which form a sort of spurious calyx or zvolucre ; and the nature of this involucre is the character 
which chiefly limits the genus Sparazis. 
It may appear unphilosophical to limit genera by characters seemingly of so slight importance 
as the nature of involucral leaves. But, until we have investigated a fact of nature, it is 
impossible to judge of the value of characters, for purposes of classification ; and, in Tridem, 
very important aid is derived from the involucre. The form and substance of this part often 
affords good generic characters ; and, an attention to its position, will divide the order into two 
very natural groups. In one of these, to which our Sparazis and all the Ixioid genera belong, 
the involucre is placed immediately at the base of the ovary: in other words, the flowers are 
sessile. In the other group, including Iris, Morea, Tigridia, Galaxia, &c., a pedicel or stalk 
intervenes between the involucre and the ovary. And it is worth being noticed, as confirming 
the natural character of these two sub-orders that the flowers in the first persist for several days, 
while in the last they invariably perish in a few hours. 
Sparaxis pendula is found wild in the eastern districts of the Colony, in many places ; and is 
deservedly a favourite in colonial gardens in the districts where it does not occur in a state of 
nature. 
