G62 IRIDACE^. 



sunshine to dry, the larger bits cut off being reserved for replanting. 

 At the establishment of Count Strozzi, founded in 1806 at Pontasieve 

 near Florence, which lies in the midst of the orris district, the rhizomes, 

 collected from the peasants by itinerant dealers, are sepai'ated into 

 different qualities, as selected (scelti) and sor^ts (in sorte), and are ulti- 

 mately offered in trade either entire, or in small bits (frantumi),. 

 parings (raspature), powder (jpolvere di giaggiolo o dJ ireos), or 

 manufactured into orris peas. 



The growing of orris is only a small branch of industry, the crops 

 being a sort of side-product, but it is nevertheless shared between the 

 tenant and landowner as is usual on the Tuscan system of husbandry/ 



In the mountainous neighbourhood of Verona, the rhizomes of 

 Giglio celeste or Giglio selvatico, i.e., Iris germanica, are collected and 

 chiefly brought to the small places of Tregnano and Illasi, north-east of 

 Verona. The peasants distinguish the selected long roots (radice dritta), 

 the knotty roots (radice groppo) which are used for the issue-peas, and 

 the fragments (scarto) employed in perfumery. 



Some orris root is also exported from Botzen in southern Tyrol. 



Description.— The rootstock is fleshy, jointed and branching, creep- 



the oldest of 



ing horizontally near the surface of the ground. It is formed in 



plants 



WHICH are eviaenuy m a state ot decay. Tliese joints are mobwj 

 dichotomous, subcylindrical, a little compressed vertically, gradually 

 becoming obconical, and obtaining a maximum size when about three 

 years old. They are 3 to 4 inches long and sometimes more than 

 2 inches thick. Those only of the current year emit leaves from their 



extremities. The rhizome is 

 white and juicy, with an earthy 



externally yellowish-brown, interaally 



-— j^'^^j, vriuii du caiLiiy smell and acrid taste. By drying, it 



gradually acquires its pleasant violet odour, but it is said not to attani 

 its maximum of fragrance until it has been kept for two years. 



We have carefully compared with each other the fresh rhizomes ot 

 the three species under notice, but are not able to point out any definite 

 character for distinguishing them apart. 



^ Dried orris root as found in the shops occurs in pieces of 2 to 4 

 inches long, and often as much as 1| inches wide. A full-sized piece 

 IS seen to consist of an elongated, irregularly subconical portion emitting 

 at its broader end one or two (rarely three) branches which, having 

 been cut short in the process of trimming, have the form of short, broad 

 cones, attached by their apices to the parent rootstock. The rootstock 

 1^ flattened, somewhat arched, often contorted, shrunken and furrowed- 

 Ihe lower side is marked with small circular scars, indicating the point 

 ot insertion of rootlets. The brown outer bark has been usually entire y 

 removed by peeling and paring ; and the dried rhizome is of a dull, 

 opaque white, ponderous, firm and compact. It has an agreeable anji 

 delicate odour of violets, and a bitterish, rather aromatic taste, vitn 

 subsequent acridity. 



A sort of orris root which has been dried without the removal ot 

 the outer peel, is found under the name of Irisa in the Indian bazaars. 



ana now and then in the London market. It is, we suppose 



commSff ?"™- "^^r"' "i- (18'2) 229.-We have also to thank him for information 

 communicated personally. 



