This name signifies rainbow, and is so called on account of its variety of colors, and is the same which was known and described by Pliny, nearly two thousand years ago. It is known in England, and in this country, as one of the varieties of the Flower-deluce. The genus presents, according to the best accounts, about seventy species, some of which are found in almost every part of the globe. They greatly differ, both in size and appearance, some being from three to six feet high, while others are only as many inches. They are mostly perennial herbaceous plants, some of which have bulbous roots.

Propagation and Culture. The Iris pumila grows wild in many parts of Hungary: it seeks open and hilly situations, and flowers in the month of April: it is a hardy plant, and will thrive in almost any soil or situation. It is propagated by parting its roots in autumn, or by seeds. Gardeners, in former days, not having that profusion of plants to cultivate and ornament their gardens which we can at present boast, appear to have been more zealous to increase generally the varieties of the several species, which they were then in possession of: accordingly, we find in the Paradisus terrestris of the venerable Parkinson, no less than seven varieties of the Flower-de-luce, viz.: the lesser purple dwarf Flower-de-luce, with white blossoms; do. one with straw-colored blossoms; do. one with pale blue blossoms; do. one with blush-colored blossoms; do. one with yellow variable blossoms; and the purple dwarf Sea Flower-de-luce of the same author, is probably no other than a variety.

Medical Properties and Uses. This plant, and nearly all its varieties, are more valuable as an ornament to the flower-garden, than a medicine. It was used at one time by the ancients, and recommended for the cure of chronic diarrhoea, dysentery colic, and pains in the bowels: its use, however, at this time, is discarded from practice in medicine. This root, with many other of its species, enter largely into the composition of various tooth powders.

Capsules, five

Gen. Char. Calyx, double: outer many leaved.

celled, with many seeds.

Spe. Char.
Leaves, sub-peltate, cordate, seven-angled, serrate.
Stem, hispid.

THE root of this beautiful plant is perennial, fleshy, long, whitish, and furnished with a large number of wire-like fibres: the stem is erect, round, hairy, strong, branched, and rises from two to three feet in height; the leaves are numerous, oval, divided into five or seven lobes, unequally serrated or notched at the edges, and stand upon long, round, hairy footstalks; the flowers are large and of a beautiful changeable scarlet color, consisting of five petals, which are inversely heart-shaped, sinuated at the apex, of a yellowish pink or scarlet color, painted with veins of a deeper hue, and stand upon slender peduncles, which proceed from the bottom of the leaf-stalks; the calyx is double; the outer composed of three, and the inner of five oval pointed hairy segments; the stamens are numerous, united at the base in a cylindrical form; above separate, bending downwards, and furnished with kidney-shaped anthers; the germen is roundish; the style is cylindrical, short, and furnished with many filiform stigmas; the seeds are numerous, of a kidney shape, and covered with a coat, or arillus, which opens inwardly. This plant grows wild in hedges and waste grounds, and flowers from June till September.

Vol. iii.-46.

The Hibiscus rosea is a native of China, but is now quite common in the flower-gardens, both in this and the old countries, where it forms one of the chief ornaments to decorate the hedges in autumn. We view it, however, with less delight, as its splendid blossoms are a sure indication of approaching winter.

There are many varieties of this plant mentioned by authors, such as the purple, the red-flowered, the white-flowered, the variegated red and white-flowered, and the striped-flowered, to which may be added, another variety, lately introduced, with double flowers. It varies also in its foliage, which is sometimes marked with white, and sometimes with yellow.

Propagation and Culture. From the lateness of its flowering, and the want of sufficient warmth, this plant rarely ripens its seeds. with us the usual mode of increasing it is by layers, and sometimes by cuttings; but the best plants are raised from seeds. We would remark, that, in order to increase and multiply the scarce varieties, they may bo grafted on each other, which is the common method of propagating those valuable sorts with striped leaves.

Medical Properties and Uses. The leaves and flowers of this plant are the parts directed for medicinal purposes, although the roots were at one time considered preferable for some purposes; as sirups, poultices, &c., for which purpose the roots are washed clean, and boiled in a sufficient quantity of water to extract all of their strength; after which the liquor is strained off, and one pound of honey added to every quart of the liquor, and one sixth part of good gin: have this well mixed, when it is ready for use. This sirup was used principally for its diuretic qualities, but never gained much celebrity. The roots were boiled until they became quite soft; then mashed to pulp, and applied in this form as poultices. In this way it is said to have been the means of performing some astonishing cures.