958 MONOEPIGYNER. 
MepicinaL Prorerties.—The bulbs of all the plants o 
this family contain a small quantity of fecula, and a consider 
able quantity of an acrid, stimulating, gum-resinous matter. 
which appears to be analogous to that in Squill. The bul 
of the Narcissus pieticus is emetic, and the N. odorus an 
flowers of N. pseudo-narcissus also have this property. The 
are also deemed antispasmodic. 
Porsonovus Properties.—In the form of extract, the last 
mentioned plants, particularly the Narcissus pseudo-narcis- 
sus, are said to be poisonous in the dose of two or three 
drachms. The bulb of the Brunsvigia toxicaria (Amarylli 
_ disticha), and several other species, contain a peculiar mat- 
ter, in which the Hottentots dip their arrows to render the 
poisonous. 
ORDER XXV. 
IRIDE. 
_ Cuaracters.—Herbaceous plants, with fibrous, tuberous, 
or solid bulbous roots; alternate ensiform equiant leaves 
flowers enclosed in a membranous spatha. Perianth colour 
ed, 6 partite, tubular at the base, divisions often entirely s¢- 
= ‘parate. Stamens three, sometimes monadelphous. Ovary 
inferior, 3-celled, style simple, stigmas three, petaloid. 
__ Pericarp a 3-celled capsule, 3-valved, and with a Joculicidal 
_ dehiscence, Seeds with a fleshy or horny albumen, num 
——— a ei on cata in two rows. 
: Examries.—lris, Crocus, Gladiolus. The Crocus odorus 
and C. sativus furnish saffron (the dried stigmata of the 
t), a material used in dyeing. The seeds of [ris Pseu- 
eae e 
