_Class and Order._

TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cor._ 6-petala, inæqualis, petalis alternis geniculato-patentibus.
_Stigmata_ petaliformia, cucullato-bilabiata.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

IRIS _Surfing_ barbata foliis ensiformibus glabris, scapo unifloro,
petalis rotundatis. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. p. 88._

IRIS Surfing flore maximo et albo nigricante. _Bauh. Pin. 31._

The great Turkey Flower-de-luce. _Park. Parad. 179._

[Illustration: No 91]

This species, by far the most magnificent of the Iris tribe, is a native
of Persia, from a chief city of which it takes the name of Surfing;
LINNÆUS informs us, that it was imported into Holland from
Constantinople in 1573.

Though an inhabitant of a much warmer climate than our own, it thrives
readily in the open borders of our gardens; and, in certain favourable
situations, flowers freely about the latter end of May or beginning of
June. It succeeds best in a loamy soil and sunny exposure, with a pure
air moisture, which favours the growth of most of the genus, is