X. IBIDEM. 785 



the edge of the septum, sometimes coherent in a persistent central free column 

 (Pardanthus). SEEDS usually numerous, sub-globose, or [usually horizontally] com- 

 pressed, sometimes margined or winged; testa membranous, loose or papery, 

 sometimes coriaceous or fleshy; raphe usually free, or easily separable; albumen 

 fleshy or cartilaginous, sometimes sub-horny. EMBRYO axile or concentric, usually 

 half the length of the albumen ; radicle reaching to the hilum, situation variable. 



\IrideoB have been divided into th*e following sub-orders by Klatt : 



SUB-ORDER I. GLADIOLEJS. Spathe 2-valved. Filaments free, unequal ; stigmas filiform. 

 * Gladiolus, *Watsonia, * Spar axis, Antholyza, Diasia, Tritonia, Vabiana, *Galaxia, *Witsenia 

 *AnomatJieca, *Aristea, &c. 



SUB-ORDER II. IRIDE^E PROPER, Spathe mmiy-valved, outer herbaceous, inner membranous. 

 Filaments equal, free or connate at the base. Stigmas petaloid. *Morcea, *0ipura, Xiplnum, 

 Dietes, Diplarrliena, *Iris, &c. 



SUB-ORDER III. CYPELLEJ;. Spathe 2- or many-valved. Perianth-segments unequal. 

 Filaments connate at the base. Stigmas dilated. Pardanthus, Cypella, Libedia, &c. 



SUB-ORDER IV. SISYRINCHIEJ;. Spathe 2-valved. Filaments connate throughout their 

 length. Stigmas simple, or involute-filiform. Herlertia, *Vieusseuxia, *Tigridia, *Ferrai-ia, 



Patersonia, * Sisyrinchium, *Gelasine, *Hydrotcenia, &c. 



SUB-ORDER V. IXIEJ;. Spathe 2-valved. Filaments equal, free. Stigmas linear (except 



Crocus). *Ixia, Hesperantlia, Geissorhiza, Triclionema, *Crocus, &c. ED,] 



Iridece are distinguished from other Monocotyledons with inferior ovariesby their trinary andrcecium, 

 extrorse anthers, and the petaloid stigmas of most of the genera. They have some affinity with Bur- 

 mannincece and Haimodoracece (which see). 



Iridefs are much more extra-tropical in both hemispheres than tropical ; South Africa contains a 

 great number and variety of species, as does Mexico, but they are rare in Asia. Many genera are 

 exclusively African (Sparaxis, Vieussmxia, &c.), or American {Sisyrinchium, Ilydrotcenia), or Australian 

 (Patersonia), whilst several others are dispersed over Australasia and the American continent. Iris 

 inhabits the north temperate regions. Gladiolus and Trichonema, which abound in South Africa, advance 

 as far as the Mediterranean region and Central Europe. Crocus inhabits sub-alpine regions and the plains 

 of Europe and temperate Asia. 



The tuberous or bulbous rhizomes of Iridece contain a small proportion of a fatty and acrid matter, 

 and a large quantity of starch, combined with a peculiar volatile oil, which gives them stimulating pro- 

 perties. Some species lose their acridity by drying or boiling, and their tubers may be used as emol- 

 lients, or even as food ; such are several South African species, which are eaten by the Hottentots. The 

 rhizome of Irisjlorentina is medicinally the most important of the family ; when fresh it is a strong purga- 

 tive ; dried, it stimulates moderately the pulmonary and gastro-intestinal mucous membranes; it enters 

 into several pharmaceutical preparations, and its violet scent is a well-known perfume [Orris-root]; little 

 balls of it, called Iris peas, are used to maintain suppuration after cautery. /. germunica and pallida were 

 formerly used as diuretics and purgatives. The tubers of the Flag or Bog Iris (/. Pseud-acorus), the 

 taste of which is acrid and astringent, are still administered by some country doctors in dropsy and chronic 

 diarrhoea. Those of /. virginica and versicolor are similarly prescribed in North America. /. sibirica is 

 considered an antisyphilitic in North Asia. The rhizome of /. fcctidissiina was renowned among the 

 ancients for the cure of hysteria and scrofula. The bulbs of Sisyrinchium galaxioides, Ferraria punjans 

 and cathurtica, and Libertia ixioides, are used in South America as purgatives and diuretics. Pardanthus 

 chinensis has a high repute in India as an aperient. The root of Gladiolus communis is made into nn 

 amulet by the superstitious peasants of Germany ; that of G. segetum was anciently considered an emme- 

 nagogue and aphrodisiac. The bulbs of Moreea collina, of the Cape, are very poisonous, and have the 

 same effects as Fungi. 



3E 



