MARICA SABINA. 
83 
with the Florentines, are planted about the graves in Florence, as a token of respect 
to the deceased. The flowers of Xypliium have a scent greatly resembling coriander 
seed. The xiphioides is a very free seed bearer ; it is bulbous as well as Xyphium . 
The bulbs are imported annually from Holland, and should be planted early in the 
autumn. The biglumis, sisyrinchium, pallida, arenaria, tenax, Persica , & c. &c., 
must be planted in a light sandy soil, and in a situation where they will receive but 
little moisture, being for the most part very impatient of wet, particularly the 
pallida, arenaria , and tenax. The pallida should also be planted in a sunny 
situation, where it is sheltered a little from cold winds, it being more tender than 
some of the other species. It is often called the Dalmatian Iris. The tenax 
grows in open parts of the woods of North California. From the veins of the leaves 
the native tribes make fine cord, which is converted into fishing-nets ; and for its 
buoyancy, great strength, and durability, it suits this purpose admirably. The 
Persica will blow in water-glasses like hyacinths; but it flowers much stronger in a 
pot of sandy loam, sandy peat, or even pure sand. It has a most delightful fragrance 
when in blossom ; and a flower or two expanded will scent the whole apartments. 
It is not hardy, although it will blow well in the open air, but requires a degree of 
warmth and shelter. The bicolor, crassifolia, verna, dichotoma, aphylla, tuber osa, 
&c. &c., thrive the best if planted in a mixture of equal parts of rich loam and leaf 
mould, or peat. The bicolor is not perfectly hardy, but will require the shelter of 
a frame in cold weather. Its flowers are beautifully delicate, and soon become 
faded if exposed to the powerful influence of the mid-day sun ; it is therefore 
advisable to place it, during the time of flowering, on a northern aspect, where the 
delicate blossoms will continue for some time. The crassifolia requires the shelter 
of the green-house. The dichotoma, or scissor plant, should be planted in a sheltered 
part of the flower border, where it will not receive much moisture. The aphylla is 
far from being common ; I scarcely remember meeting with it in any of the gardens 
I have had the pleasure of visiting : the flowers emit a scent like the orange tree. 
The tuberosa is found growing wild both in England and Ireland : when cultivated in 
our gardens it very seldom flowers, but perhaps this, in many instances, may proceed 
from the want of a peculiar treatment. It ought always to be allowed to stand three 
years at least in the situation where it was first planted ; for if it be often removed 
it suffers damage. Towards the end of August the fibrous roots begin to grow ; 
after that time, if the soil be disturbed near the plant, the roots will be injured, 
and flowering prevented. The situation should be warm, sunny, and free from wet. 
When it produces seeds, let them be sown immediately after being gathered, in the 
same kind of light soil in which the parent plant grows. In propagating by off- 
