IBIS. 241 



LXI1I. IRIS, OR BLUE FLAG.* 



Description. The Blue Flag is everywhere associated 

 with swimming bogs, bull-rushes, and frogs. We look for 

 the large blue flowers in June. Several new features, and 

 new combinations of old ones, here await the student's 

 pleasure. 



Analysis. The base of the stem will remind him of the 

 rhizome of the Bloodroot. The leaves are decidedly paral- 

 lel-veined, and arranged alternately, in 2 ranks. As to form 

 and position, they are ensiform (ensis, a sword) ; that is, 

 linear in outline, and vertical, or with the edges turned 

 upward and downward. The vernation of the leaves, as seen 

 in a cross-section of an early shoot (2), is equitant (i. e. 

 riding astride). 



The Flower. Note the inflorescence, and bracts ; the 

 convolute aestivation of the calyx and corolla as seen in a 

 cross-section of the bud ; and the position of the floral 

 organs exhibited in a vertical section (3), the latter showing 

 the adhesion of the perianth to the (inferior) ovary. The 

 attitude and colors of the sepals and petals are remarka- 

 ble ; the former reflexed, the latter erect or even incurved 

 over the central organs. The 3 stigmas would hardly be 

 known were it not for their position, so much do they 

 resemble petals. These are properly winged styles, only the 

 tip of the upper surface being stigmatic. At the base, they 



* The Iris has an historic interest. Several species-of the flower have borne the 

 name flower-de-luce or fleur-de-lis, from the French Fleur-de-Louis, as during the 

 Crusades that king adopted it as the emblem of his shield, and strewed it on the man- 

 tle of his son at the coronation in the cathedral at Rheims (Brief History of France, 

 p. 46). After the battle of Crecy, it was united with the arms of England, but after- 

 ward gave place to the Shamrock of Ireland. It is still the Lily of France. The 

 ancients regarded the Iris as the emblem of eloquence or power. It was placed on 

 the brow of the Sphinx, and the kings of Babylon bore it on their scepter. 

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