HABITS OF THE ADEPHAGA. 
131 
Cypripedium .—From Kvirpts, Venus, and wocbov, a slipper; the nectary some¬ 
what resembling a shoe in form, and in texture being sufficiently delicate for the 
attire of a goddess. 
Cypripedium calceolus , Lady’s-slipper.—The singular structure, and the 
peculiar elegance of this plant, render it a desirable acquisition for the flower- 
garden. It is an object of constant search to gardeners and cultivators, and 
likely soon to add to the number of those which have been natives of our isle: 
It is not easily propagated, but may be increased by parting the roots, which 
flourish most in bog earth and decayed leaves, and should not often be removed. 
By the English name it would appear that the piety of Romish devotees had 
transferred the slipper from the heathen goddess to the Virgin Mary. 
Cytisus. —K vTiaos, of the ancient Greeks; said to be so called because it came 
from the island of Cythnos, one of the Cyclades. 
Cytisus scoparius , Common Broom.—The great profusion of beautiful golden 
yellow blossoms which this shrub produces during the early part of Sum¬ 
mer, renders it highly deserving a place in the shrubbery. It merits some 
attention also as a useful plant in rural economy and medicine. It was formerly 
called Planta genista , and under this name possesses much historical interest, as 
from hence was derived the word Plantagenet. The seeds, wasted, have been 
sometimes used as a kind of coffee, and the tender tops as a substitute for 
hops. The twigs and branches are sometimed used for making besoms. They 
are also used for tanning leather, for which purpose they are said to be not 
inferior to Oak-bark. The macerated bark is found capable of being manufactured 
into cloth; and the plant, when burnt, affords a tolerably pure alkaline salt. 
The flowers yield an abundant supply of honey for Bees. The old wood furnishes 
the cabinet-maker with most beautiful material for veneering. 
Coggeshall , Essex , 
June 4, 1839. 
A GLANCE AT THE HABITS OF THE ADEPHAGA. 
By Peter Rylands, Esq. 
(Continued from Vol. IV., p. 347.) 
In The Naturalist I have more than once expressed an opinion that to devote 
the pages of a periodical to papers intelligible and suited alone to the professor, 
is to render abortive one of the otherwise most fertile methods of instructing the 
student, and diffusing instruction on, and exciting a taste for natural sciences. 
Entertaining these views, it has been my endeavour to apply them; and conse- 
