J 62 NAT. ORDER. IRIDEiE 



pagated by them without difficulty, requiring about the same 

 treatment as other plants of a similar character. Some authors 

 describe the flowers as being painted in the most gay and lively 

 colors ; but in all the specimens which we have seen, the blossoms 

 have been of a pale, or faded, yellowish color, shaded in particu- 

 lar parts with very fine pencillings, especially on the under side. 

 ]\Iost authors describe the flowering-stems as producing only two 

 flowers. Linneeus has observed that they sometimes produce 

 many ; and we have seen thetn do so, where the plant has grown 

 in perfection. 



Medical Properties and Uses. Most of the plants comprising 

 this order are more remarkable for their beautiful fugitive flowers 

 than for utility. A few are stimulating ; some diuretic ; and quite 

 a number purgative. The Gladeolus ^m^i* is a powerful cathartic, 

 and has been used as such for many years in all the eastern coun- 

 tries. In the United States, its use is but little known, and re- 

 quires to be further investigated, and its properties more particu- 

 larly defined, before it is brought into general jaractice. By some 

 this plant has been considered as a powerful emmenagogue, and 

 has been used for particular purposes, foi* which that class of 

 plants are so notorious. 



The establishment of this class has occasioned considerable 

 hypercriticism ; yet, as pointing out a change to be produced, it is 

 equally proper with emetics or cathartics; nor is it an objection, 

 that we must produce the change through some medium, and not 

 by any direct action on the vessels themselves. All emmenagogues 

 are generally or partially stimulants, tonics, or anti-spasmodics ; 

 and hence have a direct action upon those organs which are cal- 

 culated to promote heemorrhage. The dose of the extract is from 

 two to five grains, which may safely be given three times a day 

 That of the decoction is from half to a whole fluid ounce. Both 

 the extract and decoction are prepared after the manner of other 

 similar preparations. 



