232 FLOBA DOMESTICA. 



IK IS. 



IRIDE^E. TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 



So named for its variety of colours. It is also named Flower-de- 

 luce. French, fleur-de-lys ; iris; flambe ; and glaieule; in the vil- 

 lage dialect, gle ; baguettes. Italian, iride ; giaggiolo ; giglio. 



THIS flower claims the whole world as her country : 

 some few species are from America ; several are natives of 

 the colder regions of Asia ; still more, of Europe ; and 

 most of all, of the Cape of Good Hope. 



Some of the species have very large flowers, which, from 

 their colours being very vivid, and several uniting in the 

 same blossom, are extremely showy. Many of them are 

 bulbous-rooted ; and of these the most esteemed is the 

 Persian Iris, for. the beauty and fragrance of its flowers, 

 and for their early appearance ; for it is generally in full 

 perfection in February, or early in March. A few of these 

 flowers will perfume a whole room : their colours are a 

 mixture of pale sky blue, purple, yellow, and sometimes 

 white. This kind, the Tuberous-dwarf, and the Spanish 

 bulbous Iris, may be blown in water-glasses, as directed 

 for the Hyacinth ; only that these will not so well bear to be 

 reserved for late planting, because they are apt to shrink. 

 It is better on this account to plant them in October, or 

 soon after ; at any rate by the end of the year. But they 

 are thought to flower stronger in pots : they like a light 

 sandy earth, and take delight in the morning sun : the 

 more fresh air they have allowed them, when not frosty, the 

 better they will thrive. The earth should be kept always 

 moist ; and, when the flowers and leaves have decayed, 

 the bulbs should be treated as those of the Hyacinth. 

 After they have lain out of the ground about a month, 

 they should be frequently examined ; for if they begin to 



