IRIS VERNA. 



SPRING IRIS. 



NATURAL ORDER, IRIDACE/E. 



Iris verna, Linnjeus. — Leaves linear-ensiform, rigid, rather longer than the low, one-flowered 

 scape; tube of the perianth filiform (two inches long), about equalling the length of the 

 segments; sepals and petals nearly equal, oblong-obovate, obtuse, neither crested nor 

 bearded, stigma deeply bifid. Stem or scape three to five inches high, sheathed with 

 colored bracts. Flowers pale blue, the sepals with an oblong, or orange yellow, spotted 

 stripe. (Wood's Class-Book of Botany. See also Chapman's Flora of the Southern 

 United States. \ 



S one proceeds to write a popular chapter on an Iris, the 

 many poetical and historical associations connected 

 with it crowd on the mind. Mythological accounts of its origin 

 in connection with Juno's fair messenger are numerous, and as 

 no two accounts exacdy agree, a collection of the various ver- 

 sions would form a very pretty chapter in imaginative floral 

 literature. 



Louisa Ann Twamley has a pretty story about the naming of 

 the Iris at one of the courts held by Flora, — 



"All \\ith their pearls so fair 

 The gay flowers wreathed were, 



But, midst them all. 

 Crowned at the rainbow festival, 

 A sapphire-colored blossom shone 

 The loveliest there ; no other one 

 Her jewels wore 

 So gracefully. Her robe all o'er 

 Was radiant, yet deep blue, like twilight sky. 

 And softly shaded, as when clouds do lie 

 Upon the deep expanse. 'Twas strange, none knew 

 A name for this fair form, so bright and blue : 

 But sister-flowerets fancifully said. 

 As they to note her beauty had been led 

 By its enhancement in the rainbow shower, 

 They e'en would call her Iris from that hour." 



(45) 



