224 
ON THE IRIS. 
BY MR. R. PLANT. 
In continuing my remarks on bulbous and tuberous-rooted 
plants, the next in importance to the Flower-Gardener is the Iris. 
The word Iris, we are informed, signified in the ancient Egyptian 
language, “ Eye,” or “ Eye of Heaven,” a term not inappropriate 
to this lovely genus. It also has received much notice from modern 
as well as ancient nations, though not so much cultivated now as 
some years back—at which time it was a reigning favourite, inso¬ 
much so that the Caffres, from whom great quantities were pro¬ 
cured, call it “ White-man’s-flower.” Now, though we maypossibly 
be able to spare a few of the minor species of this extensive genus, 
to make room for, and in compliment to, our more recent intro¬ 
ductions, when we consider the profusion of flowers, the variety 
of colour, and the ease with which it is grown, this plant will be 
found to occupy a place of no mean importance. 
There are about 150 species of Iris, for the greater part tube¬ 
rous-rooted, hardy, herbaceous plants ; about six species are bul¬ 
bous ; and all, or nearly all, highly ornamental, and fully deserving 
the oriental appellation so long ago bestowed on them. Two only 
are natives of Britain—Pseudacorus and Foetidissimi, both medi¬ 
cinal, but not worth notice to the florist. At the head of all the 
tuberous species stands I.Susiana. This is indeed a most singular, 
yet beautiful species. To say it resembles the livid markings on 
the back of a toad is perhaps no great inducement to the amateur ; 
yet to nothing but that, or the flowers of Cereopegia elegans, 
can it be compared. Some difficulty is occasionally felt in causing 
this plant to blow ; but if planted in a warm situation, on a rich 
friable loam, and left undisturbed, it will flower freely in the course 
of two, or at most three years. It will bear forcing under judicious 
management : for this purpose, choose a strong root, and in No¬ 
vember put it into a large pot (32), using a mixture of loam and 
peat, with sufficient sand to keep it open ; keep it in a cold frame 
till January, when the heat must be increased very gradually till 
it will bear the stove, which should be about the beginning of 
March, and as soon as the flower is expanded, remove it into the 
greenhouse. This, though attended with trouble, is repaid with 
one of the most extraordinary flowers in nature. 
