Order 8. The =Iridaceæ= have _epigynous_, hermaphrodite flowers with petaloid perianth as in the Amaryllidaceæ, but the _interior whorl of stamens is entirely suppressed_, and the 3 developed _outer_ stamens have _extrorse_ anthers (Fig. 279); there is 1 style with 3 large, generally _more or less leaf-like branches bearing the stigmas_. Ovary and capsule as in the Amaryllidaceæ and Liliaceæ.--Perennial herbs; _bulbs are rarely found_, but horizontal rhizomes, corms, etc., take their place. The leaves are (except _Crocus_) as in the _Iris_, _two-rowed_, _equitant_ and _sword-like_. Flowers or inflorescences terminal. The _Iris_ (Flag) has a horizontal rhizome. The flowers are borne in the leaf-axils in fan-like inflorescences (rhipidium). The branches of the style are large and _petaloid_; on their under surface may be seen a small projecting shelf (Fig. 312 _a_) having on its upper surface the stigmatic hairs. Beneath the branches of the style are 3 well protected stamens, and immediately outside these the external perianth-leaves. ~The honey is secreted in the perianth-tube, and the insects, endeavouring to obtain it through the narrow passages at the base of the stamens, settle upon the outer perianth-leaves, which are bent backwards and often very hairy along their central line. The insects then rub their backs on the anthers just above them, beneath the branches of the style; they readily deposit the pollen on the stigma of another flower as they enter it, but cannot do so in withdrawing, since the stigma is pushed back, and self-fertilisation is thus avoided. The stylar branches lie close to the outer perianth-leaves, which are just beneath them, or separated by a distance of only 6–10 mm.; the first form of flower is adapted for _Rhingia rostrata_, the latter for bees~.--_Crocus_ has vertical, _tuberous_, underground stems surrounded by the leaf-sheaths (corms), and terminal flowers; the linear leaves _are not equitant_, but have two longitudinal furrows on the under side. The perianth is gamophyllous and funnel-shaped. The stylar branches (stigmas) are fleshy, _rolled together in the shape of a horn_, and split along the edge.--_Gladiolus_ has corms like the _Crocus_; spikes with slightly zygomorphic, almost bilabiate flowers, most frequently turning to one side. Position of the leaves as in the Iris.--~_Diplarrhena_ has 2 fertile and 1 barren stamen; _Hermodactylus_ has a unilocular ovary with 3 parietal placentæ. _Cypella_ and _Tigridia_ have bulbs.~ [Illustration: FIG. 312.--_Iris pseudacorus._ One external and two internal perianth-leaves, and one of the stylar-branches have been removed, _y_ The outer, _i_ the inner perianth-leaves; _g_ stylar-branch; _a_ stigma; _s_ anther. The ovary is seen in longitudinal section.]