8o PLANTS GROWING IN MOIST SOIL. 



flower it would seem as though we have a touch of the spirit 

 and pride of Juno. When it unfolds itself, with an almost con- 

 scious air of its own beauty, we are reminded of the bird that 

 opens and parades his gorgeous tail, whenever he finds himself 

 the centre of admiration. And a bit of Iris's scarf must have 

 been wafted to it for its gown ; for the colours blend together 

 while being distinct, as in the rainbow. The ancients thought 

 the iris a sacred flower and associated it with the future state 

 of the blessed. 



The graceful beauty is, however, not all fuss and feathers. 

 It has the same wisdom as many unpretentious flowers and 

 knows how to accomplish its mission in the world. Ely a deep 

 central veining it informs tlie bee of the road he must travel to 

 reach the land of nectar ; and when he has sipped and raises 

 his head from under the anthers, the careless fellow finds his 

 back heavy with gold that he must carry off to the stigma of 

 another flower. Indeed, of all politicians the bees are the most 

 conscientious. 



CRESTED DWARF-IRIS. (Plate XXXV.) 

 Iris cristata. 



This is one of the sturdy dwarf irises, which follows the Al- 

 leghanies and chooses the rocky banks of streams for its dwell- 

 ing place. It blossoms in April and May and is of a soft violet 

 blue. The flower is spreading, with a much longer tube than 

 that of the I, versicolar. Its outer divisions are prettily crested. 

 The leaves are not conspicuous ; lanceolate and clasping. 



POINTED BLUE-EYED GRASS, {Plate XXXVI.) 



Sisyrfnchtum angustifblium, 



FAMILY COLOUR ODOUR RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 



Iris. Blue with yellow centre. Scentless. General. MnyAugtut. 



Flowers : solitary ; growing from a pair of green bracts. Perianth : of six 

 divisions that terminate in a sharp point. Stamens: three. Pistil: one. 

 Leaves: linear; grass-like; pale; glaucous. 



These bright little peep-eyes that attract our attention among 



