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the three outer divilions falling back, the three 
inner erect, and all joined together by their 
claws, the ftigma " petal-like." By ftripping 
off the fix-parted corol the ftigma may be 
plainly feen. Under each of it's three divi- 
fions is a ftamen preffed down upon the falling 
petals of the coroL Some fpecies have a 
beautiful fringe along the middle of thefe re- 
flected petals, which is the nectary ; others 
have another kind of nectary^ confifting of 
three honey-bearing dots, externally, at the 
bafe of the flower. The capfule alfo varies 
in different fpecies ; in fome it is three- 
cornered, in others fix- cornered. Thefe are 
obfervations on the family of the iris which 
are very ufeful. Such genera as are nearly 
allied to each other are placed in regular or- 
der; and if their affinity is great, the cir- 
cumftance which feparates them into diftinct 
families is noted. 
The circumftances of colour, miell, or 
tafte, however efTential to the ufe or agree- 
ablenefs of the flower, are liable to vary fo 
much, that they are by no means proper to 
enter into either the generic or fpecific cha- 
racters of plants, which ought always to be 
taken from fuch marks as are moft conftant. 
On 
