BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. [Cll. XXI. 



Uie class Syngenesia ; it is the fine yellow petal? of the latter 

 which produce the colour used in dyeing; these possess medici- 

 nal properties. 



525. The Iris, is one of the most common of our garden 

 plants ; several species are found in meadows and damp 

 grounds. The common name is flow er de luce, which is a cor- 

 ruption of the French fleur de lis, or flower of the lily. 



526. This was formerly the national emblem of France, as 

 the rose was of England. It was adopted in 1179 by Louis 

 VII ; after this, some kings of the house of Bourbon began to 

 use upon their seals and coat of arms, three of these flowers. 



527. When, on the fall of the Bourbon family, Napoleon be- 

 came emperor of the French, he adopted the Roman Eagle for 

 his emblem. The standard for his army was a gilt-eagle ele- 

 vated upon a long staff; it appeared seated, and with its wings 

 folded, according to the Roman manner of representing this bold 

 and resolute bird. The American Eagle stands, with outspread 

 wings, as if still soaring aloft, and protecting the striped banner 

 which is below him. 



52S. After the ruin of Napoleon, and the restoration of the 

 Bourbon family to the throne of France, the eagle was put 

 down, and the Jleur de Us, or Iris, restored to its ancient ho- 

 nours ; the friends of the restored Bourbons were every where 

 seen with this flower in the button-hole of the coat. 



529. When in 1830, a new revolution drove from France its 

 Bourbon king, Charles X, lliefleur de Us was again in disgrace, 

 and palaces and public works adorned with this emblem were 

 destroyed without mercy. Some have supposed that the white 

 lily is the national flower of the French, but it is undoubtedly 

 the white Iris which is thus distinguished. 



530. You will find the Iris a curious and interesting plant to 

 analyze, which, after what you have now learned respecting the 

 plant, I hope you will feel induced to attempt. The name Iris 

 is so called from iris, the rain bow, on account of the variety of 

 colours which this flower reflects. Purple, blue, orange, yel- 

 low, and white, are often seen shading into one another in 

 some species. The most common Iris is that which is found in 

 marshes, and known by the name of Blue flag, and sometimes 

 Poison flas:. 



525. Give an account of the Iris. 



526. Who adopted this flower as a national emblem 1 



527. When was the Roman Eagle substituted for the Fleur de lis ' 



528. When was the Iris restored to its ancient honours 1 



529. How was the fteur de lis regarded after the revolution of 1830 * 



530. Why is the Iris so called 1 



