IRIS TRIBE. 595 



roots of a few species are used by barbarous nations as 

 an occasional article of food. 



1. IRIS. Perianth with the 3 outer divisions longer, 

 and reflexed ; stigmas 3, petal-like, covering the stamens. 

 (Name from Iris, the rainbow, from the beautiful 

 colouring of the flowers.) 



2. TRICHON^MA. Perianth in 6 equal spreading divi- 

 sions ; tube shorter than the limb ; stigma deeply 3- 

 clcft, its lobes 2-cleft, slender. (Name from the Greek 

 thriXj a hair, and nema, a thread or filament.) 



3. CROCUS. Perianth in 6 equal, nearly erect divi- 

 sions ; tube very long ; stigma 3-cleft, its lobes inversely 

 wedge-shaped. (Name from the Greek crocos, saffron, 

 and that from croce, a thread.) 



1. IRIS (Flower-de-luce). 



1. /. Pseud-dcorus (Yellow Iris, Flag, Corn Flag). 

 Leaves sword-shaped ; perianth not fringed, its inner 

 divisions smaller than the stigmas. Marshes and banks 

 of rivers, common. A stout aquatic plant with creep- 

 ing, acrid roots, sword-shaped leaves 2 3 feet long, 

 and large, handsome yellow flowers. The root yields a 

 black dye, and the roasted seeds, it is said, may be used 

 as a substitute for coffee. Fl. June, July. Perennial. 



2. /. foetidissima (Stinking Iris). Leaves sword- 

 shaped ; perianth not fringed, its inner divisions about 

 as large as the stigmas ; stem slightly flattened. Woods 

 and hedges in the west and south-west of England, not 

 uncommon. Resembling the last in habit, but smaller. 

 The flowers are of a dull leaden hue, and the leaves so 

 acrid as to leave a burning taste in the -mouth, or even 

 to loosen the teeth. The whole plant, when bruised, 

 emits a disagreeable odour. Sir. W. J. Hooker states 

 that "in Devonshire it is so frequent, that one can 

 hardly avoid walking among it when herbalizing, and 

 being annoyed by the smell. " This, however, is an 

 exaggeration. The berry-] ike seeds, which are of a 



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