80 PLANTS GROWING IN MOIST SOIL, 
flower it would seem as though we have a touch of the spirit 
and pride of Juno, When it unfolds itself, with an almost con- 
scious air of its own beauty, we are reminded of the bird that 
opens and parades his gorgeous tail, whenever he finds himself 
the centre of admiration. Anda bit of Iris’s scarf must have 
been wafted to it for its gown; for the colours blend together 
while being distinct, as in the rainbow. The ancients thought 
the iris a sacred flower and associated it with the future state 
of the blessed. | 
The graceful beauty is, however, not all fuss and feathers. 
It has the same wisdom as many unpretentious flowers and 
knows how to accomplish its mission in the world. By a deep 
central veining it informs the bee of the road he must travel to 
reach the land of nectar ; and when he has sipped and raises 
his head from under the anthers, the careless fellow finds his 
back heavy with gold that he must carry off to the stigma of 
another flower. Indeed, of all politicians the bees are the most 
conscientious, 
CRESTED DWARF-IRIS. (Plate XXXV,) 
Irz¢s cristata. 
This is one of the sturdy dwarf irises, which follows the Al- 
leghanies and chooses the rocky banks of streams for its dwell- 
ing place. It blossoms in April and May and is of a soft violet 
blue. The flower is spreading, with a much longer tube than 
_that of the Z versicolar. Its outer divisions are prettily crested. 
The leaves are not conspicuous ; lanceolate and clasping. 
POINTED BLUE-EYED GRASS. (Plate XXXVT) 
Stsyrinchium angustifolium. 
FAMILY COLOUR ODOUR RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 
EAS Blue with yellow centre. Scentless. General. May-A ugust. 
Flowers: solitary; growing from a pair of green bracts. Perzanth : of six 
divisions that terminate in a sharp point. Stamens: three. ists]: one. 
Leaves: linear; grass-like; pale; glaucous. 
These bright little peep-eyes that attract our attention among 

