This species is found wild on the Pyrenean mountains; was an inhabitant of our gardens in the time of PARKINSON (who has very accurately described it, noticing even its three stamina) to which, however, it has been a stranger for many years:  it has lately been re-introduced, but is as yet very scarce.  Our figure was taken from a specimen which flowered in Mr. LEE’s Nursery at Hammersmith.

It grows with as much readiness as any of the others of the genus, and flowers in March and April.

[49]

Soldanella alpina.  Alpine Soldanella.

Class and Order.

Pentandria Monogynia.

Generic Character.

Corolla campanulata, lacero-multifida. Caps. 1-locularis, apice multidentata.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

SOLDANELLA alpina. Lin.  Syst.  Vegetab. p. 194.

SOLDANELLA alpina rotundifolia. Bauh.  Pin. 295.

[Illustration:  49]

Of this genus there is at present only one known species, the alpina here figured, which is a native of Germany, and, as its name imports, an alpine plant.

Its blossoms are bell-shaped, of a delicate blue colour, sometimes white, and strikingly fringed on the edge.

It flowers usually in March, in the open ground; requires, as most alpine plants do, shade and moisture in the summer, and the shelter of a frame, in lieu of its more natural covering snow, in the winter; hence it is found to succeed best in a northern aspect:  will thrive in an open border, but is more commonly kept in pots.

May be increased by parting its roots early in autumn.

[50]

Iris sibirica.  Siberian Iris.

Class and Order.

Triandria Monogynia.

Generic Character.

Cor. 6-petala, inaequalis, petalis alternis geniculato-patentibus. Stigmata petaliformia, cucullato-bilabiata. Thunb.  Diss. de Iride.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

IRIS sibirica imberbis foliis linearibus, scapo subtrifloro tereti, germinibus trigonis. Lin.  Syst.  Vegetab. p. 91.

IRIS pratensis angustifolia, non foetida altior. Bauh.  Pin. 32.

IRIS bicolor. Miller’s Dict. ed. 6, 4to.

The greater blue Flower-de-luce with narrow leaves. Parkins.  Parad. p. 185. fig. 2.

[Illustration:  50]

This species of Iris is a native of Germany and Siberia, and is distinguished from those usually cultivated in our gardens by the superior height of its stems, and the narrowness of its leaves; from which last character it is often, by mistake, called graminea; but the true graminea is a very different plant.

The Iris sibirica is a hardy perennial, and will thrive in almost any soil or situation; but grows most luxuriantly in a moist one, and flowers in June.