0 
(A 
Iris. 
MESSAGE.) 
Iris, typical of a message, claims the whole world as 
I her country, different members of the family dwelling in 
every quarter of the globe. Some of the species have very large 
flowers, and, from their colours being very vivid, an ^ Severn 
uniting in the same blossom, are extremely showy, 
sian Iris is the most esteemed for the beauty and fragrance of 
its flowers : a few of them will perfume a whole room Their 
colours are a mixture of pale sky-blue, purple, ye ow and 
sometimes white. It is from their brilliant and diversified hues 
resembling those of the rainbow, that they have been named 
after the messenger of the gods. It is well known that the an 
Iris was the bearer of good news only. d - 
The Chalcedonian Iris has also very large floweis, and 
deemed the most magnificent of them all; but the petals are 
very thin, and hang in a kind of slatternly manner, maki g 
ff appear to some persons less handsome than others which 
are smaller. This flower is termed by old writers the Tuikish 
^ The common Yellow Iris is generally called the Flag. This, 
and several of its kindred, have valuable medicinal and mei- 
c.antile uses, whilst the seeds are the best substitute for coffee 
hitherto discovered. The juice is sometimes used as a cosmetic 
for removing freckles, and a most lovely colour for painting is 
P Xny oftheAffRaTkinds of this flower, Mr. Martyn tells 
U Ykhough e theiris ^not'de^ 
it the name of one : it is the veritable fieur-de-lis which figuicd 
in the former arms of France. 
