273 IRIS VERSICOLOR 



Medical Properties and Uses. Orris rhizome possesses cathartic 

 and emetic properties, and was formerly much used on the Continent, 

 &c., in dropsies, &c., and also, when powdered, as an errhine. It 

 has been recently recommended by M. Allisiardi, of Saluzzo, 

 in Italy, as a febrifuge. In France it is a good deal used for 

 making issue-peas, for which purpose its agreeable odour, acridity, 

 and power of absorbing moisture render it well adapted. It is 

 sometimes given to infants during teething, to rub their gums 

 with but this practice is objectionable, since it is not unfrequently 

 attended with irritation of the mouth and disorder of the stomach 

 and bowels. 



Its chief application is at the present day to cover unpleasant 

 odours in the breath, as an ingredient in tooth powders, and 

 as a perfume ; for the latter purpose it is largely employed. An 

 agreeable perfume, known as essence of violets, may be prepared 

 by digesting one part of powdered orris rhizome in eight parts of 

 rectified spirit. 



Per. Mat. Med., vol. ii, part 1, p. 220; Steph. & Church., by 

 Burnett, vol. i, pi. 27 ; Pharmacographia, pp. 599 & 601 ; U. S. 

 Disp., by W. and B., p. 498 ; Per. Mat. Med., by B. and R., 

 p. 446 ; Groves, in Ph. Jl., vol. iii, ser. 3, p. 229. 



DESCRIPTION OF PLATE. 



Drawn from specimens grown in Kew and Chelsea Gardens. 



1. Flower with the perianth-segments removed. 



2. Transverse section of ovary. 



Iris versicolor, Linn* 



Blue Flag (of America). 

 Official Part and Name* The rhizome of this plant, which is 



