66 



ELEMENTS OP STRUCTURAL BOTANY. 



The representatives of this large Order are very nu- 

 merous. From the gardens may be had lilies of various 

 sorts, Asparagus, Star-of-Bethlehem, Tulip, Onion, Hya- 

 cinth, &c., whilst the fields and woods supply the Bell- 

 wort, Clintonia, Solomon's Seal, Smi- 

 lacina, and others. As a rule the plants 

 flower in spring and early summer. 



88. Iris. For this lesson any variety 

 of the common garden Flag will answer 

 very well. In our marshes in early 

 summer abundant specimens of a wild 

 species may be obtained without much 

 trouble, but the cultivated plants will 

 probably be more accessible. Note first 

 the fleshy underground stem or root- 

 stock, with the fibrous roots below 

 (Fig. 88). If you have a sufficient 

 length of this root- Fig. 89. 



stock you will notice 

 the scars upon the 

 older portions, show- 

 ing where the leaves 

 of former seasons 

 have been sent .up. 

 The new buds ex- 

 pand into a crowded Fig. 88. 

 cluster of leaves, the shape and arrangement of which 

 should be carefully observed. Cut the whole cluster 

 across near the base, and the section will be as repre- 

 sented in Fig. 89, the section of each leaf being V-shaped, 



Fig. 88. Root-stock and leaves of Iris. (Gray.) 



Fig. 89. Cross section of cluster of equitant leaves. (Gray.) 



