivals in floral beauty. 
The usefulness of many Cypripediums has been amply proved 
by cultivators, not so much by reason of the colour of the flowers, 
as by their duration, which is remarkable in some like C. insigne. 
Flowers of this species cut and placed in water will last for three 
weeks or more in a warm room, while on the other plants they last 
even longer. Some also are almost constantly in flower, C. Sedeni 
being a notable instance of this, for strong plants are rarely without 
flowers at any time of year. The peculiar and sober tints prevail¬ 
ing in the Cypripedium, together with the strange form of the 
flowers, render them rather unfit for arranging with other flowers, 
but alone, or with suitable foliage, they have a good effect. The 
colours also present a series of quiet harmonies in shades of brown, 
green, and purplish crimson, the tints becoming much brighter, 
with a preponderance of rose, in C. spectabile, amongst the hardy 
species, and in the South American or Selenipedium group, with its 
hybrids, such C. Sedeni. 
CYPRIPEDIUMS AT HOME. 
From tropical humid Borneo to the colder drier regions of the 
northern United States and of Europe, representatives of the 
Cypripedium family are found scattered here and there, not in 
great quantities anywhere, and some of them strangely local in their 
distribution. But their chief home is in eastern tropical Asia, compris- 
