AMARYLLIDACEX. 703 
are employed as colouring agents, and some are commonly re- 
garded as antispasmodic, carminative, &c. Many contain starch 
in large quantities, but as this is usually combined with acridity, 
they are not generally available for food, although some are 
stated to be thus employed in Africa. 
Crocus sativus, the Saffron Crocus.—This plant is the Karcom of the 
Bible. The dried stigmas with the end of the style (jigs. 1058 and 1059) 
constitute Hay Saffron, or when pressed together into a mass they form Cake 
Saffron. The latter kind, however, is not now found in the shops in this 
country ; the substance sold under that name being the compressed florets of 
Carthamus tinctorius (see Carthamus). Satfron contains a colouring prin- 
ciple called polychroite. Saffron is also said to be obtained in Greece of good 
quality from C. Sellerium; and the dried stigmas of other species, as C. 
aureus, C. odorus, C. luteus, C. vernus, &c., are likewise employed to some 
extent for obtaining saffron in other parts of the Continent, &c. Saffron is 
much in request as a flavouring agent on the Continent and in the East. 
It was also formerly much used in this country for a similar purpose, but at 
present is but little employed in this way except in Cornwall. It is official 
in the British Pharmacopeeia, and is principally used as a colouring agent 
in this country, but also to some extent in certain nervous affections, and 
as anemmenagogue, Bird-fanciers also use it, as they believe it assists the 
moulting of birds. 
Iris, Flower de Luce.—The rhizomes of several species are more or less 
purgative and emetic. The so-called Orris-root of the shops is in reality the 
dried trimmed rhizomes of J. florentina, I. pallida, and I. germanica. These 
rhizomes possess a violet odour, and are principally used in perfumery, and 
also for imparting a pleasant odour to the breath; and by the French, 
especially, for making issue-peas. The roasted seeds of 2. Pseud-acorus, 
the Yellow Flag of this country, have been recommended as a substitute 
for coffee, but they are altogether wanting in the important properties 
which render that substance so valuable for the preparation of an un- 
fermented beverage. The rhizome and rootlets of J. versicolor, Blue Flag, 
are official in the United States Pharmacopeeia ; and are regarded as purga- 
tive, emetic, and diuretic. The resinous substance termed iridin or irisin 
by the Eclectics in the United States is obtained from these rhizomes, and 
from those of allied species ; it is regarded as possessing cathartic, alterative, 
and diuretic properties. 
Morzxa (Homeria).—Some species of this genus, more especially that of 
M. collina, and of other Iridaceous plants known under the name of ‘ Tulp’ 
at the Cape, have poisonous properties, and have been the cause of fatal re- 
sults to cattle which have chanced to eat it. Tulp is also poisonous to human 
beings. 
Order 2. AMARYLLIDACE#, the Amaryllis Order.—C harac- 
ter.— Bulbous or fibrous-rooted plants, without any aerial stem, 
or sometimes with a woody one. Leaves with parallel venation, 
and usually linear-ensiform, sometimes dryand harsh. Flowers 
usually on scapes, and spathaceous (fig. 402). Perianth regular 
or nearly so (figs. 402 and 1062), petaloid, superior (fig. 1064) 
with six divisions, and with (figs. 502 and 1063, n) or without a 
corona (fig. 1064) ; zstivation imbricate or valvate. Stamens 
6, inserted on the perianth (fig. 1063) or summit of the ovary 
(fig. 1064) ; anthers 2-celled, introrse. Ovary inferior (fig. 
1064), 3-celled (fig. 1062); placentas axile. Fruit capsular, 
