for the Hyacinth; only that these will not so well bear to be reserved for late planting, because they are apt to shrink. It is better on this account to plant them in October, or soon after; at any rate by the end of the year. But they are thought to flower stronger in pots: they like a light sandy earth, and take delight in the morning sun: the more fresh air they have allowed them, when not frosty, the better they will thrive. The earth should be kept always moist; and, when the flowers and leaves have decayed, the bulbs should be treated as those of the Hyacinth. After they have lain out of the ground about a month, they should be frequently examined; for if they begin to shrink, they must be planted immediately. The bulbs should be set two inches deep, from the surface of the earth to the top of the crown.

The Chalcedonian Iris-in French, l'iris de Suse, or de Constantinople—has also very large flowers, and is the most magnificent of them all; but the petals are very thin, and hang in a kind of slatternly manner, which makes it appear, to some persons, less handsome than others which are smaller. It likes a loamy earth, and sunny exposure; this species must be very sparingly watered: moisture favours the growth of all the other kinds; but it will injure this to give it more than will preserve the earth from absolute drought. It may be increased by parting the roots in autumn; and during the winter months it will be safer to give it house-room. This flower is called, by old writers, the Turkey Flower-de-luce.

The Snakes-head Iris may be increased in the same manner, but must be kept moist, and needs no winter shelter: the flower is dark purple, approaching to black.

The Twice-flowering Iris-in French, l'irès des deux saisons-(so called because it flowers both in spring and

autumn) the Various-coloured, the Pale-yellow, the Grassleaved, and the Siberian, may be treated as the Snakeshead species: they like an eastern aspect.

To these may be added the Florentine Iris, White Fleur-de-luce, or Flower-de-luce of Florence-in French, la flambe blanche-and the Crocus-rooted Iris, or Spanish Nut: these should be housed in winter, but merely to protect them from frost. The root of the former, corruptly called orrice, is used to communicate a violet scent to hairpowder, oils, and syrup.

But it is useless to enumerate more: these already named are the best adapted for pots, and the Persian Iris is far preferable to all the others. Irises may be removed every year, or second year, as most convenient. The Persian may be kept till the third.

The Common Yellow Iris is called Water-flag; Yellowflag; Water-sedge; in Scotland, Water-skeggs; Lugsin French, le glayeul des marais [marsh-flag]; la flambe bâtarde [false iris]; le faux acore [false acorus]; la flambe aquatique [water iris]; le glàyeul à fleur jaune [yellow flag]:-Italian, iride gialla.-This and several other kinds have valuable medicinal properties: the root may be used instead of galls, in making ink, or black dye. The seeds are the best substitute for coffee, hitherto discovered. The juice is sometimes used as a cosmetic for removing freckles, &c., and a most beautiful colour for painting has been prepared from the flowers.

"Many of the African kinds," says Mr. Martyn, "are eaten both by men and monkeys; and the roots, when boiled, are esteemed pleasant and nourishing."

Although the Iris is not considered as a Lily, the French have given it the name of one; it is the Fleur-delys, which figures in the arms of France. The Abbe la

Pluche, in La Spectacle de la Nature, gives the following conjectural origin of this name:

"The upper part of one leaf of the Lily, when fully expanded, and the two contiguous leaves beheld in profile, have," he observes, "a faint likeness to the top of the Flower-de-luce: so that the original Flower-de-luce, which often appears on the crowns and sceptres in the monuments of the first and second race of kings, was most probably a composition of these three leaves. Lewis the Seventh engaged in the second crusade; distinguished himself, as was customary in those times, by a particular blazon, and took this figure for his coat of arms; and as the common people generally contracted the name of Lewis into Luce, it is natural," says the Abbe, "to imagine that this flower was, by corruption, distinguished in process of time by the name of Flower-de-luce." But some antiquaries are of opinion, that the original arms of the Franks were three toads; which, becoming odious, were gradually changed, so as to have no positive resemblance of any natural object, and named Fleur-de-lys. Shakspeare appears to consider this flower as a Lily only by courtesy:

"lilies of all kinds,

The Flower-de-luce being one."

G. Fletcher gives a pretty picture of this flower:

"The Flowers-de-Luce, and the round sparks of dew

That hung upon their azure leaves did shew

Like twinkling stars, that sparkle in the evening blue."

Drayton expressly distinguishes the Flower-de-luce from the Lily.

"The Lily, and the Fleur-de-lis,

For colour much contenting!

For that I them do only prize,

They are but poor in scenting."

The poet seems not to have been acquainted with the Persian Iris, which has so fine a perfume.

Spenser also distinguishes the Flower-de-luce from the Lily, though acknowledging the connexion :

"The Lilly, lady of the flowering field,
The Flower-de-luce, her lovely paramour,
Bid thee to them thy fruitless labours yield,
And soon leave off this toilsome weary stour:
Lo! lo! how brave she decks her bounteous bower
With silken curtains, and gold coverlets,
Therein to shroud her sumptuous balamour;
Yet neither spins, nor card, ne cares, nor frets,
But to her mother Nature all her cares she lets."

Mrs. C. Smith gives a lively picture of the Yellow, or Water Iris.

"Amid its waving swords, in flaming gold
The Iris towers

IXIA.

GLADIOLEE.

TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA

THERE are many species of Ixia, varying in colour: they have bulbous roots, and may be increased by their offsets; but they will not flower well if parted oftener than every third year. In the autumn the stalks and leaves decay; the roots should then be put under shelter for the winter, unless it is designed to remove them; in which case they may be treated in the same manner as the Hyacinth, and bulbs in general, and may be replanted any time between October and January. They may stand abroad in the summer, and should then have a little water every evening: they should be sparingly watered in winter, when left in the earth. Pots three inches in diameter, and five

in depth, will be large enough for these plants: the bulbs should be covered about an inch deep.

LABIATE.

JERUSALEM-SAGE.

PHLOMIS.

DIDYNAMIA GYMNOSPERMIA.

Called also Tree-sage.-French, bouillon blanc de Sicile [white mullein of Sicily]; sauge en arbrisseau; sauge en arbre.

THIS shrub retaining its leaves all the year, and its bright yellow flowers the greater part of the summer, is very desirable. It should be sheltered from severe frost; but in mild winters, if not convenient to house it, a little saw-dust laid over the roots will be a sufficient protection. In dry summer weather it may be allowed a little water every evening: once or twice a week will suffice in the winter, and none during frost.

JESSAMINE.

JASMINUM.

JASMINEE.

DIANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

The name of this plant is derived from the Greek, and signifies an agreeable odour. Nearly all the European languages have the same name for it.—In French, it is jasmin: in Italian, gelsomino: Spanish, jasmin: Dutch, jasmyn, &c. &c. In English it is sometimes familiarly called Jessamy, Jessima, and Gesse.

THE kinds of Jessamine most frequently grown in pots are the Yellow Indian, and the Spanish or Catalonian.