82 
MARICA SABINA. 
Properties of the Natural Order, Iride^e. — The plants of this order are 
generally natives of the Cape of Good Hope, Europe, and some parts of North 
America. The tropical countries produce very few species ; and though Marica 
and Morcea are found in hot climates, by far the greater part inhabit more tem- 
perate regions. Their medical properties are very trifling ; for, with few excep- 
tions, they are more remarkable for beauty than utility. The Iris Florentina , 
and Germanica, produce the fine violet-scented powder and root, sold in our 
chemists’ shops under the name of Orris root, or Iris root. The seeds of the Iris, 
pseudo-acorus , when roasted, very nearly resemble coffee in quality. Saffron is 
the dried stigmas of a crocus, which possesses a valuable colouring matter, to which 
the name of Polychroite has been given. These properties, with a few more of 
less note, may be considered as the chief uses of Iridece. The genera of this order 
are as follows : — 
Iris, 
Cypelia, 
Pardantlius, 
M or sea, 
Vieusseuxia, 
Bobartia, 
Marica, 
Homeria, 
Sisyrinchium, 
Streptanthera, 
Spatalanthus, 
Renealmia, 
Patersonia, 
Lapeyrousia, 
Sparaxis, 
Orthrosanthes, 
Anomatheca, 
Tritonia, 
Witsenia, 
Babiana, 
Ixia, 
Aristea, 
Antliolyza, 
Melaspbserula, 
Ferraria, 
Anisanthus, 
Heperantha, 
Tigridia, 
Watsonia, 
Geissorrbiza, 
Herbertia, 
Gladiolus, 
Trichonema, 
Galaxia, 
Synnotia, 
Crocus. 
Culture of the genus Iris. — The name of Iris was given to the plant by 
Theophrastus and Pliny, from the variety of its colours. This well known, but 
beautiful genus, is rarely met with in America, but it abounds in Europe. The 
chief part are tuberous rooted, and are propagated by dividing the roots, but 
some are bulbous. The modes of culture, although in almost all cases simple 
and easy, vary considerably. Some species delight in exposed, and others in shady 
situations ; some in sandy soils, and dry situations ; others in rich loamy soils, and 
moist situations ; the greater part are perfectly hardy, but some few require shelter, 
having a variety of peculiarities, which renders it necessary to mention the species 
rather particularly. A great number of them will grow without any particular care, 
in almost any soil and situation, as the Hungarica , A ertchinskia, lurida , Germanica , 
graminea, Xyphium , Nepalensis , &c. &c. The Hungarica does very well in a pot ; 
but requires, in that case, to be planted in a rich and good soil. The Germanica 
produces the colour called “ Iris green to obtain which the flowers are macerated; 
and, having been left to putrify, chalk or lime is added. This species, in connexion 
