198 ALPINES AND BOG-PLANTS 
like weeds, but sometimes they utterly refuse to flower— 
yes, although they may have grown into masses many 
yards in width. But perish this disheartening thought! 
Down with it into the depths of the darkest cupboard at 
the back of my consciousness ! 
Of the larger bearded Irises little more remains to tell. 
There are some fine garden hybrids, of which Queen 
Emma and Queen of May stand pre-eminent. Statellac 
is of medium size, with globose flowers of sulphur-yellow ; 
sambucina is particoloured and not conspicuous by the 
side of germanica and pallida; as much may be said of 
biflora, subbiflora, intermedia. But I have a magnificent 
stout Unknown from the shores of Como, which, at 
present, I suspect of being nearly related to pallida; this 
is very stalwart and tall, with leaves as fierce and broad 
as a Phormium’s, and rare illustrious flowers of a lavender 
that verges towards rose. Finally, of all these bearded 
Irids, there is not one that will not thrive like grass 
in any deep, well-drained soil, in any open, sunny 
aspect. 
Of the bulbous Irids I will now speak, but with tender- 
ness and the delicacy of Agag. Indeed, in all I say on 
Iris, I hope I may be understood to be speaking with the 
most shrinking modesty. I am in no sense a connoisseur 
or specialist on Iris. I specialise on too many other 
things; and, besides, my anti-Irid climate forbids. 
Therefore, though I have a number of species and 
varieties, they are for purposes of decoration only, not 
collation ; and I wander helpless among their names, as a 
sheep that has no shepherd. ‘Therefore let my unknown 
correspondents, whose letters I so enjoy, be kindly in 
their comments, and not scold; respecting my intrepidity 
more than they reprehend my ignorant rashness in ven- 
turing on so tangled a topic, of which, perhaps, they 
themselves are perfect masters. The Irises are a difficult 
