ORRIS ROOT. 17 
A field of saffron will continue in perfection for three 
or four years, yielding progressively, during this period, 
more numerous and larger flowers, as well as an in- 
crease of the bulbous roots ; after which the offsets may 
be advantageously transplanted to other situations. 
The saffron which is grown in England is considered 
superior to any that is imported from other countries. 
The best saffron may be known by the breadth of the 
blades. It ought not to be of too deep a red or orange 
colour, and should be fresh and tough, and have a 
strong but pleasant aromatic odour. Saffron should 
not be kept more than twelve months. 
Saffron was much used by the ancients as a perfume, 
but, in this respect, their taste was very different from 
ours. Not only were the halls, theatres, and courts, 
through which' they wished to diffuse an agreeable 
smell, strewed with this substance, but it was used by 
them for a scent, in vinous extracts. From saffron, 
with the addition of wax, the Greeks, as well as the 
Romans, prepared scented salves. In our own country 
it was formerly much used in medicine ; having been 
esteemed an excellent remedy in hysterical and other 
complaints. When taken in small doses, it tends to 
exhilarate the spirits ; but it ought to be used with 
great moderation. It is sometimes used by bakers, to 
colour and flavour different kinds of cakes and biscuits. 
With water or spirits it gives out a beautiful yellow 
colour ; but this is not useful as a dye, as, on exposure 
to the air, it soon fades ; and no means have hitherto 
been discovered by which it can be fixed and rendered 
permanent. 
24. ORRIS ROOT is the root of a white flozcered kind of 
iris, called Florentine Iris (Iris Florentina), which is a native 
of Italy, and is distinguished by having two flowers on each 
stalk, the petals bearded, and the leaves sword-shaped. 
In a dried state this root is well known on account of 
its grateful odour, which somewhat approaches that of 
the violet. It is consequently much used in the manu- 
