70 THE IRIS FAMILY. 



segments, crestless and narrowed into claws, the outer ones slightly pubescent. 

 Stamens : three, inserted. Ajithers : linear. F/st// : one ; the style divided into 

 three petal-like parts which arch over the stamens, and bear under their lobed 

 tips, the stigmas. Leaves ; from the base, equitant or folded together lengthwise; 

 sword-shaped ; glaucous. Rootstocks : horizontal. 



It is mostly on hillsides or through the dry woods of the middle districts 

 that this little iris arises, and its exquisite flowers shine brightly amid the 

 trees' dark shade. They have a faint sweet fragrance somewhat similar to 

 that of violets. The underground stems of the irises have all a very acrid, 

 spicy flavour and are considerably used in medicine. From some of the cul- 

 tivated species the renowned orris-root is obtained, 



/, cj'istdta, crested dwarf iris, also a small southern species, is found 

 along rocky streams or in moist, grassy places. By its formation it would 

 at once be known to be an iris, while the crested feature of the outer peri- 

 anth segments adds considerably to its charm. The flower is blue, and the 

 plant spreads by the means of a creeping, tuberous rootstock. Although a 

 lowly individual it is very beautiful. 



/. versicolor, larger blue flag, needs little introduction to the majority of 

 readers, as its regal, beautiful flower claims many admirers. Its setting is 

 usually that of a low, marshy meadow, or it grows by small brooks along the 

 roadsides. In the autumn the rootstock is collected by the people, and 

 by an old Tennessee mountaineer I was told that to carry a bit of it in the 

 pocket and nibble on it occasionally would prove efficacious in the most 

 stubborn case of indigestion. Later, however, I was warned that the same 

 mountaineer belonged to a clan of notorious liars, but also was assured 

 that that air statement was " lowed to be jest so." 



" Born in the purple, born to joy and pleasance, 

 Thou dost not toil nor spin, 

 But makest glad and radiant with thy presence 

 The meadow and the lin." 



Longfellow. 



STOUT BLUE=EYED GRASS. 



Sisyriiichhim grami7ioides. 



FAMILY COLOUR ODOUR RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 



Iris. Blue. .Scentless. Gulf States to Massachusetts. April-Jtily. 



Flowers: from two to four growing in terminal umbels and subtended by two 

 erect, pointed bracts. Pedicels : long, thread-like. Fenanth : with six spreading, 

 obovate segments, their middle veins projected at their summits ; slightly pubescent 

 on the outsides. Basal leaves : erect or declined ; usually somewhat shorter than 

 the stem ; grass-like ; rough and file-like on the edges ; slightly glaucous. Stem : 

 twelve to eighteen inches high ; erect; broadly two-winged ; unequally branched at 

 the summit and having a grass-like leaf at the base of the branches. 



