228 miDE^ 



flowering and decay of the bulbous plants are the only signs of their 

 almanacks which serve to indicate either the years of their age or the course 

 of time. 



2. Stinking Iris {I. fcetidissima). — Leaves sword-shaped; perianth beard- 

 less, its inner segments about as long as the stigmas ; rootstock creeping. 

 This species is not nearly so showy a flower as the Yellow Iris ; for its sepals 

 and petals are of a dull blue, or, in some rare instances, the petals are a 

 dingy yellow. The plant has a singular odour ; and while it is untouched, 

 this is not disagreeable, reminding one of roasted meat — hence in some 

 places it is known as " Roast-beef plant ;" but if we break the stem or crush 

 a leaf, its scent becomes extremely unpleasant. This Iris is generally a foot 

 or a foot and a half high ; and though a local plant, is common in the west 

 and south-west of England, having a predilection for limestone. It is 

 abundant in the woods and thickets of Devonshire, and grows in several 

 parts of Kent. South of Durham it is believed to be native, but northward 

 and in Ireland it has become naturalized. It bears its flowers from June to 

 August, and the soft leaves are so acrid that their juice produces a most 

 burning sensation on the tongue. These leaves, steeped in beer, are used 

 by country people as medicine ; and all parts of the plant were praised by 

 the old herbalists, though, as one of them observes, seeing that a decoction 

 of the plant -'somewhat hurts the stomach," it should not be taken internally 

 without honey. It was supposed to cure all disorders of the liver; and 

 coughs, colds, and headache were believed to be speedily dismissed by its 

 use ; while gout and other painful diseases were to be relieved by an oil 

 which was prepared with the plant, and termed Oleum iriwim.. 



This and other species of Iris were from early times called "fleur de lis," 

 or "flour de luce." Chaucer apparently refers to a Avhite foreign species : 



'■ His nekke was white as is the flour de lis." 



Dr. Turner, in 1568, calls it "flour de lyce;" and Gerarde, "flower de luce;" 

 reminding us of Shakspere's lines : 



"Lilies of all kinds, 

 The flower-de-luce being one." 



Several flowers were called lilies in those days, including both the Iris and 



the daftbdil ; and it is probable that " fleur de luce " was originally " fleur 



de Louis." 



The Iris has an historic interest. Louis the Seventh of France adopted 



it as the emblem of his shield during the Crusades, and strewed it on the 



mantle of his son, when he caused him to be consecrated at Eheims. After 



the battle of Cressy, it was united with the arms of England. Gray refers 



to this : 



"Great Edward with the lilies on his brow, 

 From haughty Gallia torn ;" 



and it remained emblazoned on the arms of this country till, on the union 

 with Ireland, it yielded to the Shamrock. It is still the Lily of France ; and 

 it was from earliest ages considered, in Eastern countries, as a symbol of 

 powei\ A fleur-de-lis, exactly like that of the emblem of the French 

 monarchy, was found surmounting a sceptre on a monument of highest 



