The San Francisco call., 1910-08-07
By KATHARINE BEALs
ms, or Fieur de Lis. "a Messnge.)


Copyright 1910, by c. Macmillan. All rights
rcserved.)
"oh Flower de luce, bloom on, and let the
Linger to kiss thy feeti
Oh flower Of song bloom on, and make for
The world more fair and sweet"
-Jongfellow Flower de luce"
RIS, the sister of the Harpies, or
Deities of the storm, represented
the rainbow. She was swift as the
wind and had wings of gold, and was
employed by Juno as her especial mes
senger, as Mercury was Jupiter's. She
carried messages unto the end Of the
earth, and even into the depths of the
seas. One day the flowers all assem-
bled at the invitation of Juno to cele-
brate the birthday of Iris. They all
came in their prettiest dresses and
were having a fine time when three
new sister flowers were seen approach
ing dressed in gowns OF red, yellow and
purple, and wearing gorgeous jewels.
No one knew who they were. At last
some one said. I'VE will call them. Iris
because they wear the colors of the
rainbow" And so they bear the name
OF the messenger of the gods.
There are more than ITO different va
rieties of iris, and they grow in almost
every country of the world.
AS one of the duties of Mercury was
TO conduct the souls of dead men to
their final resting place, so Iris per-
formed the same duty for the women.
and the Greeks used the purple iris to
decorate the graves of the women
The Egyptians introduced the flower
into architecture. AS the symbol of
eloquence and power it was placed upon
the brow of the Sphinx, and upon the
scepters of their rulers. In ancient
Babylon and Assyria the iris was rec
ognized as one of the flowers of row.
atty.
PLANT WAS USED AS MEDICINE
The ancients esteemed the iris high
ly for medical purposes. The roots.
which had many of the properties of
honey, were used in the preparation of
Al different remedies The plant when
attached to the body of an infant was
supposed to correct all the disorders
that arise from teething. Used as
syrup, 1T was said to cure coughs and
Inflammation of the throat Mixed
with vinegar 1t was good for diseases
OF the liver. Applied externally 1t
was cure for the bites of serpents
and scorpions. A powder made from
the root and mixed with honey was
used as a Splint for broken bones The
same powder, used dry was beneficial
in cases of scrofulous sores In this
latter case the person gathering the
iris should mention the name of the
patient and the disease for which it
was to be used
A Roman naturalist mentions the
nro ut ffnn ~
who. IL they think that they have not
been paid enough, keep back a portion
OF the iris, and. burying it in the same
place from which they obtained It,
thus insure recurrence of the illness
and consequent retention of their serv-
ices. An exquisite perfume was made
from some varieties of the plant,
which was much in demand by women
of fashion; also perfumed oil which
was valued addition to the toilet.
FRENCH LEGENDS ABOUT 1T
The iris is the national flower of
France, where 1t was first called feur
de lis. There are several legends in
regard TO it's adoption. According to
heraldic traditions, the ancient Franks
at proclamation of king were acus-
toned to place in his hand a reed of
flag In blossom, and later kings are
represented with the scepters orna-
mented with the same flower.
Another legend is traced to the
sixth century, when Clotilda. the wife
of Clovis, endeavored by prayers and
good deeds to bring about the conver-
sion of her warlike husband. For a
long time he resisted her efforts. At
length. having led his army against
the Huns. and being in danger of de-
feat he called for assistance upon the
god whom his wife worshiped. The
tide of battle turned he won a COM
plete victory and upon his return he
was baptized in the Christian faith.
The night after his baptism an an
gel appeared to a holy hermit. who
dwelt near the castle, and gave him a
beautiful blue shield emblazoned with
three golden fieur de lis, which he
bade the hermit take to the queen, to
give to her husband. The device OF
Clo.rin thorataforo had h1o