528 ORDER IRIDACEJE, OR IRIS TRIBE. 



of spiral vessels they contain, which may be pulled out in 

 handfuls ; these are collected in the West Indies, and used 

 as tinder. The juice of the fruit of one species is employed 

 as a dye. 



705. The next order, IRIDACE^:, or Iris tribe, is well known 

 in this country by the wild species, commonly termed Corrirflags, 

 which abound in moist and shady places, and by the more showy 

 kinds introduced from abroad, which are now among our com- 

 monest garden plants. The order is characterised by the pecu- 

 liar arrangement of the leaves, which are said to be equitant. If 

 we pull one from its origin, we shall find that what appears to 

 be a flat expanded leaf does in reality expose but half its surface, 

 the leaf being folded together, so that its under side is entirely 

 concealed. These folds are adherent together at their upper 

 part ; but at the lower they are commonly separated by a new 

 leaf, which may be thus represented ^^^^* It is from the 

 resemblance between the position of the external leaf, and that 

 of the legs of a man on horseback, that it is said to be equitant 

 or riding. These leaves may probably be considered as in 

 reality very large bracts, the true leaves being undeveloped; 

 for the flower-stalks rise from between their folds, just as they 

 do from within the sheathing bracts of Musacese, &c. In the 

 Iris, the external whorl of the flower, as well as its interior, is 

 brightly coloured ; but this is not universal in the order. The 

 three sepals are broad and spreading, and are often ornamented 

 with a beautiful feathered crest ; the three petals stand erect, 

 and curve over the centre of the flower ; and the stigmas are 

 broad richly- coloured parts, resembling petals, and spreading 

 away from the centre. At first sight it might be thought, that 

 the Iris is almost destitute of stamens ; but if the stigmas be 

 lifted up, these will be found hidden beneath their broad lobes , 

 they are three in number, and are remarkable for the peculiar 

 position of the anthers, which have their faces (the side on 

 which they open) turned towards the sepals, instead of towards 

 the style. The carpels also are three in number, and adhere 

 together so as to form a three-celled ovarium, the partitions 



