THE CROCUS 
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are powdered^ and used for the same purposes s.s gall- 
nuts, The root of the Iris florentina, a native of the south 
of Europe, forms the orris root so often used as a denti- 
frice. Lyte says of it, The iris is knowen of the cloth- 
workers and drapers, for with these rootes they use to 
trimme their clothes to make them sweete and pleasant.” 
This was probably the “ swete clothe” so celebrated in 
the reign of Elizabeth. This root is much used in Russia 
to flavour a drink sold about the streets, made of honey 
and ginger. 
The word iris is the Egyptian word for eye ; and this 
name, meaning the eye of Eleaven, has been given to this 
genus on account of the varied colours of its handsome 
flowers. 
