NAT. ORDER. IRIDE^i 
pagated by them without difficulty, requiring about the same 
treatment as other plants of a similar character. Some authors 
describe the flowers as being painted in the most gay and lively 
colors ; but in all the specimens which we have seen, the blossoms 
have been of a pale, or faded, yellowish color, shaded in particu- 
lar parts with very fine pencillings, especially on the under side. 
Most authors describe the flowering-stems as producing only two 
flowers. Linnffius has observed that they sometimes produce 
many ; and we have seen them do so, where the plant has grown 
in perfection. 
Medical Properties and Uses. Most of the plants comprising 
this order are more remarkable for their beautiful fugitive flowers 
than for utility. A few are stimulating ; some diuretic ; and quite 
a number purgative. The Gladeolus tristis is a powerful cathartic, 
and has been used as such for many years in all the eastern coun- 
tries. In the United States, its use is but little known, and re- 
quires to be further investigated, and its properties more particu- 
larly defined, before it is brought into general practice. By some 
this plant has been considered as a powerful emmenagogue, and 
has been used for particular purposes, for which that class of 
plants are so notorious. 
The establishment of this class has occasioned considerable 
hypercriticism ; yet, as pointing out a change to be produced, it is 
equally proper with emetics or cathartics ; nor is it an objection, 
that we must produce the change through some medium, and not 
by any direct action on the vessels themselves. All emraenagogues 
are generally or partially stimulants, tonics, or anti-spasraodics ; 
and hence have a direct action upon those organs which are cal- 
culated to promote haemorrhage. The dose of the extract is from 
two to five grains, which may safely be given three times a day 
That of the decoction is from half to a whole fluid ounce. Both 
the extract and decoction are prepared after the manner of other 
similar preparations. 
