From the Past - Posies and Politics

While watching/listening to the presidential debate this evening, I worked on some photos. OK, so most of my attention was taken up by the debate and I only managed to crank out one photo, but that's not really a bad thing.

Tonight's subject is another botanical specimen - collected in June of 1888. This lovely orchid is a yellow lady's slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum).


(Photograph taken courtesy of the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, Roger Williams Park, Providence, RI.)

I think it's interesting that this specimen happens to be from 1888 - another election year. According to Wikipedia, 120 years ago President Grover Cleveland was campaigning against Benjamin Harrison, looking to secure a second term in office. President Cleveland won the popular vote, but lost the election by 65 electoral votes. Apparently, dividing up the Dakota territories into states was the big issue of the day.

And now you have some more useless trivia clattering around in your brain! :-)