white, more or less stained, and spotted with a red
purple. Style smooth, purple; inicldle lobe very thick
and fleshy, rhomboid, bluntly rounded, hollow on each
side above, flat underneath: side lobes narrow, linear,
acute, the points bent slightly inwards, extending beyond
the anthers. Anthers 2, nearly orbicular, inserted
on the inside of the side lobes of the style. Pollen-
masses 2, yellow, covered with a glutinous matter.
Our drawing of this very rare and handsome plant was taken from
a fine specimen that flowered this Spring in the collection of Sir
George Thomas Staunton, Bart, at Leigh Park, Hants, and was by
him sent to Mr. Lambert, in whose collection the specimen is now
preserved; for the following account we are indebted to Mr. George
H a ll, gardener at Leigh P ark , who oberves, that “ it was flowered
in Sir G eorge’s conservatory, and was sent to him by Mr. I. Smirnove,
of the Russian embassy, October 2d, 1828.”
“ I t is a herbaceous perennial, dwarf and erect in its growth,
fibrous rooting, and has in its dormant state all the characteristics of
the Lily of the valley; indeed, the resemblance is so great, that it is
difficult to distinguish between them before the foliage has made its
appearance.”
“ I t was potted in peat and loam, and placed in a frame, and
treated as other half hardy plants; about Christmas it was taken into
the Greenhouse, and placed on a shelf near the glass, then the flower-
bud first made its appearance; but as it grew rather delicate and slender
there, it was removed to the conservatory, where it arrived to full
perfection.”
“ I t is apparently quite hardy, and might do well out of doors in a
south border, care being taken as to soil, and protection in very severe
weather.”
W e agree with Mr. H a ll in believing it to be quite hardy, as it is
a native of the eastern part of Siberia, but we would recommend its
being planted in a north, rather than a south border, as it would not
be so liable to be hurt by cold, in growing too soon in Spring; the
plants of this genus are also fond of a shady situation, generally growing
in woods under the shade of trees, and their roots running amongst
the decayed leaves that have been accumulating for years, and form
a bed o f light soil; this should be imitated as much as possible in
their cultivation. W e believe the present species has never before
been seen in this country, either in a living state, or as specimens; it
is not in P a lla s’s herbarium, nowin Mr. Lambert’s collection, though
there are several specimens of C. guttatiim and C. macranthos, so that
Sir George has been particularly fortunate in flowering it so strong
and perfect.
Cypripedium is derived from xinrji?, Venus, and woiiov, a shoe, the
Engiish appellation is, therefore, Ladies’ Slipper.
1. Peduncle. 2. Ovarium, showing in the back view where it is attached to tlie
periantiiluni. 3. Labellum split open, showing the spots on the inside, tipped with
purple hairs. 4. Lobe of the Column, in a view to show its hollow surface. 5. Style,
front view, showing its large fleshy terminal lobe, and the two side ones to wliicli
the anthers are attached. 0. Back view of the same, showing the anthers in front.
7. The two Anthers.