The hybrid Paphiopedilum Maudiae Hort. is the offspring of Paphiopedilum calloslm var. Sanderae and P. Lawrenceanum var. Hyeanur-n. It has been used in relatively few crosses despite its quality, and its offspring have rarely, if ever, been able to exceed it. It was felt that an orchid of such superiority which produced little and often no seed should be examined cytologically to ascertain, if possible, the causes of its sterility. Accordingly, cytological examination was made of the parents and the hybrid and some observations were made on somatic tissues of certain related species.