IRIS. 67 



and astride the next one within. Leaves disposed in thin 

 manner are consequently said to be equitant (eqiies, a 

 horseman). As the leaf rises upward it alters in shape, 

 becoming flat and sword-like. Besides being equitant, 

 these leaves, on account of their direction, are described 

 as vertical. You will observe, also, that they are straight- 

 veined. 



From the centre of the cluster of leaves rises the scape 

 which bears the flower. If your specimen has a flower- 

 bud upon it, as is most likely, you will notice the way in 

 which its leaves are folded. The mode of folding here 

 exhibited is common to a great 

 many flowers, and is described 

 as convolute. In the full-blown 

 flower the perianth will be found 

 to consist of six pieces, in two 

 distinct sets of three each ; the 

 outer three are considerably 

 larger than the others, and are 

 bent backwards or reflexed; the 

 Fi ?- 90. inner ones are erect. There are 



three stamens, each of them beneath and close against 

 an over-arching body, the nature of which is not at first 

 quite manifest. Cut away the perianth and the stamens, 

 and you will then have left the three radiating coloured 

 arches (Fig. 90), which will be seen to unite below into 

 a slender column. You have also left what is apparently 

 the swollen top of the scape. This, when cut across, is 

 found to be a three-celled ovary, which is thus, of course, 

 inferior. The slender column above is the style, and the 



Fig. 90. Pistil of Iris. (Wood and Steele.) 



