glossy crimson, ribbed with a darker hue. On the upper length of the
petals are heavy warts; the lower has a greenish tawny stain at base, like
the slipper.
_Lily Measures_ (Dayanum x niveum).--The dorsal is white, daintily
flushed, with green base. Lines of red dots ascend from it, growing
smaller and fainter as they rise. Such lines form a pleasing network on
the petals, which have a yellowish smear at the base. The slipper
corresponds.
_Lawrebel_ (Lawrenceanum x bellatulum).--A grand and gorgeous hybrid. The
green patch at the base of the dorsal is promptly swallowed up by a
crimson cloud, which again fades into a delicious mottling of crimson on a
white ground. The petals are vivid green above, paler below, both changing
to crimson at the tips. Slipper yellowish at the edge and the toe, crimson
between.
_Lawrebel_ (Woodlands variety) shows the difference of colour so often
found among seedlings of the same parentage and the same 'batch.' Here the
crimson is by no means so bright, in fact purplish, but it covers nearly
the whole surface of the dorsal, and what remains is not white but green.
On the petals also, which are broader, green occupies nearly all the
space, though less vivid, and the crimson of the tips almost disappears.
They are heavily spotted with maroon. Slipper dusky purple, netted over
with maroon.
_La France_ (nitens x niveum).--White and very graceful. The only trace
of colour appears in broad pink spots at the base of the dorsal, and
smaller spots, more profuse, at the base of the petals. On the slipper
they are smaller still, set along the edge.
_Lawrenceanum-Hyeanum_ has a broad white dorsal, clouded with green at the
base, and marked with handsome green lines. The narrow petals stand out
firmly, vivid green, with lines of a deeper shade. The slipper also is
green but pale. Another example is very much larger.
_Lawrenceanum Sir Trevor._--This is no hybrid, but a wonderful variety of
the species. The dorsal strangely broad and depressed--squat in fact.
White in colour, with superb green lines mounting from the green cloud
below, it sits tight over the rectangular petals of dark but vivid green,
marked with deeper lines. The slipper is yellowish-green.
_Leucochilum giganteum_ (assumed to be a hybrid of Godefroyae x
bellatulum).--A compact flower, of which the three parts seem equal in
size. White, with a faint ochreous tinge; covered throughout, saving the
margin, with crimson spots, which form almost a blotch in the midst of the
dorsal. Slipper small and white.
_Leysenianum_ (barbatum Crossii x bellatulum).--The dorsal is very
handsome and striking, bright crimson at top, fading to a dusky base,
lined with crimson. The clinging petals, tawny green in the upper length,
are washed with crimson in the lower; all profusely spotted with maroon.
Slipper dull crimson.
_Mrs. Fred Hardy_ (superbiens x bellatulum).--A very dainty hybrid. The
dorsal, white with a greenish centre, is covered with interlacing crimson
lines dotted with maroon, saving the clear margin. The petals almost form
a semi-circle, greenish with a white edge, netted over with pale crimson
and dotted with maroon in lines. The slipper greenish, with a pretty pink
network round the upper part.
_Holidayanum_ (concolor x almum).--Excepting a narrow white margin the
dorsal is bright crimson, darkening towards the greenish base; petals
greenish, with edges and dotted lines of crimson. Slipper dull crimson,
with yellowish toe.
_Hirsuto-Sallierii._--The upper half of the dorsal is white, the lower
clear yellow-green, the whole covered with antlered lines of grass-green;
petals yellow-green, finely frilled, tipped with palest purple. Pale
purple and greenish also is the slipper.
_Mrs. Herbert Measures_ (Lathamianum x Leeanum giganteum).--The great
dorsal, yellow tinged with purple, has the shape of a flattened peg-top. A
broad splash of maroon bisects it. The cinnamon-coloured petals are
flushed with red, and lined with the same tint; the midrib is maroon.
Slipper abnormally wide, purplish.
_Javanicum._--A species, named from its habitat. Small and solidly green
save the white crest of the dorsal, and the pale purple tips of the narrow
petals. Such strong and decided colouring makes it useful to the
hybridiser.
_Measuresianum_ (villosum x venustum).--The small triangular dorsal,
white, is evenly striped with green; petals yellow-green, with a
grass-green base and emerald lines from end to end. The slipper shows a
charming network of vivid green on a tawny yellow ground.
_Marchioness of Salisbury_ (bellatulum x barbatum superbum, Sander's
variety).--Dorsal hollow, broadly crimson all round the margin, dusky
white inside, striped with crimson and speckled with maroon. Petals
closely depressed, white, with a shade of green above, of crimson below,
dotted with maroon. Slipper tawny crimson, with clouding of the same.
_Marshallianum_ (venustum-pardinum x concolor).--Unique in effect. Dorsal
and petals ochreous white, with a faint crimson flush; all densely
covered with minute crimson dots. Slipper of a yellow almost bright.
_Brysa_ (Boissierianum x Sedeni candidulum).--A handsome plant, with long
pale leaves. Dorsal greenish, corkscrew petals similar, tinged with pink.
Slipper pale pink, all the inside prettily dotted with brown.
_Muriel Hollington_ (niveum x insigne).--A broad flower but compact. The
globular white dorsal has a pink cloud at the base and dots of crimson.
The petals, similar, have crimson lines. Slipper prettily mottled with
pink.
_Lavinia_ (concolor x barbatum).--White of ground-colour all through, with
a faintest flush of rose-pink. The whole of the dorsal marked with maroon
dots upon regular lines of crimson. The broad drooping petals are spotted
irregularly with the same tint. The narrow white slipper has a close array
of crimson dots round the edge.
_Cydonia_ (concolor x Curtisii).--Dorsal flesh-colour at the edges; in the
middle a broad green stain which fades towards the apex. Midrib
brown-crimson, with a paler network of the same over all. Petals crimson
above, then greenish, pink or light crimson below, with faint lines and
sharp little dots of crimson-brown. Slipper brownish and green.
_Symonsianum_ (volonteanum x Rothschildianum).--Impressive for size and
width, but not brilliant nor attractive in colour. Dorsal greenish, with
pink-flushed edges, marked by strong lines of crimson-brown. Petals
greenish, tipped with pale crimson, strongly dotted along the edges with
the bristling tufts of Rothschildianum. Slipper nondescript--greenish and
purplish.
_J. Coles_ (Godefrovae-leucochilum majesticum x Dayanum superbum).--A
charming flower. The dorsal is purplish crimson, with a pretty tinge of
green in the midst and narrow white edges; the whole lined and netted
over with crimson-purple. Petals the same, very dark at base, paling to a
greenish centre; all closely spotted with the dark crimson tone. Slipper
maroon, highly polished.
_Princess May_ (callosum x Sanderianum).--A stately bloom, of impressive
colouring. The tall bulbous dorsal is white at the crest, crimson-lake
below, pale green at base; the whole striped with maroon and with crimson
dots. Petals long, drooping far below the greenish slipper, green in the
midst, with crimson edges and profuse dottings of crimson.
_Pylaeus_ (Cardinale x Sedeni).--Pink and pretty. The pointed dorsal is
pale pink above, greenish in the midst. The sharp pink petals have edges
of carmine, and carmine tips. The pouch-like slipper is crimson; its
lining ivory, marbled with pink.
_Phoebe_ (laevigatum x bellatulum).--Rosy-white throughout. The dorsal
bears a cloud of crimson-lake, sharply defined, darkening to maroon at the
base, whence proceed heavy branching lines of crimson and maroon. The
petals, crimson-stained above, heavily dotted all over with maroon, have
white margins. Slipper bright crimson at the top, whitish below.
_Paris_ (bellatulum x Stonei).--A grand beauty. The broad globular dorsal
has a greenish patch in the midst, surrounded by purple, netted all over
with maroon lines. The edges are pure white, as distinct as if drawn with
the brush. Petals depressed, curiously blunted at the tips,
verdigris-green at base, fading and changing to dusky crimson, with heavy
spots of deepest maroon. Slipper purple, netted over with carmine;
yellowish at the toe.
_Rowena_ (Chamberlainianum x bellatulum).--Dorsal greenish-yellow above,
darkest maroon below; branching maroon lines circle upwards. Petals
greenish towards the tips, clouded at base, edged, scored, and dotted all
over with maroon-crimson. The shield of the column intensely dark maroon
and shining. Slipper striped with a pleasant pale crimson, and closely
speckled over with tiny points of a darker shade.
_Mrs. W. A. Roebling_ (caudatum x leucorrhodum).--The colouring is very
delicate. Dorsal long, with a twisted crest; all stainless grass-green.
Petals, which make one complete revolution or twist, softly greenish in
the middle, edged with tender pale crimson, which also appears on the
reverse; the lower base shows a brilliant decoration of tiny crimson bars
round the column. The pouched slipper, bright pink, has a yellow lining,
freckled with greenish dots.
_Reticulatum._--A species, known also as Boissierianum, as curious as
charming. The dorsal, of extraordinary length and the same narrow width
throughout, curls over at the crest--bright pea-green, with slender lines
a shade darker. The petals have the same slender green lines; they are
very thin, closely and evenly twisted in six complete spirals. The shield
of the column intensely dark green. Slipper green, its lining snow-white,
with purple dots.
_Charles Richmond_ (bellatulum x barbatum superbum).--The broad purplish
dorsal has a whitish outline and a greenish tinge in the centre; its
midrib is very strong purple, as are the lines which intersect it. Petals
purple, darker at the base, dotted all over with maroon. Slipper dark
purplish-crimson. In colour, shape, and size alike this hybrid is most
impressive.
_Schofieldianum_ (bellatulum x hirsutissimum).--Very distinct. On a
yellowish-white ground the dorsal has a pale greenish centre, surrounded
by purple, deepening at the base; all scored with branching lines of
purple in dots. The petals are broad and strong, yellowish-white, tinged
with purple, closely covered with maroon-purple dots. Slipper
purplish-crimson, greenish at the toe.
_Southgatense_ (callosum x bellatulum).--The dorsal has a rosy-white
ground, very heavily clouded with dark crimson below, and almost hidden by
strong lines of crimson and maroon. The petals have a touch of bright
green at the base, edges of a lively dark crimson, and strong dots of
maroon. Slipper crimson, dusky yellow at the toe.
_Southgatense superbum._--This is another example of the difference which
seedlings from the same pod may display; cases even more striking could be
adduced with ease. Incomparably finer than the last. The rosy-white dorsal
is stained with crimson up to the edges, and scored with darker lines. The
petals, slightly greenish at the base, have a dotting of crimson on their
rosy-white ground. The slipper, whitish, is prettily speckled with crimson
round the top.
_Massaianum_ (superciliare x Rothschildianum).--A large bold flower.
Dorsal white, greenish in the middle. Clear thin lines of purple, almost
black, alternate with lines equally thin of pale green. The fine long
petals are greenish above, palest purple below, with the massive spots of
Rothschildianum. Strong hairs line the edges. The broad shield is dusky
ochre. Slipper maroon, netted over with a deeper shade.
_Miss Clara Measures_ (bellatulum eximium x barbatum
grandiflorum).--Lively dark crimson. The crest of the dorsal is handsomely
defined by semicircular scallops on each side. Petals depressed, clinging
to the slipper, greenish at base, fading and changing to the same bright
dark crimson as the dorsal; all speckled finely in a deeper shade. Slipper
crimson. A grand flower.
_Measuresiae_ (bellatulum x superbiens).--Dorsal rosy, with green tip and
a faintly green centre, dotted over with maroon in lines. Petals rosy
white, tinged with purple above, strongly speckled with maroon. Slipper
crimson, fading towards the toe, covered with crimson dots.
_Winifred Hollington_ (niveum x callosum).--Dorsal pale dusky crimson,
purple at base; lines of the same colour, accentuated by dots. The
handsome petals are pale purple, with darker branching lines and specks
over all. Slipper purplish, with pale crimson lines.
_Nitidum_ (selligerum majus x nitens).--Very large. The broad white edges
of the dorsal fold sharply back. It is green in the midst, with green
lines and longitudinal rows of strong dark brown spots. Petals clear brown
above, with a tinge of maroon, paler below, with spots of the same.
Slipper brownish. The whole polished and shiny to a degree which gives it
the name nitidum.
But there was one astonishing peculiarity in the flower which I saw--the
first produced. Everyone knows that in the genus Cypripedium the two lower
sepals are fused together, making a single limb, small commonly,
insignificant, and nearly hidden by the slipper. But in this case there
was no attempt at fusion. The lower sepals stood out as clearly as in a
Cattleya, one on each side the slipper--whitish, with green lines and
crimson spots at the base. It will be interesting to observe whether this
deformity--which is in truth a return to the more graceful pristine
form--will prove to be permanent.
_Sir Redvers Buller._--A new hybrid of which the parents are understood to
be Lucie x insigne; the former itself a hybrid--Lawrenceanum x ciliolare.
I have not seen the flower, which is thus described in the _Gardeners'
Chronicle_, Jan. 20, 1900: 'The fine dorsal is of a pale-green tint in the
lower half with dark chocolate-purple dotted lines; the upper portion pure
white, with the basal dark lines continued into it, but of a deep
rose-purple. The petals are yellowish, tinged with rose on the outer
halves and blotched with dark purplish chocolate. Lip greenish with the
face tinged reddish-brown.'
[Illustration: CYPRIPEDIUM BOISSIERIANUM VAR. BUNGEROTHI.]
STORY OF CYPRIPEDIUM PLATYTAENIUM
This is the rarest and costliest of all orchids--of all flowers that blow,
indeed, and all green things, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop upon
the housetop. I think it no exaggeration to say that a strong specimen
would be worth its weight in diamonds if a little one--for the most
enthusiastic of millionaires seem to lose courage when biddings go beyond
a certain sum. But it is long since any plants came into the market.
I suppress part of the name, as usual, fearing to daunt casual readers. Be
it understood that this treasure is a variety of Cypripedium Stoneii; the
specific title should be introduced in speaking of it. Doubtless
platytaenium is a very handsome member of the family, impressive in size
and shape, elegantly coloured. But one who regards the flower with eyes
undazzled by fashion may pronounce that its value lies mostly in its
renown.
But one plant has ever been discovered; and that came to Europe
unannounced. Messrs. Low sold a quantity of a new Cypripedium from Borneo.
Some pieces were bought by Mr. Day, of Tottenham, at an average of eight
shillings each. They flowered successively, and Mr. Day named the species
Stoneii, after his excellent gardener. In 1863, however, one appeared
different to the rest--different, as it has proved, to all the myriads
which have been discovered since. This was named platytaenium. But besides
the merit of rarity, it is distinguished by a peculiar slowness of
growth. Mr. Day multiplied the specimen as fast as he could, but between
1863 and 1881 he only succeeded in making four small plants from it. One
of these was sold to Mrs. Morgan, of New York; it perished, doubtless, for
when, at her death, a Cypriped was put up under that hallowed name, and
bought at a long price, it proved to be the common Stoneii. Mr. Dorman, of
Sydenham, was the victim. I may mention that two of the largest
orchid-dealers in Europe sent an agent expressly to buy this 'lot' in New
York. Mr. Day then had three left. One of them he divided, and gave a
fragment to his sister, Mrs. Wolstenholme. The Tottenham collection was
dispersed in 1881; Mr. Day kept one small plant, Baron Schroeder bought one
for L106; Mr. Lee, of Leatherhead, and Sir Trevor Lawrence, in
partnership, one for L147. Three or four years afterwards this was
divided, each partner taking his share. Baron Schroeder afterwards bought
Mr. Lee's. Also he bought the one Mr. Day kept back, for L159:12s., at the
death of that gentleman. Then Mrs. Wolstenholme's executors put up her
example--which had never flowered--and Baron Schroeder secured it for L100.
These prices do not seem to bear out my statement that platytaenium is the
most valuable of all orchids. Infinitely greater sums have been paid. But
it must be remembered that these were all tiny bits, weakened by division
whenever they grew big enough to cut. At present Baron Schroeder and Sir
Trevor Lawrence have all the stock existing, to human knowledge. How much
either would obtain at Protheroe's for his little hoard makes a favourite
theme for speculation in a gathering of orchidists. They have one
significant hint to go upon. Two years ago Mr. Ames, of Boston, U.S.A.,
commissioned Mr. Sander to offer Sir Trevor Lawrence a cheque of 800
guineas for one plant. And Sir Trevor declined it.
Now for the legend. That consignment of Cyp. Stoneii in which platytaenium
appeared was forwarded by Sir Hugh Low from Sarawak. He recalls the
circumstances with peculiar distinctness, as is natural. The plants were
collected on the very top of a limestone hill at Bidi, near Bau, famous
afterwards in the annals of Sarawak as the spot whence the Chinese
insurgents started to overthrow the government of Rajah Brooke. But the
gold washings had not been discovered then. Such Chinamen as dwelt in the
neighbourhood were mostly gardeners and small traders. A few sought
nuggets in holes and fissures of the limestone, and found them, too,
occasionally. Sir Hugh Low could never frame a satisfactory explanation of
the presence of gold under such conditions, but it is frequent in Borneo.
That auriferous strata should decompose, and that nuggets should be
transferred to another formation during the process, is easily
intelligible. But in many instances, as at Bau, the gold is found at a
considerable height, and no trace remains of those loftier hills from
which it must have fallen. Deposits of tin occur under just the same
circumstances in the Malay Peninsula.
The top of this little hill was a basin, much like a shallow crater,
encircled by jagged peaks as by a wall. Each of these was clothed in the
glossy leaves of Cyp. Stoneii from top to bottom, as it would be with ivy
in our latitude. So easy was orchid-collecting in those days. Sir Hugh had
but to choose the finest, and pull off as many as his servants could
carry. In the hollow of the basin other Cypripeds were growing--plants
with spotted foliage--and he has not ceased to regret leaving these
untouched, since wider knowledge inclines him to fancy that they belonged
to species not yet introduced. At one spot, however, beneath the shadow of
the little peaks, gold-seekers made a practice of camping. Ashes lay thick
there, and bits of charcoal and dry bones. Here sprang a single tuft of
Cyp. Stoneii, and in passing Sir Hugh was tempted to dig it up. He
cherishes a suspicion--which he does not attempt to justify, of
course--that this solitary plant, growing under conditions so different to
the rest, was platytaenium.
Some years afterwards, a young clerk in the service of a German firm at
Singapore, visited Sarawak on his holiday. Orchids made a standing topic
for conversation in that early time. He heard much about Mr. Day's
priceless Cypriped at the capital, and he resolved to try his luck. I may
call him Smidt for convenience; my informants are not sure of the name,
after a lapse of forty years.
There is no trouble in reaching Bau. The village stands on the river
Sarawak, and at any moment of the day a sampan can be hired to take one
thither. Smidt did not travel in luxury. If he kept a 'boy' at Singapore,
like a thrifty young Teuton he left him behind. Servants are as easily
found in those countries as sampans, if one be not too particular. Smidt
engaged a Chinaman who had good recommendations, though not of recent
date, nor from persons living in Sarawak; he had come thither from Penang
to 'better himself,' as he said, and had been working at the gold-fields.
For convenience again we may give him a name--Ahtan.
The project of visiting Bau was not agreeable to this Chinaman. 'I makee
bad pigeon there one time,' he said frankly. But the objection was not
serious.
Bau had changed since Sir Hugh Low's day. In the meantime the Dutch
authorities at Sambas had irritated the gold-diggers of that region to the
point that they massacred a body of troops--I do not mean to hint that the
Dutch policy was unjustifiable. In consequence a great number of Chinamen
fled across the frontier, found profitable washings at Bau, and invited
their comrades. So many came, and they showed such a lawless spirit from
the outset, that the Rajah's government took alarm. But as yet all was
quiet enough.
Smidt had obtained a note from one of the Chinese merchants at Sarawak,
with whom his employers did business, to the head of the Kunsi--the
Gold-diggers' Union, as we should say. That personage invited him to use
his house. Unwillingly did Ahtan accompany his master. He bowed before the
Kunsi chief, and made a long discourse with downcast eyes and folded
hands. The chief answered shortly and motioned him to go about his
business.
If Smidt made inquiries about that wonderful organisation, the Kunsi of
the gold-diggers at Bau, so soon to be crushed in a mad revolt, assuredly
he found matter to interest him. The parent society in Sambas has annals
dating back two hundred years, and its system was imported, they say, from
China without alteration. There is no reason to doubt the statement.
Anyhow, we find among these immigrants, two centuries ago, a perfected
system of trade union, benefit clubs, life assurance, co-operative stores,
and provision for old age, such as British working-men may contemplate
with puzzled and envious despair at the present day. Every detail is so
well adjusted--by the experience of ages--that disputes scarcely ever
arise; when they do the Council gives judgment, and no one questions its
decision. The earnings of the whole body are stored in the Treasury. There
is a general meeting once a fortnight, when the accounts are audited in
public, and each member receives his share as per scale, subject to the
deduction for veterans' past work, widows and orphans, and also for the
goods he has bought at the co-operative store. But I must not linger on
this fascinating theme.
Next day Smidt started to explore the famous hill with Ahtan, who carried
the tambok--the luncheon basket. He found Cypripeds beyond counting and
noted certain spots to be re-visited. Then he chose a shady nook for
lunch, and Ahtan lit a fire.
It was beneath a wall of limestone, a tangle of foliage above, where the
sunlight struck it, but clothed only in moss and ferns and bare roots in
the shade below. There was wind upon the hill as usual, and Ahtan made his
fire in a cleft.
Smith sat on a log opposite, smoking, after the meal. He remembered
afterwards that Ahtan was eager to start, packing his utensils hastily,
and predicting 'muchee rain by'm bye minute.' But no signs of change were
visible. Presently the Chinaman put a quantity of green leaves upon the
fire. Such a volume of smoke arose as called Smidt's attention.