10 



above ground ; it flowers distinctly later than Histrio, though 



often earlier than the 

 ordinary reticulata, 

 and, unlike Histrio, 

 is perfectly hardy in 

 this country. More- 

 over, though some 

 specimens are spot- 

 ted and 

 blotched 

 very like 

 Histrio, 

 the plant 



as a whole is very variable 

 in colour, and some speci- 

 mens are of a uniform blue, 

 marked only by deeper veins. 

 The flowers are often large, 

 larger than in any other 

 form of reticulata, the segments 

 being broad, broader even than those 

 of the variety Krelagei, and the foliage 

 is remarkably stout. It is a very 

 handsome plant, and a great addition 

 to our gardens. 



So far for the actual species, 

 I. reticulata and its varieties ; but 

 we now know three other forms, 

 which, though they differ specifically 

 from I. reticulata, must be con- 

 sidered as belonging to the reticulata 

 group. 



From the neighbourhood of 

 Nazareth I obtained, through the 

 kindness of Dr. Vartan of that city, 

 an Iris (fig. 8) which in dried herba- 

 rium specimens has probably been 

 confounded with I. reticulata, but 

 which when cultivated proves to be 



FIG. 8. IRIS VABTANI 

 (Caparn). 



very distinct. Itlias netted coats to the bulbs, and four-sided leaves, 



