The following is an excerpt from Flora's Lexicon: The
Language of Flowers, originally printed in 1860,
reprinted by Algrove Publishing Limited, 2001.
The Iris
This plant is supposed to have been named after Juno's
attendant because its colours are similar to those bestowed
on the messenger of that goddess by poets and mythological
writers. Iris is usually portrayed as descending from
a rainbow; and the eye of heaven (Plutarch says that
is the meaning of the word Iris) is not more variegated
than the flower that has been honoured by her name.
Iris,
on saffron wings array'd with dew
Of various colours, through the sunbeams
flew. |
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Virgil
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