40 A REMINDER TO PLANT TO HELP 



Thatching In countries where the Iris grows in abundance, 

 its broad leaves, sometimes called "flags," are used by the peas- 

 antry to thatch their cottages. 



t 



"And at the utmost point * * * stood there 

 The relics of a weed-inwoven cot, 

 Thatched with broad flags." 



Shelley: Marenghi. 



Orris Root "Orris root" is a corruption of "Iris root." The 

 violet scented chalky appearing orris root of commerce is obtained 

 from several species Iris florentina, Iris germanica and Iris 

 pallida the first named yielding the principal supply. The 

 rhizomes are taken from the ground in the spring, and after the 

 removal of the rootlets and the skin or bark they are put aside 

 to dry. When fresh they have an earthy odor but in drying 

 they acquire the pleasant smell of violets which is fully de- 

 veloped after about two years which they retain indefinitely, 



" * * * like the violet, which decayed in bloom, 

 Survives through many a year in rich perfume." 

 Scott: Epilogue. 



Orris root is much used in perfumery. It is principally used 

 in powdered form, for sachet powders, tooth and hair powders 

 and other scented dry perparations. The dried root is sometimes 

 chewed to conceal an offensive breath, but care should be taken 

 not to swallow it, for it is diuretic, emetic, and cathartic and apt 

 to occasion nausea and prostration. 



Formerly powdered orris root was used as a complexion beauti- 

 fier. The root of a species of Iris grown on the thatched roofs in 

 China and Japan, is used for the same purpose, and the origin of 

 such roof-growing, is thus given in Mrs. Eraser's Book of Japanese 

 Tales: 



"Once there was a great famine in the land, and it was 

 forbidden to plant anything in the ground that could 

 not be used for food. The frivolous Irises only supply 

 the powder with which the women whiten their faces, but 

 their little ladyships could not be cheated out of that". 

 'Must we look like frights as well as die of hunger?' So 

 every woman set a tiny plantation of Irises on the roof 

 of her house, where they are growing to this day." 



