X. lEIDE^. 785 



the edge of tlie septum, sometimes coherent in a persistent central free column 

 {Pardanthus). Seeds usually numerous, sub-globose, or [usually horizontally] com- 

 pressed, sometimes margined or winged; testa membranous, loose or papery, 

 sometimes coriaceous or fleshy; raphe usually free, or easily separable; albumen 

 fleshy or cartilaginous, sometimes sub-horny. Embrto axile or concentric, usually 

 half the length of the albumen ; radicle reaching to the hilum, situation variable. 



[Iridece have been divided into the following sub-orders by Klatt : — 



SuB-OEDEE I. Gladiolej!. — Spathe 2-valved.. Filaments free, unequal ; stigmas filiform. 

 *Gladiolus, *Waisonm, *8paraxis, Anthohjxa, Diasia, Tritonia, liabiana, *Oalaxia, *Witsema, 

 *Anom.atheca, *Aristea, &c. 



SuB-OEBEE II. Ieideji propee, — Spathe mnmy-valved, outer herbaceous, inner membranous. 

 Filaments equal, free or connate at the base. Stigmas petaloid. *Moraea, *Gi^v/ra, Xiphium, 

 Dietes, Vi/plarrhena, *Ins, &c. 



Sdb-oedee III. CyPELLBj). — Spathe 2- or many-valved. Perianth-segments unequal. 

 Filaments connate at the base. Stigmas dilated. PardantJius, Gypella, Libertia, &c. 



SuB-OEDEE rV. SiSTEiNCHiEJ). — Spathe 2-valved. Filaments connate throughout their 

 length. Stigmas simple, or involute-filiform. Heriertia, *Vieusseuxia, *Tigridia, *Ferraria, 

 Patersonia, *Sisyrinchium, *Gelasine, *Sijdrotmnia, &c. 



SuB-OEDEE V. IxiBJ!. — Spathe 2-valved. Filaments equal, free. Stigmas linear (except 

 Crocus). *Ixia, Hesperantha, Geissorhiza, Trichonema,*Grocus, &c. — Ed.] 



IridecB are distinguished from other Monocotyledons -with inferior ovaries by their trinary andrcecium, 

 extrorse anthers, and the petaloid stigmas of most of the genera. They have some affinity with £w- 

 manmacecs and Hasmodoracets (which see). 



Iriders are much more extra-tropical in hoth hemispheres than tropical ; South Africa contains a 

 great number and variety of species, as does Mexico, but they are rare in Asia. Many genera are 

 exclusively African (Sparaxis, Vieusseuxia, &c,), or American (Sisijrmchium, Jlydrotcenia), or Australian 

 (Patersonia). whilst several others are dispersed over Australasia aod the American continent. Iris 

 inhabits the north temperate regions. Gladiolus and Triehonema, which abound in South Africa, advance 

 as far as the Mediterranean region and Central Europe. Croeiis inhabits sub-alpine regions and the plains 

 of Europe and temperate Asia. 



The tuberous or bulbous rhizomes of Irideis contain a small proportion of a fatty and acrid matter, 

 and a large quantity of starch, combined with a pecuhar volatile oil, which gives them stimulating pro- 

 perties. Some species lose their acridity by drying or boiling, and their tubers may be used as emol- 

 lients or even as food ; such are several South African species, which are eaten by the Hottentots. The 

 rhizome of h-iijkn-entina is medicinally the most important of the family ; when fresh it is a strong purga- 

 tive ■ dried it stimulates moderately the pulmonary and gaatro-intestinal mucous membranes ; it enters 

 into several pharmaceutical preparations, and its violet scent is a well-known perfume [Orris-root] ; little 

 balls of it called Iris peas, are used to maintain suppuration after cautery. I. germunica and pallida were 

 formerly used as diuretics and purgatives. The tubers of the Flag or Bog Iris (/. Pseud-ac.oriis), the 

 taste of which is acrid and as!i!ngent, are still administered by some country doctors in dropsy and chronic 

 diarrhoea. Those of I. virginiea and versicolor are similarly prescribed in North iVmerica. I. sibirica is 

 considered an antisyphilitic in North Asia. The rhizome of I. /(stidissivia was renowned among the 

 ancients for the cure of hysteria and scrofula. The bulbs of Sisyrinchitim galaxioides, Ferraria purgans 

 and cathartica and Libertia ivioides, are used in South America as purgatives and diuretics. Pardanthus 

 cliinensis has a high repute in India as an aperient. The root of Gladiolus comnmnis is made into an 

 amulet by the superstitious peasants of Germany ; that of G. segetmn was anciently considered an emme- 

 nao-oo-ue and aphrodisiac. The bulbs of Morcsa collina, of the Cape, ai'e very poisonous, and have the 

 same effects as Fungi. 



3 B 



