THE RANGE AND DISTRIBUTION OF COLOR IN POGONIRIS 
BY 
M. R. S. STURTEVANT 
I write as a close student of garden Irises, not as a scientist fami- 
liar with the chemistry of color; nor even as a scientific hybridist; 
my inferences are drawn from careful observations of the characters 
of many varieties, and from records of experiments in hybridization, 
incidental to the production of new and worthwhile varieties for the 
_ garden. 
My treatment of the subject is divided into three fairly distinct 
ne parts. First, the actual range of color as recorded from a standard 
_ color chart; second, the distribution and localization of these colors 
upon the various parts of the Iris flower, as suggested, both by appea- 
rance and inheritance; and third, the relative value that these facts 
should be given in formulating a system of classification. 
Recently I compiled a full list of the colors recorded on the Data 
cards of between four and five hundred varieties, and in accordance 
with the actual comparisons with Color Standards and Nomencla- 
ture. This chart has been adopted as a standard by The American 
Iris Society and has proved adequate and convenient, more conve- 
nient for garden use than the Repertoire des Couleurs. It permits of 
the accurate definition of some 1115 colors, of which only 250 to 
300 are found in Irises. Five to seven hues are given between each 
primary color, seven tones between white and black, and both hues - 
and tones are also given in four gradations between pure color and 
grayed neutrality. I enclose a list of terms arranged according 
to Ridgways’Chart. 
It is quickly noted, in studying this list, that two thirds of the Iris 
colors come between violet and red, and even less than one third 
among the yellows. Clear yellows are more common, comparatively, 
than clear violets, but furthermore deep tones of yellow are practically. 
non-existant. The only tones of red and orange hue are of deepshades, 
colors found in the velvety falls of such a variety as Fro. There 
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