1218 
NS | ÍRIS* ténax. 
N Tough-threaded Iris. 
TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
Nat. ord. 1RIDEZ. 
IRIS. — Supra, vol. 3. fol. 246. 
$ Div. Imberbes. 
I. tenax; imberbis, foliis lineari-ensiformibus tenacissimis cauli unifloro 
subsequalibus, corolle tubo brevissimo, ovario longipedunculato nudo, 
petalis exterioribus obovatis acuminatis venosis, stigmatibus bilobis ab- 
breviatis. 
I. tenax. Douglas journ. ined. re 
Planta cespitosa, foliis rigidis, erectis, lineari-ensiformibus, semper- 
virentibus, tenacissimis, floribus (in spontaneo) brevioribus. Caulis erectus, 
pedalis, v. paulo major, angulatus, foliosus, basi vestigus foliorum vestitus, 
ut Allium Victorialis. Ovarium longipedunculatum, haud foliis floralibus 
inclusum, subtriquetrum. Flores magnitudine I. virginice, in ovario ses- 
siles, atro-purpurei, venosi, petalis exterioribus obovatis, acuminatis, ‚pa- 
tentibus, imberbibus, interioribus obovatis, rotundatis, erectis, brevioribus. 
Stigmata biloba, abbreviata. 
A new species discovered by Mr. Douglas, to whom 
we are much indebted for the following memorandum con- 
cerning it: — 
“ A common plant in North California, and along the 
coast of New Georgia, in dry soils or open parts of woods; 
flowering in April and May. 
“ The native tribes about Aguilar river, in California, 
find this plant very serviceable for many purposes : from 
the veins of the leaves fine cord is made, which is con- 
verted into fishing nets; and from its buoyancy, great 
strength, and durability, it suits this purpose admirably. 
* Iris was the Greek name of the rainbow, and has been applied to this 
genus on account of its ever-varying colours. 
