246 THE TRILLIUMS. 



Herbs with equitant, 2-ranked leaves. 

 Periantli adherent to the ovary. 

 Segments in 2 sets, contorted in bud. 

 Stamens 3, with extrorse anthers. 

 Stigmas 3, opposite to the stamens. 

 Capsule 3-celled, 3-valved. 

 Seeds many, with hard albumen. 



The Irids are more remarkable for beautiful and fugitive flowers 

 than for useful products. Besides those already noted, we find here 

 the Mexican Tigridia, the Crocus, Tritoyiias, Watsonias, etc. 



The Aromatic Orris-Root used in all tooth-powders, with the aroma 

 of Violets, is obtained from the Florentine Iris (/. Florentlna). 



Saffron, a well-known yellow dye as well as a useful medicine, is 

 the dried stigmas of Crocus satlmis.* 



LXV. THE TRILLIUMS. 



Description. — These plants are peculiarly interesting 

 for the symmetry of their construction, the ter7iate division 

 being extended in them throughout. They may be sought 

 generally in shady forests, which they enliven with their 

 conspicuous bloom in the month of May, rarely earlier. 

 While the genus is widely disseminated in the country, 

 the species are local, no one kind being within the reach of 

 all. It is therefore expedient to direct attention to the 



Geis'ekic Charactees. — The Stem arises from a tuberous 

 root-stock always ^remorse, i. e., ending abruptly as if bitten 

 off, in consequence of the decay of the portions grown in 

 previous years. Each plant has 3 leaves and 1 flower. 



The I^eaves are verticillate and exhibit a reticulate 

 venation, as if the plant were an Exogen, which it is not. 



* Saffron is referred to in the Song of Solomon as a valuable product. In ancient 

 Greece and Rome, it was a condiment highly esteemed on the tables of the rich. Our 

 Saxon ancestors relished jusselle— a compound of eggs, grated bread, saffron and 

 sage ; and an old English writer says, " Without saffron we cannot have well-cooked 

 peas." Saffron is still used at the East as a perfume. As only the stigma of the 

 Crocus should be used, the drug is costly, and is often adulterated with the florets of 

 Marigold and Safflower {Cdrthamufi tinctorim), which want the aromatic and stimu 

 lating properties of the Crocus-saffron. 



