DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FLOWERS. 251 
IRIS,—FLowen-pe-Lvce. 
(The Greek name for the rainbow, applied to this genus on account of its 
varied colors.] 
“The Flowers-de-Luce, and the round sparks of dew 
That hung upon their azure leaves did show 
Like twinkling stars, that sparkle in the evening dew.” 
According to. Plutarch, the word Iris is signified in the 
ancient Egyptian language, eye ; the eye of heaven. This 
beautiful genus abounds in Europe, but is rare in America. 
Some are bulbous, but the greater part tuberous rooted, 
of easy culture, and propagated by seed or division of 
_ the root. 
Iris Susi4na.—Chalcedonian Iris —In French, L’iris de 
Suse, or de Constantinople, is one of the most beautiful 
of the genus; it is not a bulbous root, but tuberous, im- 
ported with bulbous roots from Holland, and planted at 
the same time, and manner, except that the soil should be 
of a more loamy character. It has the largest flowers of 
any of the species, and is the most magnificent of them all. 
The colors of the flowers are of various shades of the 
richest purplish-brown, beautifully mottled and spotted, 
80 as to give it avery rich and unique appearance. It 
produces its flowers in June, on stems a foot high. It 
may be increased by parting the roots in autumn. This 
splendid flower is reputed to be tender; but I have planted 
it in October and November and even in December, with 
success, giving the same protection as to Tulips or Hya- 
cinths; but, if the roots are suffered to remain in the 
ground after flowering, it is not so likely to flower again, 
and will probably perish. If left in the ground through 
the summer, it commences growing in autumn, forms its 
flower-buds before winter sets in, and dies. Observing 
this, I have taken up the roots the first of August, and 
kept them out of the ground till the time of planting 
in autumn, with perfect success. After drying, the roots 
should be kept in a cool place in dry moss or sand. 
