IRIwS. 187 



IRIS. 



Natural Order JUnsatee. Iridcs, Juss. A Genus of the 

 Triandria Monogynia Class. 



Iris, on saffron wings aray'd with dew 



Of various colours, through the sun-beams flew. 



Virgil. 

 Tlie various Iris, Juno sends with haste. 



Then clad in colours of a various dye, 

 Junonian Iris breeds a new supply. 



Ovid. 



The ancients named this plant after the attendant 

 of Juno, because its colours are the same as those 

 which the poets and mythological writers have 

 bestowed on the messenger of their goddess. Iris 

 is generally depictured as descending from the rain- 

 bow, and her arch is said not to vary more in its 

 colours than the flower that has been honoured by 

 her name. 



Columella observes in his tenth book — 



Nor Iris, with her glorious rainbow clothed, 



So fulgent as the cheerful gardens shine 



With their bright offspring, when they're in their bloom. 



Milton distinguishes these flowers as " Iris, all 

 hues.' 1 Every quarter of the world possesses the 

 Iris, and, excepting the Rose, no flower has been 



