THE 1X18, 127 
an open situation are requisite to ensure a good growth 
of Irs Kempfer’, and it thrives best in open beds. . 
A third section comprises those known in gardens as 
Crimean irises, Zi/s pumilu. These are of dwarf growth ; 
they flower freely, and are very gay, while their neatness 
of habit fits them for edging flower-beds, and of course 
they would be appropriate to give a finish to beds con- 
taining the larger and grander varieties. The colours that 
prevail amongst these dwarf irises are purple, dark blue, 
pale blue, straw-yellow, and white. They will thrive in 
any soil, but attain to their fullest perfection in a rather 
dry, deep sandy loam or sandy peat. They have increased 
and flowered freely on our heavy, damp clay, and therefore 
we are not afraid to say that any soil will suit them. 
It is proper now to remark upon a few species that are 
calculated to afford much entertainment to the amateur of 
hardy plants, and it is the more desirable to mention them 
in this notice, because they are at once cheap, beautiful, 
interesting, and but little known beyond the narrow circle 
of advanced Horists and horticultural botanists. Jris cris- 
fata comes near to the Crimean iris in general characters ; 
the flowers are blue, with deeper blue spots, and wavy ribs, 
or “crests,” tinted yellow and orange. Jris Mlorentina 
may be added to the Germanic group as nearly related to 
them ; the Howers are white, with a blue tinge and a yellow 
beard, agreeably fragrant. Jris feetidissema has a bad 
name, but it is a fine plant, bearing lead-coloured or dull 
yellow flowers, which are succeeded by clusters of scarlet 
berries, that are very useful in Christmas decorations. A 
damp situation suits this plant. The variegated-leaved 
variety is one of the handsomest plants of its class in 
cultivation. Iris tberica is a remarkable plant, with 
