IRIS PSEUDACORUS# ORD. XLVII. Ensaie. 77 
the stalk is upright, round, smooth, alternately inclined from joint 
to joint: the flowers are large, showy, of a yellow colour, and 
stand upon short branches, which proceed from the joints of the 
stem: the corolla divides into six segments or petals, of these, 
the three inner ones are small and erect, the three outermost are: 
large, of a roundish oval shape, turning back, and painted near the: 
base with reddish lines: the calyx is a sheath, or spatha, of two, 
three, or four valves, according to the number of the flowers: the 
filaments are flat and tapering ; the anthere oblong » Vellowish at 
the edges, ‘purplish, and bent down by the stigmata: the germen 
is triangular, and placed below the corolla; the style is short anc 
slender; the stigma divides into three petalous expansions of a. 
yellow colour, these are oblong, bent outwards, and irregularly 
serrated at the extremity: the capsule is triangular, and divided. 
into three eells, which contain numerous flat seeds of a yellow 
colour. 
This plant is common in marshes, and’ on the banks of rivers, 
and is rendered very conspicuous by its large yellow flowers, whicly 
appear in the beginning of July. It formerly hada place in the 
London Pharm. under the name of Gladeolus luteus. The root is. 
without smell, but has an acrid stiptic taste; and its juice on being 
snuffed up the nostrils, produces a burning heat in the nose and. 
mouth, accompanied with a copious discharge from these organs: 
hence it is recommended both as an errhine and sialagogue.* 
This root is such a powerful astringent, that it has been used 
instead of galls in the making of ink,” and also for the purpose of 
dying black;* and from this quality it has been successfully em- 
ployed as a medicine for the cure of diarrheas:* When given with 
this intention, the root is to be well dried; for the fresh root and. 
* Vide sepsrons on the diseases of children, p. 146. Cullen M. M. vy, ii. p. 439. 
> Phil. Trans. No. 117. p. 397. 
* Vide Pennant’s Tour in Scotland, 1772. p. 214. Lightfoot’s Flor. Scot. ¥. 2. p, 86. 
* Blair’s Observations, &c. p. 78.. 
