160 BULBS AND TUBEROUS-BOOTED PLANTS. 



so variable in character, and at the same time so readily 

 distinguished as the Iris, the type of the natural order 

 IridacecB. The species abound in various parts of the 

 globe, growing under the greatest variety of conditions, 

 mostly in damp or marshy situations ; but some even in 

 dry and gravelly soils. In the various species may be 

 found some of our most charming and desirable herba- 

 ceous plants, suited to all soils and conditions, either in 

 sun or shade. Some of the species have tuberous roots, 

 others creeping root-stalks or rhizomes ; while others, 

 including, perhajDs, the most beautiful species of all, 

 have fibrous roots. The flowers of each and all, widely 

 as the plants may differ in form or habit, have a form 

 and beauty peculiarly their own. They have been very 

 appropriately considered the connecting link between 

 the Lilies and the Orchids. 



Bulbous Iris. — This is the first of the three large 

 and distinct sections into which the Iris genus has been 

 divided. These are Bulbous, Tuberous and Japanese. 



I. Vulgare (Xiphium, or Spanish). — This is one 

 of the most common species known to the trade, the 

 bulbs beiug annually sent out with the Dutch bulbs 

 in autumn. The flowers are very beautiful, and of va- 

 rious colors, quite fragrant, appearing in June. These 

 bulbs are classed perfectly hardy, but they will not endure 

 much frost ; perhaps it is because they exhaust them- 

 selves in reproduction, as they increase rapidly by off- 

 sets. TThen the offsets are not required for propagation, 

 the foreign gardeners push them off as soon as they 

 appear, in order that the bulbs may not be weakened. 

 The leaves remain green the entire winter, and for their 

 protection the plants should be slightly covered with 

 leaves in Autumn, in a changeable climate. Most of 

 the bulbs of this species, sold as varieties, are seedlings, 

 hybrids between this species and /. xipliioides. 



I. xiphioides (/. anglica, English). — The bulbs 

 of this species somewhat resemble the foregoing, but are 



