468 BOTANY. 



fifteen years, but in cool climates it requires from thirty to seventy or 

 more. The mature plant lias a cluster of thick, sharp-pointed radical 

 leaves, each about 2 metres (6 ft.) long, from the centre of which it 

 sends up a flowering stem 10-15 cm. (4-6 in.) thick, and 5-6 metres 

 (16-20 ft.) high, bearing hundreds of yellow flowers. The Mexicans 

 cut out the central bud just before the lengthening of the flowering 

 Btem, and from the juice, which flows out in great abundance, obtain 

 by fermentation the drink called " Pulque," or by distillation the more 

 generally used " Mescal." The subterranean stems possess a detergent 

 principle, and under the name of " Amole " are much used by the 

 Mexicans in washing. The strong .fibres in the leaves are used for 

 cordage. 



Hcemanthus toxicaria, of Sou*!?. Africa, has a poisonous bulb, which 

 is used by tbe Hottentots for poisoning their arrows. 

 Many species are grown for the beauty of their flowers ; among these 

 may be mentioned : 



Amaryllis, of many species, mostly from South 

 Africa and South America. 



Galanthus m'valis, the Snowdrop, of Europe. 

 Leucojum vernum, the Snowflake, of Europe. 

 Narcissus, of many species ; this includes the 

 Daffodil, Jonquil, Polyanthus, etc., all natives of 



Europe. 



Pig. 360. Flower _ ., __,. T . _, ., _. 



diagram of irida- Order Iridaceae. The Iris Family. The sta- 

 ceae. After Sachs. me us are only three (by the abortion of an inner 

 whorl, Fig. 360), and the leaves are equitant. The order contains five 

 hundred species, which are mainly found in the south temperate clim- 

 ates, a smaller number occurring in north temperate regions. They 

 contain a purgative principle, which has been used in medicine. 



Crocus vernus and other species are commonly grown for their early 

 spring flowers ; the dried stigmas of C. sativus constitute the drug Cro- 

 cus or Saffron used in medicine and also in dyeing. 



Gladiolus psittacinus and other species, Jrnm the Cape of Good Hope, 

 are deservedly popular as ornamental plants. 



Iris Oermanica, of Europe, and many other Old World species, are 

 common in gardens. 



Our native J. versicolor, I. cristata, and others, are also worthy of 

 culture. 



563. Cohort XH. Taccades. This includes two small 

 tropical orders of herbaceous plants. 



Orders Taccacese and Burmanniacese. 



564. Cohort XIII. Orchidales. Herbs with a hexamer- 

 ous (rarely trimerous) zygomorphic perianth ; the stamens 

 and style more or less confluent into a common column, and 



