702 IRIDACEA, 
Distribution and Numbers.—Chiefly natives of temperate 
and warm climates. They are found in various parts of the 
globe, but are most abundant at the Cape of Good Hope. 
Fie. 1057. Fic. 1058. 
Fig. 1057. Diagram of the flower of a species of J7%s, showing solitary 
bract below, six divisions to the perianth arranged in two whorls, three 
stamens, and a three-celled ovary with axile placentation—— Fg. 1058. A 
flower of the Spring Crocus (Crocus vernus) cut open to show the three 
extrorse stamens attached to the outer segments of the perianth.——/7g. 
1059. The three petaloid stigmas of the same with the end of the style. 
— Fig. 1060. Vertical section of the flower of J7is germanica. ce,ce. Two 
of the external and larger divisions of the perianth. ci. One of the internal 
and sma'ler divisions. ¢. Tube formed by the union of the divisions of 
the perianth. e, e. Stamens, covered by the petaloid stigmas, s,s. 0. In- 
ferior ovary, with numerous ovules, g, attached to placentas in the axis. 
Fig. 1061. Vertical section of the seed of the same. ¢. Integuments 
of the seed. p, Albumen. e, Embryo. m. Micropyle. (From Jussieu.) 
Illustrative Genera :—Iris, Linn.; Gladiolus, Towrn. ; Crocus, 
Linn. There are about 560 species. 
Properties and Uses.—The rhizomes of several species possess 
acrid properties, which causes them to be purgative, emetic, &c. 
Some are poisonous, and a few have fragrant rhizomes, Others 
= 
