53 



LIST OF SPECIES. 



In the following pages I give a more formal account of the 

 several species and varieties of bulbous Irises spoken of in the 

 lecture ; but the account in each case is intended for gardening 

 rather than for botanical purposes. I give various synonyms, 

 with the respective authorities, since these are often needed by 

 gardeners ; but I have not attempted to make the list absolutely 

 complete. I give references to figures, since these are often 

 sought for by gardeners. The descriptions under the heading 

 "Characters" are not intended to be botanical descriptions ; I 

 have contented myself with such salient features as will be of 

 help to the gardener. Under the heading " Time " is given the 

 approximate date at which the plant flowers in England. And 

 I have thought that some statement as to the geographical dis- 

 tribution of each kind would be useful and profitable to the 

 gardener. 



At the suggestion of the Secretary, I have added a " key " 

 to the several species and varieties. I do this with great diffi- 

 dence, since it is almost impossible to arrange species in a key 

 under short headings, without bringing into close proximity 

 species which are naturally widely separate ; the arrangement 

 selected is almost sure to be artificial, and so far misleading. 

 Moreover, I feel great hesitation in giving a definite position to 

 any plant which I have not had under cultivation ; and this, to 

 make the key complete, I have been obliged to do. However, 

 such a key as follows may be useful, and I give it for what it is 

 worth. 



KEY. 



I. BULBS WITHOUT SUMMER STORE ROOTS 



A. FLOWERS SESSILE. 



1. Leaves linear : PAGE 



Outer tunics of bulb membranous . (7) I. W'mkleri . . .64 



Outer tunics of bulb netted . . (6) I. Kolpakomskyana . 63 



2. Leaves cylindrical, eight-ribbed . . (3) 7. Bakeriana . . 60 



3. Leaves four-sided : 



o. Standards minute . . . (5) I. Danfordice . . 61 

 /3. Standards not minute : 



aa. Claw of fall much narrower 



than blade . . . (4) I. Vartani ... 61 



